THE TEAM
THE BOARD
Myke Clarkson
Myke Clarkson is a Natural History filmmaker and television producer, having filmed, produced, and created programming for National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, Netflix and Animal Planet to name a few. Currently Myke is the Owner/Operator of Pelamis Productions. In addition to cable and SVOD programming Myke is also the producer and host of Zilla Pet Product's online series Beyond The Glass. Outside of television Myke also serves as the President Elect for the International Herpetological Symposium, the longest running non-profit reptile and amphibian symposium in the United States. Rainforest ecology, sea snakes (Hydrophiinae), sea kraits (Laticaudinae), other aquatic snakes (including Acrochordidae and Homalopsidae), and arboreal colubrids are areas of particular interest to him and he has written on and presented on some of these topics at symposiums and society talks around the country.
Myke Clarkson is a Natural History filmmaker and television producer, having filmed, produced, and created programming for National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, Netflix and Animal Planet to name a few. Currently Myke is the Owner/Operator of Pelamis Productions. In addition to cable and SVOD programming Myke is also the producer and host of Zilla Pet Product's online series Beyond The Glass. Outside of television Myke also serves as the President Elect for the International Herpetological Symposium, the longest running non-profit reptile and amphibian symposium in the United States. Rainforest ecology, sea snakes (Hydrophiinae), sea kraits (Laticaudinae), other aquatic snakes (including Acrochordidae and Homalopsidae), and arboreal colubrids are areas of particular interest to him and he has written on and presented on some of these topics at symposiums and society talks around the country.
Becca Clarkson RN, MSN, CIC
Becca holds a Masters Degree in Nursing science, and is board certified in both Board of Registered Nursing and Certification Board Of Infection Controllers. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Providence Masters of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology Program, Infection Preventionist III for Providence Saint Joseph Health System, the elected treasurer for APIC (The Association For Professionals In Infection Control) Los Angeles, and a capstone curriculum designer. Outside of the hospital she loves Chelonians of all shapes and sizes and is also an avid scuba diver, giving her an extra special fondness for sea turtles. Her hospital administration background and skills help HCI's policy and have also contributed to the procedural planning in both out programs and our membership systems.
Becca holds a Masters Degree in Nursing science, and is board certified in both Board of Registered Nursing and Certification Board Of Infection Controllers. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Providence Masters of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology Program, Infection Preventionist III for Providence Saint Joseph Health System, the elected treasurer for APIC (The Association For Professionals In Infection Control) Los Angeles, and a capstone curriculum designer. Outside of the hospital she loves Chelonians of all shapes and sizes and is also an avid scuba diver, giving her an extra special fondness for sea turtles. Her hospital administration background and skills help HCI's policy and have also contributed to the procedural planning in both out programs and our membership systems.
Chip Cochran, PhD
Chip Cochran received his BS from the University of Arizona where he majored in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. During his time at the University of Arizona he worked in Dr. Matt Goode’s lab primarily radio tracking Tiger rattlesnakes (C. tigris) and investigating the effects of urbanization on Tucson herpetofauna. He completed his PhD in Biology at Loma Linda University, under the guidance of Dr. William K. Hayes, where he studied variation in morphology, diet, and venom composition in Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnakes (Crotalus pyrrhus). His research interests include conservation, ecology, and evolution of venomous squamates. He is particularly interested in African herpetofauna and members of the genus Crotalus.
Chip Cochran received his BS from the University of Arizona where he majored in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. During his time at the University of Arizona he worked in Dr. Matt Goode’s lab primarily radio tracking Tiger rattlesnakes (C. tigris) and investigating the effects of urbanization on Tucson herpetofauna. He completed his PhD in Biology at Loma Linda University, under the guidance of Dr. William K. Hayes, where he studied variation in morphology, diet, and venom composition in Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnakes (Crotalus pyrrhus). His research interests include conservation, ecology, and evolution of venomous squamates. He is particularly interested in African herpetofauna and members of the genus Crotalus.
Bruce Edley, M.Sc.
Bruce Edley is a project scientist for Marine based consulting work at CEE: Consulting Environmental Engineers Pty. He also demonstrates part-time at the University of Melbourne where he graduated with a master's degree in quantitative and applied ecology. His research investigated the environmental drivers that potentially caused the range and niche contraction for the Growling Grass frog (Litoria raniformis). Bruce is a former employee of California State Parks and California contact for the Horned Lizard Conservation Society where he contributed to the research of California's endangered flat tailed horned lizard (Phyrnosoma mcallii). He has done conservation work in Australia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.
Bruce Edley is a project scientist for Marine based consulting work at CEE: Consulting Environmental Engineers Pty. He also demonstrates part-time at the University of Melbourne where he graduated with a master's degree in quantitative and applied ecology. His research investigated the environmental drivers that potentially caused the range and niche contraction for the Growling Grass frog (Litoria raniformis). Bruce is a former employee of California State Parks and California contact for the Horned Lizard Conservation Society where he contributed to the research of California's endangered flat tailed horned lizard (Phyrnosoma mcallii). He has done conservation work in Australia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.
Devon Massyn
Devon Massyn is a Los Angeles based South African wildlife filmmaker, and the owner of the American Natural History Unit. He has shot, produced, and appeared on National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet. Devon’s animal photos, travel stories, and zoological research has appeared in various international publications, including the African Journal of Herpetology. He has also assisted various research projects on South African wildlife. Whether he’s catching crocodiles along the Nile, Berg adders (Bitis atropos) in the Drakensburgs, or diving with tiger sharks in the Bahamas, Devon brings a passion for wildlife and a keen understanding of the natural world-- on camera and off. Devon especially enjoys studying chameleons, African vipers, and gecko species.
Devon Massyn is a Los Angeles based South African wildlife filmmaker, and the owner of the American Natural History Unit. He has shot, produced, and appeared on National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet. Devon’s animal photos, travel stories, and zoological research has appeared in various international publications, including the African Journal of Herpetology. He has also assisted various research projects on South African wildlife. Whether he’s catching crocodiles along the Nile, Berg adders (Bitis atropos) in the Drakensburgs, or diving with tiger sharks in the Bahamas, Devon brings a passion for wildlife and a keen understanding of the natural world-- on camera and off. Devon especially enjoys studying chameleons, African vipers, and gecko species.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
Ryan McVeigh - Director of Volunteers
Ryan has been keeping and breeding reptiles for the past 25 years. Ryan currently holds a seat on the Reptile Subcommittee for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, and works closely with many other reptile related conservation and educational non-profits. Ryan graduated with a Masters from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and worked until 2015 as a Project Engineer. From 2015 until the end of 2020, Ryan was the Marketing Brand Manager and driving force behind the Zilla Reptile Products brand, where he lead the innovation and direction of the brand and products created. Now, Ryan is the owner of VivTech , along with his wife Erica, an innovative reptile lighting and product company. As time goes on his love for these animals, spreading education about their captive care, and his passion for conservation continue to grow!
Ryan has been keeping and breeding reptiles for the past 25 years. Ryan currently holds a seat on the Reptile Subcommittee for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, and works closely with many other reptile related conservation and educational non-profits. Ryan graduated with a Masters from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and worked until 2015 as a Project Engineer. From 2015 until the end of 2020, Ryan was the Marketing Brand Manager and driving force behind the Zilla Reptile Products brand, where he lead the innovation and direction of the brand and products created. Now, Ryan is the owner of VivTech , along with his wife Erica, an innovative reptile lighting and product company. As time goes on his love for these animals, spreading education about their captive care, and his passion for conservation continue to grow!
Evan Wooldridge - Social Media Manager
Evan Wooldridge is currently an undergraduate Posse Scholar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, pursuing a degree in Business: Marketing. He is currently working on research under the Schoville Lab on identifying microbial organisms in resistant and susceptible Colorado potato beetle whole transcriptome RNA read data from Wisconsin. Evan also works part-time at the Morgridge Institute for Research under the PATh Project, and his primary duties include office support, metrics reporting, social media marketing, and external communication. Outside of this, he is the host of the Strength In Leos Podcast and produces high-quality Leopard Geckos at Decked Out Geckos. Herpetology, education, and outreach are the passions that have brought Evan to HCI and aid in contributing to their growing social media and sponsorships.
Evan Wooldridge is currently an undergraduate Posse Scholar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, pursuing a degree in Business: Marketing. He is currently working on research under the Schoville Lab on identifying microbial organisms in resistant and susceptible Colorado potato beetle whole transcriptome RNA read data from Wisconsin. Evan also works part-time at the Morgridge Institute for Research under the PATh Project, and his primary duties include office support, metrics reporting, social media marketing, and external communication. Outside of this, he is the host of the Strength In Leos Podcast and produces high-quality Leopard Geckos at Decked Out Geckos. Herpetology, education, and outreach are the passions that have brought Evan to HCI and aid in contributing to their growing social media and sponsorships.
Luke Basulto - Editor in Chief
Luke Basulto is a journalist, science writer, and native of the Mojave Desert. He has worked with multiple government agencies and non-profit organizations including the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and National Parks Conservation Association to name a few. In conjunction with biologists Luke has aided in the preservation of some iconic and threatened desert wildlife including the Mojave Desert Tortoise and Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard. The passion that Luke has for the fauna of his desert home led him to pursue a career in science writing. Luke is the editor and head author of HCI's members only Newsletter "The Shed".
Luke Basulto is a journalist, science writer, and native of the Mojave Desert. He has worked with multiple government agencies and non-profit organizations including the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and National Parks Conservation Association to name a few. In conjunction with biologists Luke has aided in the preservation of some iconic and threatened desert wildlife including the Mojave Desert Tortoise and Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard. The passion that Luke has for the fauna of his desert home led him to pursue a career in science writing. Luke is the editor and head author of HCI's members only Newsletter "The Shed".
Justin Smith - Editor
Justin Smith is co-publisher of Herpetoculture Magazine as well as a host of Snakes & Stogies and The Herpetoculture Podcast. He has a passion for helping build brands, marketing, especially in the world of herpetoculture. He keeps multiple species at home with a focus on Baird’s Ratsnakes, Boiga, Green Tree Pythons, and South Carolina native colubrids. Even though he was a Navy kid, the South Carolina low-country has always been home.
Justin Smith is co-publisher of Herpetoculture Magazine as well as a host of Snakes & Stogies and The Herpetoculture Podcast. He has a passion for helping build brands, marketing, especially in the world of herpetoculture. He keeps multiple species at home with a focus on Baird’s Ratsnakes, Boiga, Green Tree Pythons, and South Carolina native colubrids. Even though he was a Navy kid, the South Carolina low-country has always been home.
Kim Massyn - Fundraising Coordinator
BIO COMING SOON
BIO COMING SOON
Conysita Mcalvet - Spanish Translator
BIO COMING SOON
BIO COMING SOON
Heather Seals - HCI Artist
Heather Seals pursues a career in the arts utilizing both traditional and digital media and has been professionally tattooing for over 10 years. A naturalist at heart, she is involved in the herpetocultre community as a keeper and field herper. Heather's passion is to nurture a curiosity about nature in others and will always volunteer her time and artistic service for conservation efforts.
Heather's art is featured in the CARE (Chytrid Awareness for Reserves and Ecolodges) project, on both the posters, the webpage and the related fundraising merchandise.
Heather Seals pursues a career in the arts utilizing both traditional and digital media and has been professionally tattooing for over 10 years. A naturalist at heart, she is involved in the herpetocultre community as a keeper and field herper. Heather's passion is to nurture a curiosity about nature in others and will always volunteer her time and artistic service for conservation efforts.
Heather's art is featured in the CARE (Chytrid Awareness for Reserves and Ecolodges) project, on both the posters, the webpage and the related fundraising merchandise.
