Staff Members

Torsten is an undergraduate at Central Washington University from Wenatchee, Washington. He is a 2022 Founder’s Fellow of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and spends much of his free time searching for, researching, or involving himself in some way with reptiles and amphibians. This passion has led him to projects like analysing the genetics of Olympic mountain populations of Northwestern Salamander (Ambystoma gracile), helping with local education about herpetology through organizations like the Chelan-Douglas county Land Trust, and helping write/create content for groups like the Foundation for the Conservation of Salamanders.

Paul is currently an undergraduate student at Syracuse University. He has been fiercely passionate about turtles for as long as he can remember. While primarily residing in the Northeastern United States, his hunger for turtles has brought him to 18 states and 5 countries. Paul regularly conducts fieldwork be it through organizations like Turtle Survival Alliance, USFW, or self-driven data collection. Paul has a particular fascination with Snapping Turtles, Northeastern Emydids, kinosternids, and the genus Graptemys.

When he isn’t out in the field Paul enjoys reading up on turtles, writing, preparing and collecting preserved specimens, ice-fishing, hiking, division one rowing, lifting weights, arm-wrestling, and exploring any natural space.

Paul’s overall goal is to continue to advocate for turtles and their conservation while being directly involved in their conservation and study.

Alex started out as an editor for CheloniaCast but has shifted focus towards assisting in
preparing CheloniaCast episodes along with outlining future podcast goals. He graduated from the
University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Conservation and now lives in Key Largo, Florida, working at Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Alex is from Coconut Creek, Florida, near where he had his first formative experience involving turtles. While living in Gainesville, Florida for 8 years, Alex spent 6 of those years as a member of the Santa Fe River Turtle Project (SFRTP), working with the turtles of the Santa Fe River Basin, where he initially met the members of CheloniaCast and developed a friendship with them. Ultimately, Alex aims to attend graduate school to further heighten his ability to study turtles, where he hopes he can return to Gainesville and continue working with the SFRTP.

Ethan is the lead editor for CheloniaCast. He is a graduate from the University of Florida. He received his B.S. in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation in December 2024, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Ethan is originally from California, his passion for turtles grew once moving to Florida and became a part of the Santa Fe River Turtle Project (SFRTP). The SFRTP opened the door for Ethan to attain field based research. While he is fascinated with everything turtles, his favorites include softshells, box turtles, and kinosternids. Other activities Ethan enjoys are hiking, swimming, writing, bowling, and playing video games. Ethan main goal is to gain an understanding in turtle ecology and help educate people worldwide the importance of turtles.

Kenneth is currently a 4th year undergraduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He produces graphics and thumbnails for the CheloniaCast Podcast and has been involved in research ranging from biomechanics, morphological ecology, and evolutionary biology.

Jack is currently an undergraduate student at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. He lives his life through the pursuit of turtles. While originally from Delaware, his passion for turtle research and conservation pushed him to pursue further education in northern Florida. Jack is an active part of numerous research organizations, including (but not limited to) the Santa Fe River Turtle Project, Turtle Conservancy, Moorcroft Conservation Foundation, and the Turtle Survival Alliance. His passion for turtles has led him as far as the Galápagos islands, his favorite place on earth. While Jack is passionate about all turtles, has a particular interest in Giant tortoises and megacephalic species.

When he’s not in the field, Jack can be found collecting/preparing deceased chelonian specimens, caring for captive turtles, reading, writing, weightlifting, fossil hunting, and searching for his next adventure.

Jack would like his legacy to have a measurable positive impact on turtles. He feels indebted to them; since they provide such fulfillment to his life, he must fight for them to have a future in this world.

Jason graduated college with a biology degree in December of 2023. During his time as an undergrad, he worked as a student caretaker and as a page at his local library. He also volunteered at a raptor rehab and interned at the TSA’s turtle survival center. Since graduating, he’s been doing conservation corps work, wherein he’s been able to learn about the importance and intricacies of maintaining workplace professionalism in complex social environments. In the future, Jason hopes to continue to explore alternative ways to fund his herp related antics while maybe knocking out a masters degree in the process.