Mark G. Wright, email: [email protected]: Professor (entomology), Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Mark grew up in South Africa, in a conservation area, and has conducted research on South African insects, invasive species in Hawaii, and environmentally compatible options for pest control. His current research addresses biological control of invasive insect pests, risk assessment for biocontrol agents, insect conservation in Hawaii, and insect / tree / elephant interactions in South Africa.
Craig R. Spencer (M.Sc. Primatology, Oxford Brooks University) CEO of TA: Craig has worked extensively in conservation in South Africa, addressing plant conservation, marine conservation, primate/human interactions, game management, and anti-poaching initiatives. He launched the Black Mamba anti-poaching unit, concentrating on community involvement in conservation, engaging women in anti-poaching operations, and providing community education on conservation issues. The Black Mamba initiative employs 36 young women from the local tribal communities and has won the Best Rhino Conservation Practitioner award in Johannesburg in 2015, as well as the UNEP Champions of the Earth award in New York in 2015. Craig further received a nomination for Conservationist of the Year, South Africa 2015.
Paul Allin (M.Sc. in Wildlife Management): Paul is the Transfrontier Africa research coordinator, with extensive experience in research on management of South African conservation areas. Paul is on the right of the below pic, with UH students (2019 class) in the field.
Teaching assistant: Michelle Au, B.S., Ph.D. student in entomology, and longtime member of the study abroad team. (To the right of Paul, above.)