UK Team
Board of Trustees
Professor T.C. Hales
Prof. T.C. Hales has worked with the Danau Girang Field Centre since 2015, studying deforestation and its impact on river systems and soil erosion.
With expertise in soils, tree root processes, and erosion, he has been involved with Regrow Borneo since its inception, stating, “Regrow Borneo is an opportunity to support these vital forests after seeing firsthand the thin strip of habitat left amidst vast oil palm plantations.”
Dr. Katrina Henderson
Charity Secretary & Strategic Governance
Dr. Katrina has worked in Environmental Management for over 25 years specialising in the Healthcare and Education sectors. Katrina works for Cardiff University managing the ISO14001 Environmental Management System and is part of the Environmental Sustainability team working on the university’s climate commitments.
She also manages Hazardous waste management and is a registered Occupational Hygienist. She is a Chartered member of IOSH and Member of the British Occupational Hygiene Society. Katrina has a PhD in Biomarkers of exposure in indoor and outdoor environments in South Wales. She has previously been a Trustee for the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC).
Prof. Andy Weightman
Professor Andy Weightman is the Head of the Organisms and Environment Division at the School of Biosciences, Cardiff University.
His research focuses on microbial ecology, conservation, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the interactions between organisms and their ecosystems. Dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, he strives to address pressing environmental challenges through innovative research.
Prof. Weightman’s leadership inspires students and researchers to contribute to the understanding and conservation of biodiversity.
Alice Fresson
Communications
Alice Fresson, of Kadazan and Chinese descent, was born in Sabah, Borneo. With over 40 years of experience in London as a Chartered Accountant and leadership coach, she has held executive roles in retail, finance, and business development.
Currently the Chief Operating Officer of a venture capital firm and an Ambassador for the charity Wellbeing of Women, Alice is excited to join Regrow Borneo and contribute to its success in addressing climate change.
Emerita Prof. Susan Baker
Ethics and Partnerships
Emerita Prof. Susan Baker is a co-founder and Co-Director of the Sustainable Places Research Institute at Cardiff University.
With a PhD in governance and extensive experience in forest governance since 2010, she specializes in how governance factors influence ecological restoration success.
Susan is passionate about addressing deforestation in Borneo and is inspired by local communities along the Kinabatangan River, who are actively involved in restoring their lost forests.
Prof. Benoit Goossens
Science
Prof. Benoit Goossens is the Founder and Director of the Danau Girang Field Centre in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, where he leads projects on biodiversity responses to habitat fragmentation and degradation.
He specializes in long-term research on tropical forest species, including the Bornean elephant, proboscis monkey, clouded leopard, sun bear, crocodile, and pangolin. He is also a Professor at Cardiff University and a member of the IUCN SSC’s Asian Wild Cattle, Crocodile, Asian Elephant, and Primate Specialist Groups.
Sabah Team
Rayzigerson Rodney
Research assistant
Rayzigerson plays a crucial role in supporting fieldwork activities for the Regrow Borneo Project’s reforestation efforts.
His work involves hands-on tasks such as planting trees and monitoring their growth, which is essential for restoring the local ecosystem. In addition, Rayzigerson conducts biodiversity surveys, collecting soil samples and other environmental data to assess the health and progress of the restored areas.
His contributions help ensure that the reforestation efforts are sustainable and effective in regenerating Borneo’s precious rainforest.
Amaziasizamora Jumail
Research Officer
Maz, a Research Officer at Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) and PhD student at Cardiff University, hails from Sabah. She began her journey with DGFC in 2014 as a Field Assistant and later pursued a Master’s degree.
Upon graduation, she was appointed as a Research Officer, where she now manages the Regrow Borneo project.
Currently, Maz is working on her PhD, focusing on assessing the impacts of forest restoration on forest structure, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, supported by a fully-funded scholarship from Cardiff University.
KOPEL Team
Saidal Bin Udin
KOPEL General Manager
Saidal Bin Udin serves as the General Manager of KOPEL, overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations.
He is responsible for managing business development, marketing, communications, finance, occupational health and safety, and human resources.
His commitment ensures KOPEL delivers exceptional service, continually enhancing its core business and reputation among tourists, visitors, and customers.
Nur Syazana Fatinah
Conservation Manager
Nur Syazana Fatinah Binti Mohamad Juhari, as Conservation Manager at Regrow Borneo, coordinates KOPEL conservation activities, analyzes environmental data, and oversees forest restoration planning.
She manages tree nursery and planting efforts while ensuring systematic documentation to enhance long-term restoration initiatives.
Norsalleh
Conservation Department Field Supervisor
Norsalleh, the Conservation Department Field Supervisor at Regrow Borneo, oversees forest restoration efforts and identifies suitable sites for KOPEL’s tree planting activities.
He determines appropriate tree species for planting, manages the KOPEL nursery, and sources seeds to support nursery operations, ensuring the success of restoration projects.