Eduardo Esquenazi is the founder of Terns, a company dedicated to merging outdoor adventure with sustainable innovation. A lifelong angler and waterman, his deep passion for fishing drives his mission to create eco-conscious solutions that protect the waters he loves. In this episode of Anchored, we dive into biology and explore a topic often overlooked—the importance of self-care for anglers in the outdoors. As it turns out, the solution may have been right under our rod tip all along…
What happens when a love for the ocean, a passion for science, and a life-changing health scare come together? For Eduardo Esquenazi, it led to a career that bridges marine biology, medical innovation, and outdoor skin protection.
In this episode, Eduardo shares how a cancer diagnosis reshaped his path, why the ocean holds untapped medicinal potential, and what anglers should know about protecting their skin in the sun.
Outline Of This Episode
[0:06] Growing up in Colombia and moving to Florida
[1:21] Early connection to the ocean through diving and spearfishing
[2:48] Cancer diagnosis during PhD studies changes his path
[4:17] Discovering that many medicines originate in nature
[8:17] Why reefs and dense ecosystems are rich in potential medicines
[17:02] Developing new ways to test marine samples
[20:45] Breakthroughs in anti-cancer, immune therapies, and antimalarial compounds
[31:03] Shifting focus to skin health and outdoor protection
[40:05] Best practices for anglers to protect their skin
Growing Up In Colombia And Moving To Florida
Eduardo was born in Bogotá, Colombia, but some of his earliest memories were made in the Caribbean, tagging along with his dad, a spearfisherman and diver. When political unrest and family changes led the family to move to Florida, eight-year-old Eduardo jumped right into his new surroundings. With reefs, beaches, and warm water all around, it felt like he’d landed in a never-ending holiday.
Early Connection To The Ocean Through Diving And Spearfishing
Eduardo’s dad had him in the water from a young age, and by six, he was already diving and spearfishing in the Caribbean. Those early adventures sparked a fascination that only grew after the family moved to Florida. There, he found himself drawn deeper into the world of marine life and the intricate communities that make up a reef.
Cancer Diagnosis During Phd Studies Changes His Path
While working toward a PhD in neuroscience at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Eduardo’s world shifted overnight. At just 28, he was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. The news halted his studies and left him questioning what truly mattered and what kind of impact he wanted to make if he pulled through.
Discovering That Many Medicines Originate In Nature
During treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Eduardo learned that most of the medicines he was receiving originated from natural sources. For a scientist, this revelation was transformative. It sparked a deep curiosity about where medicines come from and inspired him to shift his focus toward nature-based drug discovery, particularly from the ocean.
Why Reefs And Dense Ecosystems Are Rich In Potential Medicines
Eduardo explains that reef environments are densely packed with life, from corals to algae to microscopic organisms. In these competitive spaces, species rely on chemical signals to survive, communicate, and defend themselves. Many of those same signals can also influence human health. This complexity makes reefs an ideal place to search for new medicinal compounds.
Developing New Ways To Test Marine Samples
Traditional marine drug discovery involved extracting and testing compounds one at a time. Eduardo’s team changed this approach by creating multiple samples from each organism and testing them across many diseases simultaneously. They used mass spectrometry to map chemical “signatures” and built a vast database linking these profiles to potential therapeutic effects.
Breakthroughs In Anti-Cancer, Immune Therapies, And Antimalarial Compounds
Over two decades, Eduardo’s work has produced notable results, including marine-derived compounds used in anti-cancer research, immune-boosting agents, and a powerful antimalarial compound discovered in bacteria living on seaweed. Though the quantities were small, the potency demonstrated the ocean’s untapped potential for groundbreaking medicines.
Shifting Focus To Skin Health And Outdoor Protection
Years of studying inflammation and immune response led Eduardo to co-found Terns, a skin health brand made for people who spend a lot of time outdoors. Using marine and botanical extracts, the products are designed to target persistent, low-level inflammation caused by UV rays, wind, and pollution. The goal is to help protect and repair the skin barrier so it stays healthy over time.
Best Practices For Anglers To Protect Their Skin
Eduardo advises anglers to take sun safety seriously. His tips include using mineral-based sunscreens made with zinc or titanium dioxide, wearing UV-protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats, and applying antioxidant-rich lotion both under sunscreen and after sun exposure to maintain skin resilience.
Discover More From Eduardo Esquenazi
To learn more about Eduardo’s work and his skin health products, visit Terns.com and follow @ternsactive on Instagram.
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