Our Patron

Dr Rhys Jones

Rhys is a Cardiff University Senior Lecturer, reptile specialist, environmental consultant, researcher and broadcaster for the BBC, The Smithsonian Channel, National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. Rhys has presented three series of the BBC One primetime network series “Rhys Jones’s Wildlife Patrol”, for which he received a BAFTA nomination (Best Presenter) in 2014.

Rhys presented two series of “Rhys To The Rescue” which aired on BBC Wales and subsequently on BBC Two network. In addition he presented on Sir David Attenborough’s BBC “Saving Planet Earth” programme, one of a season of nature documentaries with a conservation theme, screened in 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of its specialist factual department, the BBC Natural History Unit.

Rhys and his team are using their vast experience in producing media content to create a series of videos that promote the work of Frozen Ark.

Contact Details

School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, Wales, UK

Email: JonesR9@cardiff.ac.uk

Ms Jacqueline Mackenzie-Dodds

Jackie Mackenzie-Dodds manages the Molecular Collections facility MCf at the Natural History Museum (NHM) London, developing and curating the 2M biodiversity sample repository since its launch in 2011, making biodiversity genetic resources accessible to the wider scientific community. She has over 30 years of experience in and laboratory management and molecular biology research from both industry and academia with research at the NHM including a wide variety of projects in non-human species in taxonomy and evolution. From 2008 she has focused on molecular collections management and biobanking, aligning and collaborating in initiatives in the EU and US including ESBB, ISBER, GGBN, SYNTHESYS, Frozen Ark and more recently CryoArks and Darwin Tree of Life DToL projects.

Contact Details: Molecular Collections Manager, Molecular Collections facility, Life Sciences Department, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK.

Email: j.mackenzie-dodds@nhm.ac.uk

Dr Jordan Cuff

Jordan is an enthusiastic arachnologist, molecular ecologist, and science communicator with a particular passion for understanding the mechanisms underpinning species interactions, but he can't resist any entomological endeavour. Jordan finished his Cardiff University PhD on nutrient-based prey choice in spiders in 2020, and before that his Biosciences MRes and Biology BSc, both also in Cardiff University. Jordan helped to deliver the outreach and engagement elements of our ‘ARKS of the 21st Century’ public engagement project and offers advice on invertebrate biodiversity.

Contact Details: cuffjp@cardiff.ac.uk

Dr Isa-Rita Russo

Isa-Rita is a population and conservation geneticist with experience in population and landscape genetics/genomics. Her research focusses on how landscape variables affect gene flow and adaptation in a number of taxa. After she obtained a PhD degree from the University of Pretoria (South Africa), she started a National Research Foundation (NRF) funded postdoctoral fellowship at Cardiff University under the mentorship of Professor Michael Bruford. She has since undertaken several other postdoctoral research positions at Cardiff University working on a range of taxa. She has recently been appointed as a lecturer within the School of Biosciences and she is the Zoology Degree Scheme Lead within the School. In addition, Isa-Rita has been appointed as an extraordinary lecturer at the University of Pretoria (South Africa). She is the co-coordinator of the African chapter of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Species Survival Commission’s Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG). She is also a member of the International Affairs Committee of the Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE).

Isa-Rita also a member of the Frozen Ark Scientific Committee.

Contact Details: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, Wales, UK

Email: russoim@cardiff.ac.uk

Dr Max Tercel

Max is an entomologist who studied the invasion ecology of ants for his PhD. He is an all-round bug nerd and loves to teach students and the wider public about the importance of insects. It is therefore unsurprising that Max became the postgraduate representative of the Royal Entomological Society! Max's research focusses on using powerful molecular techniques to identify trophic interactions, but his primary aim is to use this as a tool to improve insect conservation. Max helps to deliver the outreach and engagement elements of our ‘ARKS of the 21st Century’ public engagement project and offers advice on invertebrate biodiversity.

Email: TercelM@cardiff.ac.uk

Dr Isa Aleixo Pais

Isa is a conservationist and molecular biologist working with African non-human primates for the past 11 years. She is interested in understanding how forest loss and degradation impact the genetics and diet of these endangered species. For her PhD, she assessed how wild plants are co-used by humans and primates in two National Parks of west Africa. Isa is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge about science with the wider public. She has engaged in several science communication events, science teaching, volunteering with non-governmental environmental organisations, and has since 2019 been a Co-I of our 'ARKS of the 21st Century' public engagement project. Isa has also provided training on laboratory techniques to several Frozen Ark students.

Yathu Kamal - PTY Student

Yathu is a University of Bath student studying Biology and will be based at a Frozen Ark PTY student based at Cardiff University. She is interested in genomics and bioinformatics to unlock the answers to some of nature’s greatest mysteries. As well as learning more about the Frozen Ark’s mission to conserve endangered animals by learning more about techniques such as biobanking and DNA cryopreservation. She will also be conducting a research project in relation to the Frozen Ark.

Rosie Purdy - Volunteer

Rosie is a Master’s student at Cardiff University undergoing a project in conservation genomics. She is keen to volunteer with Frozen Ark to learn more about the cryopreservation and biobanking of endangered species, as well as getting stuck in with engagement events to show people how amazing DNA can be!

Rob Tolcher - Volunteer

Rob is a graduate from Exeter University who heard about the Frozen Ark during his MSc at Cardiff University in Global Conservation. Rob has a background in conservation genetics as a result of his MSc thesis conducting a viability analysis on Black Rhinoceros in tandem with the WWF. He has also spent time working in schools teaching in Cardiff, whilst also being a part of the conservation specialists team conducting species assessments and creating genetic guidelines for African antelope species. He is passionate about conservation and is driven to make a positive impact on our environment.

Karolina Narbutt - Volunteer

Kay is a Biochemistry student at the University of Portsmouth. They hold a deep interest in molecular biology, especially gene expression mechanisms and genome sequencing. They are curious to learn about DNA cryopreservation conducted at Frozen Ark.

Following their passion for conservation efforts focused on preserving biodiversity, they joined the Frozen Ark team to assist with inventory management and maintenance of the biobanking collection at the University of Portsmouth, as well as data collection and analysis.

Lili Stiff - Volunteer

Lili is a Zoology graduate from the University of Bristol who is interested in conservation of the world’s ecosystems and organisms. As well as helping with sample curation, she enjoys art and so will help produce props to use in school visits to help engage children. Lili is looking forward to helping Frozen Ark achieve its aims as well as meeting new people and learning new skills.

Melissa Fischer - Volunteer

Melissa is a Biology graduate who is passionate about art and conservation. She is keen on using art as a means of making scientific concepts more visual and fun! As a volunteer at Frozen Ark, Melissa will be mainly helping with science communication, using digital illustration as well as design skills.

Suzanne Pen - Volunteer

Suzanne studied Molecular Life Sciences at the Radboud University in the Netherlands and has since worked as a business developer in various companies. She loves observing, conserving, preserving and serving wildlife, ecological gardening, horse riding and mitochondria.

To raise awareness and donations, Suzanne supports the Frozen Arks marketing activities. On a typical day she creates content combining science and adorable animals, implements the latest technology for non-profits and makes her husband climb the roof to install a home-made nest box for falcons. If you want to help Suzanne achieve her goals, please help the Frozen Ark with a donation.