Climate change is speeding the spread of global pathogens. As the planet warms and more animals move toward the poles, researchers expect diseases to spread to new territories, leaving Antarctic wildlife vulnerable. Molecular ecologist and #NatGeoExplorer Jane Younger tested Antarctic marine life in the Southern Ocean for bird flu to better understand how the pathogen is spreading to the continent and around the globe. Younger is optimistic that fieldwork like hers will serve as an early-warning system for disease in the region. She envisions harnessing genetic information and on-the-ground observations to track pathogens, a system that would help scientists intervene during early warnings of outbreaks. This work was conducted aboard the R/V Falkor (too) in collaboration with schmidtocean as part of the National Geographic and Rolex #PerpetualPlanet Southern Ocean Expedition. *All sampling was conducted under specialized veterinary supervision with expertise in penguin handling. Duri...