Ben Cresswell

Field Base Manager

Having studied Marine Biology at the University of Wales, Ben was commissioned into the Royal Artillery and qualified as a military parachutist and troop commander. Having worked on active operations in Afghanistan, he spent the final year of his career based in Canada where he specialised in safety management. Ben is a keen diver, competent mountaineer, first aid instructor and holds an Off-Site Safety Management qualification.

Gemma Galbraith

Project Scientist

Gemma grew up near the mud flats of southeast Essex but spent all her summers on the beaches of Cornwall. Her innate fascination with the natural world led her to read Ecology at the University of Durham, which was followed by an MSc in Marine Environmental Management at the University of York.  She has spent time working on coral reef monitoring projects in Egypt, a game reserve in South Africa and most recently in 2012 co-led a conservation expedition in The Cook Islands. Here she worked on the remote atoll of Rakahanga conducting baseline research on sea turtle abundance, distribution and nesting habitat within the context of traditional Polynesian culture. She has gained a full spectrum of experience from working with coastal artisanal fishing communities to government offices and NGOs.  Gemma enjoys all aspects of conservation work with her enthusiasm for the environment also permeating her other interests of surfing, sailing and generally being outdoors.

Kerri Dobson

Science Officer

Kerri first learnt to scuba dive during her gap year in Mexico in 2008, which has since fuelled her love for marine life. Following this, she studied Environmental Geography and International Development at the University of East Anglia, where she carried out research on the coral reefs of Southern Egypt. In 2011, she volunteered to conserve coral reefs in South-West Madagascar, before beginning her Masters in Marine Ecology and Environmental Management at Queen Mary, University of London.

Anna Zuke

Science Officer

Anna seems to be drawn to the water and has been seeking out ways to combine her love of marine life with her interest in traveling. She graduated from Lawrence University in 2011 with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in studio art. During her time there, she was able to study abroad in London and participated in marine research that took her to Grand Cayman and Maiden Island. She also studied reef restoration and volunteered with the Reef Ball Foundation for her first adventure in Montserrat. More recently, she was fortunate enough to be able to return to Montserrat with the RBF and the Montserrat Reef Project to propagate and relocate imperiled coral onto a new reef, Anna is thrilled to be returning to Montserrat!

Andy Allen

Diving Instructor

After serving as a Police Office for the Avon and Somerset Constabulary for 30 years, Andy is now enjoying life as a PADI Instructor. Since 2006 he has worked in Cyprus, Lanzarotte and Malta. He gained his IDC Staff instructor in 2011.  

Justin Powell

Logistics Assistant

Justin has spent the last twenty years working in the outdoors as a groundskeeper. He is passionate about the outdoors and works on-site filling tanks and maintaining the site. He holds a First Aid qualification and assists the Field Base Manager to ensure that teams have the correct equipment at the correct time.

Pickles

Pickles was rescued from the Montserrat Animal Protection Society. She is an exceptionally gentle dog and loves nothing better than a run on the beach.

Larry

Larry is Pickles's assistant and was also rescued from the Montserrat Animal Protection Society. He is a lively puppy who loves attention and long walks.