Our Team
& Volunteer Opportunities
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
The PICC program was founded and is directed by conservation photographer and primatologist Kathy West, who has over 30 years of experience in designing and implementing unique youth science education programs in the US and internationally. She has successfully designed, illustrated and authored children’s activity workbooks for science and conservation education, including bilingual Conservation Coloring Books. She was honored with the 2019 American Society of Primatologists Kyes Award for Excellence in Outreach. Kathy has conducted field research on wild primates as well as traveled extensively around the world. She is an award-winning wildlife photographer, scientific illustrator and primatologist and cares deeply about conservation issues. Kathy conducted the first PICC program in Suriname in October 2018. She has since worked remotely with her Malagasy team in Madagascar to conduct numerous pandemic PICC programs 2020 – 2023, and continues to support the Madagascar programs with financial support and teaching resources. Recently she conducted PICC sessions in Panama (2022 and 2023) and Uganda (2022) for children living alongside endangered primates. She is dedicated to building capacity in these habitat-communities so that the conservation efforts can be led by Indigenous people, strengthening community-based capacity and conservation within communities living alongside primates at risk of extinction.
SCIENCE AND PARTNERSHIPS LEAD, EXECUTIVE BOARD
Jaclyn is an ecologist with over 12 years of experience conducting research, directing science communication initiatives, and managing conservation projects throughout North America, East Africa, and South America. She holds an MS and PhD from University of California, Davis, where she studied the conservation ecology of mammals in a variety of habitats, from the deserts of Mexico to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Jaclyn believes transforming ecological knowledge into effective conservation decision-making requires exchanging information across disciplines and cultural barriers. For this reason, she informs environmental management by making information about the natural world more engaging and accessible to a variety of stakeholders. Jaclyn currently transforms science into stories about biodiversity conservation at NatureServe, where she is the project manager and creative director for the NatureServe Network Tour. At PICC, Jaclyn serves on the Executive Board as the science and partnerships lead, for which she develops educational and strategic content to promote community-led conservation initiatives across programs. Jaclyn believes the world’s most pressing problems are best mitigated through community-led solutions that prioritize equity. She works to promote sustainability and nature-based solutions to climate change and other global problems through inclusive means.
LEMUR PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION SOLUTIONS
Dr. Borgerson is an anthropologist, conservation biologist, and National Geographic explorer and expert working on sustainable hunting & food security in Madagascar since 2007. A scientific specialist in the Masoala National Park and across Madagascar, she is working in lemur and biodiversity conservation, sustainable wildlife management, biological anthropology, illegal endangered species hunting, public health and nutrition. She has acted in a myriad of capacities to support lemur conservation; as a member of the IUCN Primate Specialist Group, a board member of the NGO MAHERY, and has led the National Geographic Society Photo Ark Challenge Community Initiative in Masoala NP. She is currently developing creative interdisciplinary solutions to stemming biodiversity loss and food insecurity in Madagascar and around the world. Her Sakondry program provides villagers with protein while alleviating pressure on lemurs and other wild animals hunted for bushmeat.
INSTRUCTOR & SOCIAL MEDIA DEVELOPMENT
Madison is a graduate student in Public Health at The George Washington University, where she also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Anthropology. Throughout her academic journey, she had the privilege of collaborating extensively with the Smithsonian National Zoo Global Health Program in Washington DC. Her research primarily focused on investigating the transmission of infectious diseases among critically endangered primate populations. She was invited to share her insights at the Student Conference on Conservation Science, hosted by the renowned American Museum of Natural History in October 2019. Madison has dedicated herself to teaching and participating in the PICC program, most recently in Panama, particularly through her experience teaching local children in Reserva Ecologica Panamaes. She has taken the initiative to educate children about endangered species, showcasing her passion for conservation and environmental stewardship. Throughout the PICC sessions, her skills in teaching, translating, and problem-solving have been invaluable. Madison remains dedicated to furthering her knowledge and making meaningful contributions to the field of conservation and ecological research. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health through the Global Health Program at The George Washington University.
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR and PROGRAM EDUCATOR
We are excited to welcome Julie, our newest PICC team member! Julie has a long-held passion for making a positive impact by protecting natural habitats for humans and wildlife. She works as a university staff research associate, with a focus on studies dedicated to the understanding of memory and aging. She earned her degree in Biological Sciences with a specialized focus in Neurophysiology and Behavior from the University of California, Davis. Beyond her career pursuits, Julie is actively involved in her community, dedicating her time and efforts to organizations promoting health, wellness, and education. Julie is excited to lend her expertise and enthusiasm to PICC’s endeavors. She has experience in grassroots fundraising for charitable and non-profit groups including Empower Yolo and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Julie’s interest in wildlife and conversation was sparked by weekend visits to the Marine Mammal Care Center in the Los Angeles area while she was in junior high and high school. Her interests were further fueled through an internship at the Sacramento Zoo. Julie is eager to contribute to PICC’s mission and has a genuine passion for supporting causes related to conservation and animal welfare. She firmly believes in the importance of preserving natural habitats and is driven to enhance the well-being of humans and animals within these ecosystems. We look forward to her incredible energy, talents, and enthusiasm, helping us to reach more people in the US and primate-habitat communities.
MADAGASCAR PROJECT CHIEF AND EDUCATOR
Pascal Elison is a Malagasy ecotourism guide who grew up in the Masoala area and is a well-known guide, considered by tourists as a “legend”. Pascal has deep knowledge of the local ecosystems, plants and animals, and has formal schooling in science and multiple languages. He attended a Professional and Technical High School, has a Bachelor’s Degree with a specialty in Building and Civil Engineering, and has studied at the Faculty of Science Antsiranana with a specialty in Physics and Chemistry. Pascal has also contributed to his community through consulting for MEDAIR Madagascar doing humanitarian assistance. Pascal has been teaching mini-PICC programs in Ambodiforaha, Marofototra and Maroantsetra villages during the pandemic restrictions (bit.ly/MadaTourismPICC), and is a co-author and translator for the Lemur Conservation Coloring and Activity Book – Masoala Edition. Visit Pascal’s Website
LEAD FILMMAKER AND PRODUCTION EDITOR
Stuart has extensive experience in international film production, broadcast television and short films, and has worked in Latin America to promote and understand successful models of low-income housing in countries with massive shortages of dwellings with basic services. Stuart lives in Panama next to the Reserva Los Panamaes, a site of international interest for understanding the effects of climate change. He is fascinated by the development of the Reserve over the last 10 years, not only in the rapid conversion of deforested cow-pastures to native tropical dry rainforest, but also in the cultural evolution from a machismo culture tied to tree cutting and ranching to a pride in native animal species and in the forest, and the economy that is growing up around such efforts. He has begun documenting the forest and the people, and the wildlife that are returning to the area, with the goal of a feature length documentary to help get similar projects off the ground in other locations. He is excited to follow this conservation development and explore how it is affecting both the biodiversity and the local communities. Read more about one of Stuart’s current film projects and check out his recent PICC trailer.
FILMMAKER
AND PRODUCTION EDITOR
Tammy has partnered with Stuart Hooper for the past 6 years, during which time she’s traveled the globe and managed the delicate balance between some of the world’s largest travel brands, a grueling production schedule, and industry talent as a producer on international travel shows. Her keen eye in an editing suite has been crucial to the development of Mangofish Studios and its portfolio of digital properties. Tammy has also become immersed in wildlife photography and conservation filmmaking with the Reserva Los Panamaes project, and as a Panamanian brings critical cultural insight to this work. She traveled to Uganda with PICC in 2022 and was a critical part of the teaching team, as well as hosting, teaching and supporting program logistics in Panama, 2022 and 2023.
UGANDA PROGRAM LEAD
Mushamba is a multi-talented artist, including painting, sculpting and music. Helping people and promoting nature conservation are in his heart. He is the Founder and Director of Rafiki Memorial Wildlife Conservation Initiative and a partner in conservation education for PICC. To read his story, click here.
FILMMAKER
Michael Ryan Clark is an award winning filmmaker and photographer who has dedicated his life to creating impact driven wildlife conservation media. Documenting important and untold conservation stories has taken Michael across 6 continents and dozens of countries. Michael has accepted awards at the United Nations and has worked with companies such as National Geographic, PBS Nature, and CBS. He enjoys using storytelling skills gained from his English Education degree at Boston University, in conjunction with his passion for media, to create content that brings awareness to conservation issues with the goal of enacting measurable change. His most recent project, concerning noise pollution issues with Humpback Whales in Iceland, recently won its category in the short films section for the prestigious United Nations World Wildlife Day and Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, has won awards in film festivals worldwide, and is being used as a tool for policy advancement by the United Nations. Michael is currently working with dozens of nonprofits across the country to create a piece to be shown to the Biden Administration, and used by policymakers and lobbyists, to enact protections of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska within Biden’s first 100 days of office. http://www.michaelryanclark.com
“Voluntourism”!
Would you like to be a volunteer on one of the PICC sessions? We recently started a “Voluntourism” program, where volunteers join us in teaching the children both in the classroom and the forest, and also have opportunities to be part of the local community as a visitor/tourist. We are developing the Voluntour program for 2024 in Uganda, Rwanda and / or Madagascar. Stay tuned for dates, prices and details! Meanwhile, here is the Voluntour program we just held in Panama, May 2023, with 6 volunteers joining us: PICC2023-Mangofish_VolunteerOpportunities .
“Traipsing through the forest and seeing the animals was great, but — far and away — the highlight was working with the kids.” ~Brian B., PICC Panama volunteer
“Teaching conservation education to enthusiastic, interested students in Panama about protecting the howler, capuchin and spider monkeys habitat was a once in a lifetime experience!” ~Sue and Alan, PICC Panama volunteers