Meet the Team
Director of Operations – Madagascar Elizabeth is a valued member of the MRCI team and has been involved in a number of international marine research projects including projects in the Azores, Caribbean, UK, Mexico and Madagascar. She is a qualified dive master and coral reef research diver. She has also attained her RYA level 2 power boat certificate as well as her RYA sea survival certificate and radio licence. Further to this Lizzy has obtained her level 3 in the supervision of biological surveys and her first aid and health and safety certification. |
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Dive Instructor Kyle Nelson DevineKyle has been living in Madagascar for 3 years. Kyle has a love for the ocean and has been diving for 7 seven years.He is a qualified Dive Instructor and holds a Coastal Yacht Master skippers ticket as well as a power boat level 2 certificate. |
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Marine Science Officer James CantJames completed his Master of Marine Biology degree at Bangor University, and has since been involved in marine research projects in Mozambique and Honduras before joining the team in December 2014. He is an experienced Divemaster and also holds a number of coral and fish diving specialities. |
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Marine Intern Amanda graduated with a Bachelors of Communication at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver in 2014. She began volunteering on Nosy Komba in December 2014 and stayed for an additional four months to work as a Marine Intern. With a strong background in writing and communication, Amanda aids in developing the social media and general communicative strategies of MRCI. |
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Marine Intern Joaquin worked as an Animal Care Technician at the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Centre at The University of Western Ontario prior to joining the MRCI as a volunteer in November 2014. After his volunteer period he signed on for another three months as a Marine Intern. He has completed his Divemaster and has an avid interest in Marine Biology. |
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Terrestrial Science Manager Dan graduated with an MSc in Applied Ecology at the University of Exeter shortly before joining the MRCI team in November 2014. On Nosy Komba he puts to use his skills in ecological fieldwork in the unique ecoregion of the Sambirano forest. He has travelled extensively in tropical regions of the world and is especially interested in tropical insects and other invertebrates. |
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Terrestrial Science Officer Julia received her Masters degree in France on Animal Population Management and Conservation in 2012. After volunteering in Conservation and Ecotourism projects on Primates in Gabon and Cambodia, she joined the MRCI team in March 2015 as the Terrestrial Science Officer to help with the Lemurs’ survey. She has experience in primates’ habituation, monitoring of terrestrial wildlife and project management. |
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Teaching and Community Coordinator Victoria gained her qualified teaching certificate in June 2014, graduating with a first class Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education. Along with her experience teaching in the UK, Victoria has travelled as a teacher of English; working in various different locations including Sri Lanka, China and Romania. After graduating, Victoria worked as a community field staff member on a development project in Thailand before joining the MRCI in May 2015. Victoria has a keen interest in international community development, particularly through education, and aims to enhance the opportunities available for local people here on Nosy Komba. |
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Senior Project Co-Ordinator Shirley has been working in the travel and tourism industry for more than 10 years and has extensive knowledge on travel to and within Madagascar. Shirley is responsible for coordinating all aspects of volunteer registration. |
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Co-ordinator – Antananarivo Christian is the centres co-ordination manager in Antananarivo where he liaises directly with the Department of Environmental Affairs as well as the Ministry of Higher Education. |