Our Team
The Asclepius Snakebite Foundation is composed of many of the world's leading experts in snakebite medicine, herpetology, antivenom research, and a range of other fields. We are united by a shared passion to save lives the and limbs of snakebite patients worldwide, and bring decades of combined experience and a proven track record of success.
Executive Board
JORDAN BENJAMIN, NRP FAWM
FOUNDER
Jordan Benjamin is a herpetologist, wilderness paramedic, and scientist with more than a decade of experience in snakebite treatment, research, and training in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Jordan is an expert in the clinical management of snakebites and other envenomations in austere, wilderness, and operational medicine environments. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and serves as a primary subject matter expert on austere snake envenomation management for the United States Department of Defense and special operations medicine community.
Jordan is passionate about improving patient outcomes in the remote areas where 95% of snakebites occur and working in the field alongside local partners to develop innovative, sustainable solutions in the places with the greatest need. He is preparing to apply to medical school and plans to devote his career as a physician working to address the burden of snakebite in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world.
Jordan Benjamin, NRP FAWM
JASON FOLT, MD FAWM
EMERGENY MEDICINE/WILDERNESS MEDICINE
Jason Folt is an emergency medicine physician with a lifelong interest in herpetology and envenomations. He graduated medical school from the University of Cincinnati and his passion for snakebites was a primary driver for pursuing emergency medicine. He completed his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and has since stayed in Michigan where he now serves as the Associate Program Director for the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine. While Michigan does not have a high incidence of snakebite, one of his goals is to ensure his residents have received ample envenomation management training and are equipped with the appropriate foundational knowledge to help their patients anywhere they ultimately practice. His other professional interests include wilderness medicine and emergent airway management.
Jason Folt, MD FAWM
NICK BRANDEHOFF, MD
Executive Director
Dr. Nicklaus Brandehoff is board-certified in emergency medicine, medical toxicology, and addiction medicine with a passion for herpetology and a specialization in the research and treatment of envenomations. He received his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of California San Francisco, completed residency in Emergency Medicine at UCSF-Fresno, and subsequently went on to complete a Medical Toxicology Fellowship at the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center.
Dr. Brandehoff practices emergency medicine and medical toxicology in both Colorado and California. He has an appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, is faculty at the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center and Denver Health. He has won numerous awards as an educator and published multiple articles and book chapters on the subject of envenomations.
Nick Brandehoff, MD
JACK DOOLEY, MS NRP
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Jack Dooley is an experienced paramedic, analyst and global health researcher who recently earned his MS in international relations from Northeastern University.
Jack has extensive experience in global health and has worked to design impactful initiatives for many communities around the world. Jack is responsible for managing the daily operations of the organization and ensuring that projects are thoughtfully designed and executed.
Jack Dooley, MS NRP
KATE JACKSON, PHD
DIRECTOR OF HERPETOLOGY
Herpetologist Kate Jackson is a Professor of Biology at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, USA. She received her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Toronto, and Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard University. Her research focuses on the herpetological diversity of the Congo River drainage basin and on the morphology and evolution of snakes. Over the past 2+ decades she has carried out fieldwork in the Republic of Congo, conducting research into the herpetology of part of the world that has been neglected by science due to the extreme challenges of working in that environment. She is the author of several books, including Snakes of Central and Western Africa (Johns Hopkins University Press 2019) with collaborator Jean-Philippe Chippaux, as well as numerous peer-reviewed papers, and this online genus-level key to the snakes of West and Central Africa.
Kate Jackson, PhD
Advisory Board
LESLIE BOYER, MD
Leslie Boyer is a renowned physician-scientist and toxicologist who dedicated her career to finding solutions for envenomation by snakes, scorpions, and spiders. She is one of the foremost experts on envenomations in North America. She was the designer and central principal investigator of multiple pivotal and supplemental clinical trials of antivenoms in commercial and investigational use for treatment of envenomation.
Leslie officially retired in 2018 but is using her newfound freedom to engage in ongoing international collaborations in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Leslie brings an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to our organization and we are very lucky to have her aboard.
Leslie Boyer, MD
RAY MORGAN
Ray Morgan is a documentary filmmaker and science communicator with a special interest in venomous herpetology. He is widely known for producing The Venom Interviews, a documentary film showcasing the work and science of venomous herpetology and the people who do it.
Ray has worked with the African Society of Venimologie to produce a series of videos about snakebite medicine for healthcare workers in Africa. He brings extensive experience in the media and film communities to our team.
Ray Morgan
JEAN-PHILIPPE CHIPPAUX, MD PHD
Jean-Philippe Chippaux is a physician-scientist and one of the foremost experts on snakebite medicine and envenomations in the world. He has authored several books and over 250 scientific articles on envenomations and tropical diseases, half of which were on snakes or snakebites.
Jean-Philippe is based out of the French IRD and Pasteur Institute and is currently leading a new international working group to address snakebite in the developing world. He has spent most of his life living and working sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, and he brings an unparalleled knowledge of how to develop and implement innovative strategies for complex public health problems that fit within the confines of the challenging environments where the toll of neglected tropical diseases is highest.
Jean-Philippe Chippaux, MD PhD
Team Members
We have a wonderful group of dedicated team members who volunteer to help run the organization by offering their expertise in areas such as medicine, herpetology, marketing and operations.
HEATHER AMBROSE, MS MBA
MARKETING/OPERATIONS
Heather Ambrose has a MS in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and MBA from the University of Illinois. She currently serves as an Area Vice President for Komodo Health.
Heather became interested in the global burden of snakebite on communities that lack access to safe antivenoms through her work in the pharmaceutical industry where she spent two decades contributing to the commercialization of an FDA approved antivenom and supporting research on venom toxins, envenomation sequelae, effective treatment strategies, and functional outcomes.
Heather is a passionate patient advocate who strives to help lower the burden of disease – particularly in snakebite and oncology patients.
Heather Ambrose, MS MBA
OUSMANE BALDÉ, MD
PHYSICIAN
Ousmane Baldé, MD
SEAN BUSH, MD
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Dr. Sean Bush is an American emergency physician, researcher, author, and presenter on the topic of envenomations (venomous bites and stings). His work has spanned over 25 years and was the subject of the 11-part television series, Venom ER [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apvnqrvd9OE]. For his work, Dr. Bush received a certificate of appreciation from the White House Medical Unit and three Wilderness Medical Society Research Awards. He has been integrally involved in clinical trials evaluating the safety of antivenoms for snake and spider bites.
In 2022, Dr. Bush was elected President of the North American Society of Toxinology. He also serves on the World Health Organization Snakebite Envenoming Roster of Experts and on the Data Safety Monitoring Board for an international clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of an oral medication for snakebites.
He is also the father of two thriving young people (in his words) “first and foremost.”
Sean Bush, MD
MARIAM CONTE
NURSE
Miriam Conte
EUGENE ERULU, MD
PHYSICIAN
Eugene Erulu is a Kenyan physician who has been deeply involved in the snakebite community through his work with the Bio-Ken Snake Farm for many years. He runs Watamu Hospital and regularly treats severe envenomations by a range of species. He is also involved in numerous research projects aimed at developing new strategies and antivenoms for snakebite treatment in Africa.
Eugene Erulu, MD
ERIC GREN, PHD
Eric Gren is a herpetologist and venom researcher who earned his PhD at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine investigating the influence of environmental and genetic factors on intraspecific variation of venom composition in rattlesnakes. Eric completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Instituto Butantan in São Paulo, Brazil studying interspecific venom variation in South American pit vipers. In addition to research, Eric works to promote public support for environmental stewardship through community engagement in ecology education and research projects.
Eric Gren, PhD
KORI JOHNSON
MARKETING/OPERATIONS
Kori Johnson received her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama majoring in advertising and public relations with a minor in computer technology and applications.
After establishing her career as an art director, she welcomed her promotion to stay at home mom of three little ones. Her love for creativity and snakes connected her with Asclepius Snakebite Foundation where she delighted creating content for their website and fundraising. When asked if she wanted to be more involved, she dusted off her old textbooks and made a plan. Kori loves working with the fabulous group of individuals and hopes to broaden ASF’s popularity via content creation and advice regarding elements of design and marketing.
Kori Johnson
JEAN MOUSSA
NURSE
Jean Moussa
Eloise is a general physician from French Reunion university with a special interest in emergency and humanitarian medicine in Africa.
She decided to take a year off for a humanitarian medical mission throughout west Africa to specifically help with the treatment of snakebite as it is an underestimated public health issue. I got the chance to meet passionate members of ASF in Guinea that taught me so much about their passion and snakes that it became one of mine.
The treatment of snakebites is a wonderful and fulfilling mission!
Fun Fact: I was really scared and not familiar with snakes before, and now I love them!
Eloise Ringeval, MD
BRYAN WILSON, MD
EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN/PEDIATRICIAN/
MEDICAL TOXICOLOGIST
Dr. Bryan Wilson is an emergency physician, pediatrician, and medical toxicologist with a passion for natural toxins and global health. He completed his Doctorate of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He subsequently completed a combined Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Arizona where he remained to complete a fellowship in Medical Toxicology.
Dr. Wilson is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine where he practices both adult and pediatric emergency medicine as well as medical toxicology. Additionally, he serves as a medical consultant for both the Iowa Poison Control Center and the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center.
Bryan Wilson, MD
CELLOU BALDÉ, PHD
DIRECTOR ASF GUINEA
HERPETOLOGY
Dr. Cellou Baldé is a herpetologist and snakebite expert with the Institute Research Biology Appliquee De Guinée. Dr. Balde established a snakebite clinic in Kindia, Guinea where he treats more than 500 snakebite patients annually. Over 30% of these patients are high acuity envenomations due to neurotoxic elapids, a disproportionately high incidence in comparison to the rest of the continent. Cellou has extensive experience in the management of these patients and has joined forces with ASF to develop innovative strategies to reduce the death and disability caused by snakebite in Guinea.
Cellou Baldé, PhD
AZIZ BALDÉ
GUINEA OPERATIONS
Aziz Baldé
TIGUI CAMARA
NURSE
Tigui Camara
MOHAMMED DIALLO, MD
KINDIA SNAKEBITE CENTER MEDICAL DIRECTOR
PHYSICIAN
Mohammed Diallo, MD
JEFFREY FOBB
HERPETOLOGY/EMS
Jeff Fobb is a retired captain with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue who was assigned to the Emergency Medical Services Division and was a state certified Paramedic/Fighter. He also holds a Venomous Reptile License from the State of Florida. He was a member of Venom One starting in 2006. He has had a fascination with reptiles for as long as he can remember.
Jeff Fobb
LISE BETHY MAVOUNGOU
HERPETOLOGY
I am Lise Bethy MAVOUNGOU, research associate in biological sciences at the National Institute for Research in Exact and Natural Sciences (IRSEN) and doctoral student at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Marien Ngouabi University of Congo Brazzaville. I work on the biogeography of venomous snakes and the epidemiology of snakebites in the Congo.
Lise Bethy Mavoungou
THOMAS NICOLON
PHOTOGRAPHER/REPORTER
Thomas Nicolon is a multimedia storyteller and a National Geographic explorer. His photo work focuses on wildlife conservation, and has been published in National Geographic, Le Monde, Mongabay, Reuters and many more outlets.
Thomas lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo for 5 years, where he worked as a correspondent for news channel France 24, as well as a videographer for WWF, UNHCR and others.
In 2019, he created Lily Productions, a company dedicated to delivering high quality films and photographs to news channels and organizations anywhere in the world.
Thomas Nicolon
BRENT SCHULZE
HERPETOLOGY/MARKETING
Brent Schulze is an ex-rock star turned herpetologist with a passion for venomous snake research, outreach, and education. He is a serial entrepreneur with multiple businesses including snake-handling equipment company Get Hooked LLC and VENOMLIFE Apparel, both of which have committed a percentage of sales as donations to the ASF. Brent is the VP of MToxins and works to provide venom for pharmaceutical products, antivenom, and medical research. Brent loves working with and educating the public about snakes and snakebite, and he has taken on the role of public relations and community outreach coordinator for ASF.
Brent Schulze
ANGE-GHISLAIN ZASSI-BOULOU, PHD
HERPETOLOGY
Ange-Ghislain Zassi-Boulou holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and is the Chief of the Herpetology Research Laboratory at IRSEN (Institut National de Recherche en Sciences Exactes et Naturelles) in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. He is an expert on the herpetofauna of central Africa. His research focuses on the ecology and conservation biology of Congolese herpetofauna, especially snakes.
Ange-Ghislain Zassi-Boulou, PHD
ALPHA BALDÉ, PHD
HERPETOLOGY
After my university studies, I got involved in the field of herpetology. I live in a country where the herpetofauna is still poorly understood and some new species have only been discovered very recently. Serious threats continue to weigh on the amphibians and reptiles of Guinea, such as deforestation, bush fires, and mining. I hold a Master's degree in herpetology and recently finished my PhD on the venomous snakes of Guinea.
Alpha Baldé, PhD
SAIDOU BOUMBALI, MD
PHYSICIAN
Saidou Boumbali, MD
GRACE CHUNG
MARKETING
Grace Chung is a pre-med student studying human biology at Stanford University. She is passionate about conservation, ecology, and environmental health. Grace is particularly interested in tropical medicine and interdisciplinary approaches to human-wildlife conflict, especially those concerning the snakebite issue in Africa. She hopes to help spread awareness about snakebites and support the team at ASF. Outside of ASF, Grace is also a stem cell researcher, licensed falconer, and wildlife photographer.
Grace Chung
NATALIE EBELING-KONING, DO
EMERGENCY MEDICINE/TOXICOLOGY
Dr. Natalie Ebeling-Koning is a board-certified emergency physician and a medical toxicology fellow with particular interests in prehospital medicine, global health, and education. She received her doctorate of osteopathic medicine from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown, New York; completed an emergency medicine residency at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pennsylvania; and will finish her medical toxicology fellowship (also at Lehigh Valley) in 2024. After fellowship, Dr. Ebeling-Koning will be joining Prisma Health in Greenville, South Carolina, as an emergency physician and the Assistant Director of Medical Toxicology.
Her interest in global health was piqued during medical school when she spent time with an organization in rural Uganda providing home-based services for HIV/AIDS and cancer patients, and she saw first-hand the immense difference that basic resources, medical care, education, and compassion can make in a patient's life. She has been fortunate to become involved with ASF, which has enabled her to merge interests in toxicology and global health while contributing to a very worthy cause. She is thrilled to be working with so many amazing, passionate people at ASF and is enjoying learning more about snakes along the way too!
Natalie Ebeling-Koning, DO
BENJAMIN T. GERMAN, MD FACEP
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
I grew up in Central California where I developed a love for nature and specifically reptiles. Venomous animals, in particular, have always interested me. Emergency medicine was a natural choice for to merge my passions of herpetology and medicine. Practicing in Arizona and North Carolina has allowed me to gain significant experience in the management of reptile and arthropod envenomations. I venture into the field, whenever possible, to observe and study reptiles. Highlights include finding most of the venomous animals that inhabit the United States as well as finding cobras, kraits, vipers, and many other snakes in Asia. I am very fortunate to be involved with ASF!
Ben German, MD
CARMEN JARVIS, PA
MARKETING/OPERATIONS
Carmen Jarvis works as a physician assistant in a busy urgent care in Georgia. She received her master of Physician Assistant from Medical College of Georgia in 2012. She first learned about ASF through the National Snakebite Support group. After attending the Denver Venom Conference, her passion ignited for the ASF mission and she joined as a volunteer. She is eager to bring awareness to the devastation that snakebites can have in developing countries and is currently working on a large scale project to collect expired medical supplies from over 40+ clinics in her area for donation to ASF. She's excited to be a part of the team and support the ASF mission.
Carmen Jarvis, PA
MARTIN MILLIMOUNO
HERPETOLOGY/KINDIA SNAKEBITE CENTER
Martin Millimouno graduated from the University of Kindia Department of Biology where he studied physiotoxicology. After his university studies he started an internship at the Institute for Applied Biology of Guinea in the Department of Venomology where he works in the serpentarium and the snakebite clinic. He has been trained in the management of snakebite by the Guinean medical team and enjoys collaborating with ASF in the clinic and in the field.
Jean Moussa
Flo is a thoracic and vascular surgeon from the French Reunion University with an interest in humanitarian medicine in Africa. He has been interested in reptiles from a young age.
After a mission in Madagascar, he got more familiar with tropical diseases and surgery in less sanitary conditions.
He decided to take a year off for a humanitarian medical/surgical mission throughout West Africa, specifically to help in the treatment of snakebites as it is a public health issue.
“I met amazing members of ASF in Guinea and was able to help them perform surgery to implant a radiotracker in a green mamba which was an amazing experience.”
Florent Porez, MD
CARA SMITH, PHD
HERPETOLOGY/VENOMICS
Dr. Cara Smith is doing a Post-Doctorate at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the Metabolomics/Proteomics lab. She was previously in the venom analysis lab at the University of Northern Colorado, where her dissertation research focused on patterns and drivers of venom variation in the Western Rattlesnake complex (Crotalus viridis/oreganus). She recently was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to expand her venomics work in Guinea with ASF.
Cara Smith, PhD
Asclepius Snakebite Foundation was founded by Jordan Benjamin, Jack Dooley, Nick Brandehoff, Eric Gren, Jean-Philippe Chippaux, Leslie Boyer, Kate Jackson, Ray Morgan and Ben Abo.