Jim Mastro holds a Bachelor of Science in zoology from San Diego State University and a Master of Arts in English from the University of New Hampshire. He has had several careers including seal trainer, field biologist, laboratory manager, college professor, professional diver and technical editor.

He spent over six years in Antarctica, including two 14-month stints that involved wintering over. For five years, he supported all scientific diving in Antarctica for the U.S. Antarctic Program during which he made 250 dives under the ice. Currently, he is a full-time writer who has authored or co-authored nine book including Antarctica: A Year at the Bottom of the World; Under Antarctic Ice: The Photographs of Norbert Wu; the Jason Hunter science fiction/adventure trilogy; and, most recently, Journeys with Emperors: Tracking the World’s Most Extreme Penguin. His fourth novel, a comedic fantasy entitled The Leprechaun Effect, is represented by Lighthouse Literary. His most recent project, in progress, is a parallel worlds fantasy.

Originally from San Diego, he now lives in New Hampshire with his wife, son, and a crazy little fuzz-muffin of a dog.

Gerald Kooyman has many accolades. His main scientific goal has been to learn how marine animals work; that is internally to determine the internal workings of air breathing natural divers, especially seals and penguins. Plus, how these same animals work and make a living in the natural environment.

In addition, his hope is that the empathy gained in knowing about them will further support to protecting them it their hazardous environment.

Learning the ways of Emperor Penguins