Who we are

Director and Senior Researcher

BSc Hons (Portsmouth, England) PhD (Stirling, Scotland)

Kevin is the longest standing member and Director of the CRRU team. In addition to almost 15 years in the field of cetology, Kevin has an eclectic background in marine and fisheries science. He formerly taught at the University of Bangor as an honorary lecturer on the MSc Marine Mammal Science degree, but now dedicates all his time to the CRRU charity with projects in Scotland, Gibraltar and Thailand. In July 2005, Kevin received the ultimate accolade for his work with the CRRU, receiving a Royal approval from Princess Anne at an honorary maritime reception at Holyrood Palace.

Volunteer Coordinator

Joining us in May 2012, Kirsten is the newest member of the CRRU team. As a full-time member of staff, her role includes assisting in all aspects of the general management and coordination of the CRRU's summer field programme, including the organisation of curricular and recreational activities for participating volunteers. Kirsten has worked on a senior management level in a wide range of disciplines, but most recently as an international accounts manager for an organic spa company. She has a wicked sense of humour and enjoys laughing, good food (gluten-free, vegetarian), wine and company. She also loves snorkelling, body pump classes, hot, sunny weather and all things beauty!

Senior Researcher

BSc (Milan, Italy) MSc (Milan, Italy)

Enjoying a broad and dynamic background in marine and freshwater biology, Marina has worked with museum collections, sea grass communities, coral reef health and conservation, marine protected areas, and for the last 8 years field studies with cetaceans in the Mediterranean and Red Seas and in Scotland. Marina is an experienced boat skipper, accomplished field cetologist and a very popular member of the CRRU team. She is also an advanced scuba diver and loves languages, politics and photography.

Senior Researcher

MSc (Bremen, Germany) MSc (Bangor, Wales)

Sonja (or Pine as she is more affectionately known) is a senior researcher with the CRRU team who has been involved with the charity since 2003 when she formerly completed her MSc in Marine Mammal Science under the supervision of Dr. Robinson. She currently works with the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society in Chippenham, but regularly assists with the volunteer teams during the summer months. Boasting an impressive publication record, Pine is also a keen sportswoman and an accomplished violinist.

Honorary Researcher

BSc Hons (Newcastle, England) MSc (Bangor, Wales) PhD (Bangor, Wales)

Mike first joined the CRRU in 2002 and eventually carried out his MSc thesis on the habitat preference of minke whales with the team in 2004. In 2006, he commenced a PhD study on his beloved minke whales jointly supervised by Drs Kevin Robinson and Gay Mitchelson-Jacob from the University of Wales, Bangor. Mike currently alternates his busy study schedule between Scotland, Iceland, Canada and Japan and is still very much a key player in the CRRU research dynamic.

Research Assistant

BSc (Portsmouth, England)

Gary has been a core member of the CRRU research team since he first joined the organisation back in 2006. Having worked on marine mammal projects in Scotland, the Philippines, Belize and California, he is a very experienced field team leader and boat handler. A extremely personable member of the team, Gary is also a keen photographer and very talented guitarist/musician.

Research Assistant

BSc (Napier, Scotland)

Izzy first joined the CRRU team as a volunteer in 2009, during her second year at university, when she fell in love with Gardenstown and the Moray Firth. She subsequently went on to carry out her BSc thesis on the diving ecology of minke whales under the supervision of Dr. Kevin Robinson. Izzy joins the team in July 2011 as a full time research assistant.

Research Assistant & Membership Secretary

Bev originally joined the CRRU in 2007 as a corporate volunteer from Reed Elsevier and a valued member of their Green Team infrastructure. Since then, she has provided administrative support to the charity, assisted with fund raising and promotion, and more recently was appointed as CRRU Membership Secretary. Bev also regularly joins the volunteer teams throughout the summer field season as a supporting staff member.

Marine Mammal Observer & Board of Trustees

In addition to his role as a trustee of the charity, Dave is an experienced Marine Mammal Observer, having worked on seismic survey ships in the UK, Norway, Brazil and Japan since 2001. In his spare time he is an accomplished musician, and in 1999 he produced a fund-raising CD for the CRRU called "Bottlenose Boogie" with his partner Barbi. Dave has been actively involved with the charity since 1998 and remains a great friend and enthusiast.

Treasurer & Board of Trustees

Barbi is a long-term contributing member and supporter of the CRRU and a great asset to the charity. She has worked with the core team both in the field and on-shore since 1998, and has been treasurer to the organisation since 2004. She recently helped to secure a number of estimable grants for the charity, and her dedication to the objects and ethos of the CRRU are second to none.

Secretary & Board of Trustees

Veronica has been involved with the charity since she first volunteered with administrative work in 1999. She has worked in the chartable sector for a large number of years, and lends this experience to her role as Trustee and Secretary to the organisation over the last 7 years.