Project coordinator FOGS
“As a biologist with a focus on public-impact issues, the topic of biodiversity conservation is close to my heart. Coordinating the FOGS project and working with partners who share the same focus and want to do something about wildlife trafficking is a fulfilling challenge!”
Head of Biobank at ZFMK
“As a biologist, I feel it is my obligation to try and help to slow the process at which species and populations disappear from our planet. I hope the FOGS project can even permanently save some of them from being traded in an uncontrolled way.“
Director of the ZFMK
Chair “Systematic Zoology”
Cellculture manager at ZFMK
“The characterization of biodiversity has been the focus of my research line. Thus, being part of the FOGS project through the establishment of viable cell culture from different species as a potential for conservation of biological diversity is a great privilege.”
Collection manager at ZFMK Biobank
“As a geneticist, I am interested in the new methods developed during the FOGS project. They will enable us to determine the population and location of origin of a given individual.”
PhD Student FOGS
“I have always been fascinated by DNA and I want to work in the field of wildlife forensics. Now with FOGS, I can participate in developing SNPSTRs and therefore actively take part in the protection of endangered species.”
Marion Amalfitano
Curatorial assistance at ZFMK Biobank (till April 2020)
“Working for the FOGS project is for me a great opportunity to play a part in the fight against illegal animal trade and biodiversity protection, along with animal breeder, scientist and legal authority.”
Ayodélé Akintayo
Cellculture manager at ZFMK (till August 2021)
“I have always been fascinated by animals and their biodiversity. Helping to preserve that sumptuous richness through the FOGS project is my way to keep on admiring that wonder.”
Head of Biodiversity informatics at ZFMK
Computational Genomics
“Contributing to active species conservation by participating in the FOGS project is a great opportunity for me. Supporting the development of the appropriate bioinformatics tools and workflows is a motivating challenge.”
IT developer (till May 2021)
Network and species protection
“Complex trade dynamics often obscure the actual locality of harvest of commercially lucrative species. This is where the FOGS project fits in well; it verifies the legal offtake (detects violations of the law), informs on a traceable trade, and is decisive in the establishment of adaptive management plans. Thus, an overall reduction of scientific uncertainties could also support a transparent and sustainable trade of regionally and internationally utilized species. “
Network and Chelonian Specialist
“For more than 40 years I have been fund of turtles and tortoises, and currently I am in charge of various projects for breeding and conservation, and especially for detecting illegal chelonian trade. I hope that the FOGS project will develop new genetic tools that are in urgent need in these projects. “
Head of Section Ornithology ZFMK
“What I find remarkable about FOGS is that the project combines basic research and applied aspects, providing important scientific tools to address practical challenges of species conservation.”