Zegrahm Field Leaders: Inspired and Inspiring
We hear it from our passengers time and again: Zegrahm field leaders are out of this world. That’s because we’ve made it our priority from Day One to recruit the top experts in their respective fields. When planning each adventure, both by ship and on land, we strive to assemble the “ultimate dream team” for the destination: marine biologists, ornithologists, geologists, botanists, historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, and dive masters. Zegrahm field leaders are well-known throughout the world; many of them are published writers, authors, and photographers. All are passionate about travel and the world around them. An added plus: They’re also engaging, personable, and caring.
During our small-ship expeditions, you can look forward to an ongoing series of destination lectures, photo presentations, daily recaps, and onshore interactive walks. On land journeys, one or two field experts will share their intimate knowledge of the region, its wildlife and its cultures, while ensuring that you have a smooth and well-rounded expedition experience.
In addition, on many of our trips, a Zegrahm founder or director is part of the expedition team, lending his/her own incredible breadth of experience to the regions we visit.
See below for a look at our world-class expedition team or just visit any destination we visit and review the trip leaders.
Our Expedition Field Leaders
Jack Baldelli
Jack has over 20 years of experience in Antarctica. As one of the few commercial divers regularly working at the United States bases in Antarctica, he maintains vital seawater intake systems and… |
Colleen Batey
Dr. Colleen Batey’s childhood passion for archaeology led her to Durham University from where she received her doctorate. Her research interests focus on the settlement and burial of… |
Tim Baughman
Dr. T.H. Baughman is a professor of history at the University of Central Oklahoma. Tim has taught European history for more than 30 years, and has been leading travelers around the world for 25… |
Andrew Berry
With an undergraduate degree in zoology from Oxford and a Ph.D. in evolutionary genetics from Princeton, Andrew's expertise is on how Darwinian processes affect natural populations. His… |
Paul Bracken
Paul is Professor of Management and Political Science at Yale and specializes in international security issues and global business. He has written extensively on security matters, including the… |
Mark Brazil
Mark developed his fascination with the natural world, especially birds and mammals, during his boyhood in the landlocked English county of Worcestershire. He pursued academic interests in biology… |
John Buchanan
John is a professor of geology and director of the environmental science program at Eastern Washington University. While his academic focus includes sedimentology, hydrogeology, and geomorphology,… |
Rich Cahill
Born and raised in Panama, Rich is one of the most experienced guides in that country, having led ecotravelers throughout the region for the past 20 years. He is a veteran of four trans-Darien… |
Shirley Campbell
Dr. Shirley Campbell is a social anthropologist and Research Fellow at the Australian National University, with a special interest in the indigenous peoples of Australia, Melanesia, and the… |
Nathan Christensen
Originally from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Nathan has been visiting Antarctica for his research work since 2009. Acting as a Zodiac driver and guide on expeditions around the globe, Nathan… |
Kevin Clement
Although his specialty is subarctic ecology, Kevin’s work as a naturalist and adventure travel guide has taken him from his home in the Pacific Northwest to all seven continents. In 1995 he… |
Brad Climpson
Brad was born in Sydney, Australia and has lived for the last 20 years in North Queensland, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. In 1996 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in marine… |
Jannie Cloete
Jannie has been working on cruise ships as cruise director and expedition leader for over 28 years. This vocation has taken him around the globe from the Antarctic to the tropics and many of the… |
Kevin Coate
Kevin has a background in forestry and is a well-known Western Australian naturalist with more than 40 years experience in the Kimberley. He has been guiding Kimberley coast trips since 1983 and… |
Johnetta Cole
Johnnetta Betsch Cole is the Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art. A lifelong passion for art and a love and respect for the people and cultures of Africa and its… |
David Conrad
David holds a Ph.D. in African history from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; is emeritus professor of history, State University of New York at Oswego; and is a… |
Roger Crowley
Roger is a UK-based writer and historian and a graduate of Cambridge University. As the child of a naval family, his fascination with the Mediterranean world started early, on the island of Malta.… |
Puneet Dan
Puneet has worked as a Tour Guide/Tour Director for the past thirteen years. After graduating from Agra University with a degree in Indian history, he began his career as a tour guide for the city… |
Jim Delgado
As a historian, curator, maritime archaeologist, researcher, deep-sea diver, television host, museum director, lecturer, and author, Jim has built an incredible foundation of knowledge and… |
John Dobson
John is emeritus professor of history at Oklahoma State University. He graduated from MIT with a double major in physics and history, and subsequently obtained a Ph.D. in history at the University… |
Rob Dunbar
Professor Rob Dunbar is the Vicky and Roger Sant Director of the Earth Systems Program and Senior Fellow of the Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. In the fall of 2001, he… |
Nadia Eckhardt
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Nadia now calls Seattle her home. She has traveled extensively throughout the world and is well versed in many adventure destinations, including Central and South… |
Olga Eggert
Olga was born in Crimea, Ukraine. She graduated from the Odessa Conservatoire with distinction in piano, piano accompaniment, and the teaching of music. After leaving the Conservatoire she… |
Paul Ehrlich
Paul is professor of biological sciences and Bing Professor of Population Studies at Stanford. An internationally prominent conservationist, he is the recipient of numerous national and… |
Ralph Eshelman
Dr. Ralph Eshelman was director of the Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, Maryland, from 1974 to 1990 and is a specialist in maritime history, polar exploration, vertebrate paleontology, and… |
Greg Estes
Greg has served as a licensed naturalist guide in the Galápagos Islands since 1982. After graduating with a degree in biology from the University of London, he led the Cambridge Darwin Centenary… |
Russ Evans
Russell Evans is a 6th generation Falkland Islander who grew up working on farms on Pebble and Saunders Islands. In the mid 1990s, Russell left farming to pursue his interest in the sea and small… |
Giovanna Fasanelli
After a childhood spent revelling in the wonders of South Africa's shorelines and rock pools, Giovanna knew that she was destined for a life exploring the world's oceans. She emigrated to… |
Carmen Field
A professional naturalist and resident of Homer, Alaska, Carmen works as a marine science educator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research… |
Conrad Field
A resident of Homer, Alaska, Conrad is a professional naturalist and biologist as well as an accomplished artist in the media of pen-and-ink and scrimshaw. He and his wife, Carmen, own… |
Mats Forsberg
Originally from Sweden, Mats has worked in the adventure travel industry since 1982. With an appreciation of nature and a deep understanding of the Arctic region, he has spent the majority of his… |
Jeff Gneiser
Mountaineer, ski instructor, sailor and scuba diving professional - all of these titles describe Jeff's ability to share the outdoors with others. His appreciation for nature's pristine… |
Larry Goedde
Larry Goedde is Professor of Art History and the Chair of the McIntire Department of Art at the University of Virginia. He has taught in the McIntire Department of Art since 1981, and has… |
Bob Goodale
Bob was born in New Zealand and has lived in Australia for the past 40 years, working primarily as a professional naturalist, film producer, and wildlife photographer. His love of nature began as… |
Lynne Greig
Lynne was born and raised in South Africa and after finishing her education spent several years teaching there. Her love for travel led her around the globe, and eventually turned into a career in… |
Jack Grove
A marine biologist and professional naturalist, Jack has spent much of the past two decades traveling on, and lecturing about, the world's oceans. Cofounder of Zegrahm Expeditions and research… |
Linda Hahn
A resident of Indonesia for the past 10 years, Linda is a perennial student of culture and continues to travel extensively with her explorer husband, Leksmono. She has led more than 40 trips… |
Susan Hardwick
Susan is a geography professor at the University of Oregon, a consultant for the National Geographic Society, and a lecturer for the American Geographical Society. She teaches classes and conducts… |
Peter Harrison
Peter Harrison, MBE - A professional birder, artist, author, and screenwriter, Peter is widely considered the world's foremost authority on seabirds. Often credited with having seen more… |
Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart is the drummer for the legendary Grateful Dead, and a Grammy Award-winning musician, producer, and sonic explorer. Mickey has worked with Richard Kurin for decades, re-engineering… |
Jill Harvey
Jill grew up in the Pacific northwest of British Columbia, Canada, with nature and adventure literally in her backyard. While completing an undergraduate degree in Geography at the University of… |
Ragnar Hauksson
Ragnar is a native of Iceland and, for the past 20 years, has been a tourist guide in his homeland, leading groups of various kinds and sizes to almost every corner of the country. He has also… |
Lex Hes
Lex Hes, a naturalist and wildlife photographer, was born and educated in Johannesburg and has been involved in the world of wildlife for the past 25 years. Previously a guide at the world-famous… |
Jim Higginbotham
An associate professor of classical archeology at Bowdoin College, holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in classical art and archeology. His scholarly interests focus on ancient Greek and… |
David Holloway
David Holloway - David was born in Dublin, Ireland. He received his undergraduate degree in modern languages and literature, and Ph.D. in social and political sciences from the University… |
Greg Homel
Greg is an ornithologist, award-winning international nature photojournalist, and documentary film producer who operates Natural Encounters Birding-Tours, Inc. and Natural Elements Photo-Video… |
Gemma Jessy
Gemma is a native Seychelloise from the island of Praslin, second largest of the granitic Seychelles. After completing her education she spent time as a teacher and as a nurse before her love of… |
Mayumi Kanamura
Mayumi was born and educated in Hokkaido, Japan’s northern most island. She studied Japanese literature at college and is also interested in film and contemporary culture. She has traveled… |
Richard Kurin
Richard Kurin is the Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture at the Smithsonian. He is responsible for most of the Smithsonian’s national museums as well as a variety of cultural and… |
George Lake
Inspired from a young age by world-traveling grandparents, George developed a love for travel, adventure, and nature - especially pertaining to the sea. He became a certified scuba diver at age 14… |
Allan Langdale
Allan earned a doctorate degree in art history from the University of California at Santa Barbara and has taught in the University of California system for more than 12 years. His specialties… |
Susan Langley
Susan is the State Underwater Archaeologist for the Maryland Historical Trust. She received her B.A. in anthropology from the University of Toronto and her M.A. and Ph.D. in archaeology from the… |
Cheli Larsen
Cheli has been involved for more than a dozen years full-time in the tourism and diving industry, both in her home country of New Zealand and internationally. She has led expeditions all over the… |
Stephen Law
Stephen is a professor of humanities and philosophy at the University of Central Oklahoma. As a cultural historian, he brings an interdisciplinary understanding to the civilizations of the past.… |
Marta Luna
A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Marta speaks Portuguese, French, Italian and English. She's an "insatiable traveler," very interested in history, art and literature, and paints as… |
Lyn Mair
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Lyn has traveled extensively in Africa searching for rare and endemic birds in all the major habitat regions, from Ethiopia to East Africa, the equatorial forests of… |
Jim McCarthy
Jim is Harvard's Agassiz Professor of Oceanography, and former Director of Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology. He holds a Ph.D. from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and is one of three… |
Mike Messick
Mike was raised in Switzerland and began working in expedition travel during a summer break from college. He graduated in 1985 from Skidmore College with a degree in bio/psychology. One of the… |
Shirley Metz
Shirley is a modern-day adventurer and explorer. In 1989 she became the first woman, and one of the first Americans in history, to ski overland to the South Pole, a journey of over 800 miles. She… |
Michael Moore
A Chicago native, Mike earned both his B.S. in biology and an M.S. degree in ecology, ethology, and evolution at the University of Illinois. Since then he has spent 10 years conducting research… |
Lynda Murphy
A native of the Jersey Shore, Lynda's love of the outdoors led her to the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband Joe in Seattle. She came to work at Zegrahm Expeditions in 1994 as the… |
Mike Murphy
Mike was born on the Isle of Wight, England, and raised just a stone's throw from the once largest passenger ship terminal in the world. From there, his travels have taken him to most countries… |
Ann Muscat
Ann is a marine ecologist and has conducted underwater research in Antarctica at both Palmer and McMurdo stations, and lectured on board Antarctic cruise ships. She completed over a 1,000 dives… |
Elena Myasoedova
Elena was born in the ancient city of Novgorod, Russia. From an early age she frequently traveled with her parents to nearby St. Petersburg and all over the Baltic region. She majored in… |
Ingrid Nixon
For almost two decades, Ingrid's work in expedition tourism has propelled her about the planet. From Antarctica to Greenland, Madagascar to Easter Island, she enjoys sharing the wonder of… |
Lia Oprea
Part Romanian, Lia gives credit to her Gypsy heritage for her peripatetic nature and love of exploration. This love led her to travel widely around the globe and, quite naturally, to a career in… |
Rich Pagen
Rich first became enthralled by the wonders of the natural world around the tide pools and forests of his native New York. Since then, he has embarked on a career in conservation biology that has… |
Scott Pearson
Scott has been studying economic change in developing countries for more than four decades, and is an internationally renowned specialist on the development of Third World countries. After… |
Rick Price
Rick Price began his career as a marine biologist in 1978, working for the British Antarctic Survey. He spent five winters at the BAS base on Signy Island in the South Orkney Islands, two of them… |
Ron Prinn
Professor Prinn is the TEPCO Professor of Atmospheric Science, Director of the MIT Center for Global Change Science, and Co-Director of the MIT Joint Program on Science and Policy of Global… |
Steve Quinn
Stephen is Senior Project Manager for Exhibitions at the American Museum of Natural History. He oversees all aspects of new diorama creation—including field expeditions, exhibit fabrication,… |
Geoff Renner
Geoff was born in Northumberland, England, and graduated with degrees in both geology and geophysics from the University of Durham. Subsequently, he worked for many seasons in Antarctica, where… |
Kathryn Robinson
Kathryn Robinson is an anthropologist whose research has been focused on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Her research, postgraduate supervision, and development consulting have taken her to… |
Jonathan Rossouw
Zegrahm Expeditions field director Jonathan Rossouw is a medical doctor by profession; however, his lifelong passion for wildlife led him to trade in his stethoscope for binoculars and take up a… |
Lou Sanson
Lou is the Chief Executive of Antarctica New Zealand, responsible for developing, managing, and executing New Zealand's activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. He has project managed… |
Leksmono Santoso
Leksmono Santoso is a Javanese who was born in Malang, East Java, but grew up in Jakarta. His interest in adventure developed as a child, when he traveled widely with his father. He graduated from… |
Kim Jane Saunders
A teacher and writer, Kim is a graduate of international politics and history and holds a master's degree in education. She has lived in Hong Kong and Indonesia, and has traveled extensively… |
Michael Saunders
Michael has lived and worked in Singapore, India, and Indonesia for over a quarter of a century. He has travelled and worked extensively across Asia, as well as the Middle East, South Africa,… |
Lindsay Chong Seng
Lindsay graduated from the Aberystwyth University College of Wales with a biology degree and has a joint honors degree in zoology and botany. He worked for 10 years as a Conservation Officer in… |
Rajeev Sethi
Rajeev Sethi is a world-class sceneographer who has won India’s top cultural awards, designed hotels, airports, museums, living exhibitions, and festivals across the planet, and organized… |
Steve Sidebotham
Born into a US military family in Germany. He spent about four and a half years of his childhood in Germany and also lived in Turkey, where he went to high school for two and a half years and… |
Duane Silverstein
Duane is the executive director of Seacology, which is dedicated to preserving the environments and cultures of islands throughout the world. For 20 years prior he was executive director of… |
Joel Simon
Joel has enjoyed a life-long avocation in marine biology, is a licensed scuba instructor, and has taught college-accredited courses on marine biology in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 1980 he began… |
Olga Stavrakis
An anthropologist specializing in the development of culture and complex societies and the modern transition from poverty to prosperity. During the course of a long and varied career, she has… |
Brent Stephenson
Born in New Zealand and has been a birder since childhood. In 2005 he completed a goal he had had from a young age, with the conclusion of his Ph.D., studying the breeding biology of Australasian… |
Ron Suny
Ron is the Charles Tilly Collegiate Professor of Social and Political History and Director of the Eisenberg Institute of Historical Studies at the University of Michigan and Emeritus Professor of… |
Kare Tannvik
A reknowned expert on the Norwegian Arctic, Kåre was born and raised in Kirkenes. During the 1980s he was involved, acting in and directing, documentary films describing the struggle for Sami… |
Ian Tattersall
Ian Tattersall is Curator Emeritus in the Division of Anthropology of the American Museum of Natural History and is also Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at Columbia University. He is an expert… |
Emily Teeter
Emily Teeter is a research associate and curator at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. She received a Ph.D. in Near Eastern languages and civilizations from the same university.… |
Barton “Buzz” Thompson
Buzz is a leading expert in environmental and natural resources law and policy, and one of the founding directors of Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment. His research focuses on… |
Pepper Trail
Dr. Pepper Trail is an ornithologist, conservationist, photographer, and writer. Since 1994, he has lived in Ashland, Oregon, where he is a senior analyst at the U.S. National Fish and Wildlife… |
Joe Valencic
Joe is an expert on marine life and ecology who has taught courses in oceanography, marine science research, and research diving techniques for the past 18 years. Joe has extensive experience,… |
Jarda Versloot
Jarda was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, however in 2003 she left home and now, when not working worldwide on expedition ships, she resides in South Africa. During her travels she discovered… |
Tony Walsh
Tony studied management in England and has managed leading retail businesses in Britain and The Gulf including the Bhs Franchise in Saudi Arabia and the Disney retail franchise in Oman. Making use… |
Craig Ward
A dive instructor, marine biologist, and ship captain, Craig has also spent the past 12 years involved in marine research and education throughout the Indo-Pacific, particularly the Northern Great… |
Lawrence Weitz
Over fifteen years of experience in the field, makes South African guide, Lawrence Weitz a qualified individual and an exceptional guide. Lawrence has worked in a variety of different environments… |
Robin West
Robin was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and from time to time he resides in Holland, however he spends very little time in any of these countries since working on expedition ships. After… |
Conrad Weston
Conrad was born in San Jose, Costa Rica where he studied business administration at the University of Costa Rica. However his love of nature led him to a career as a naturalist guide. Tropical… |
Andrew Whittaker
Since 1982 Andy has worked and studied birds worldwide in Canada, Israel, Borneo, and the UK before moving to Brazil where he has remained based in Amazonian Brazil for the last 23… |
Amity Wilczek
Amity received her Ph.D. in evolutionary ecology at Harvard University, and has recently joined the unique community of Deep Springs College as the Herbert Reich Chair of Natural… |
Dennis Wille
Dennis became enamored of wildlife as a youngster in his native Costa Rica. Living in Central America, it is not difficult to see how biology could become the favorite science for any nature… |
Hector Williams
Professor of Classics and Classical Archaeology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Hector has been directing UBC’s two archaeological projects in Greece (Mytilene on Lesbos… |
Jim Wilson
From the town of Cobh, County Cork, Ireland where he lives with his wife Ann and two sons Peter and Barry. Before devoting his working life to birds and wildlife he had a career as a biomedical… |
Ann Wilson
Born and raised in Ireland, Ann lectures in visual culture and design history at the Cork College of Art and Design/Cork Institute of Technology. Her main areas of expertise include the history of… |
Gary Wintz
Gary Wintz graduated cum laude from Duns Scotus College in Michigan with a degree in philosophy. He has spent most of the past 30 years outside the US researching, writing, photographing, and… |
Ron Wixman
Professor Ron Wixman, a specialist in world cultural geography, is well versed in both the ancient and modern societies of the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, Central Asia,… |
David Wolf
A senior member of the VENT staff, David is an experienced tour leader and has birded extensively on all seven continents. After birding the U.S. and Mexico for more than a decade, an interest in… |
Gordon Wood
Gordon received his B.A. from Tufts University and his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He joined the faculty at Brown in 1969 where he is currently Professor of History Emeritus. He is the author… |
Lisa Wurzrainer
A love of travel brought Lisa to Zegrahm Expeditions in 1993. Since then, she has held a variety of positions within the company; both in the office and in the field--from Program Manager, to… |
John Yersin
John is a microbiologist who worked in the industry for 33 years investigating the impact of industrial wastes and products on the environment. The tools of his trade included diving, hovercraft… |
Warren Zapol
Warren is Reginald Jenney Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School and Anesthetist-in-Chief at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has done extensive research on the diving reflex and has… |
Peter Zika
Peter is a biologist from Seattle, conducting research at the University of Washington on the diet of fruit-eating birds. His interest in birds has led him across the Tropics and into polar… |