• Principle investigator and experienced Pemon guide in the Kamarata Valley provides his invaluable observational information regarding faunal distribution on Auyan Tepui. As a leader of Angel Ecotours and contributor to Angel Conservation, Mr. Berti brings years of field experience and an intimate knowledge of the Tepui ecosystems to Biokryptos. Mr. Berti is fluent in English, Spanish, and Pemon, and conversant in Japanese and German.

Board of Directors:

Laszlo Barkoczy CEO, Biokryptos

• Mr. Laszlo Bela Hadik-Barkoczy is the President and CEO of Biokryptos. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2008 with a B.A. in International Relations, focusing on Security and Development. He initiated the Tepui Watch program in 2012 with a camera trap pilot study, and continued his efforts with the 2014 Auyan Tepui expedition, and the full implementation of the Tepui Watch program in February of 2015. His blog Biokryptos is the result of his work investigating the intersection of International Relations theory and the realities of global climate change, tracking how organizations and the international system responds to new developments in the biological sciences and natural world.

Mary Elizabeth Hadik-Barkoczy: Treasurer

• Mary is a founding member of Biokryptos and Tepui Watch, and participated in the first large scale expedition to Auyan Tepui in 2014. Mary has an AA in Anthropology and an AS in Interior Design, and over 10 years in green/ecological design and construction in California. About Biokryptos, Mary says “I am excited to be working in a scientific endeavor to explore and conserve the unique biodiversity of the Guiana Highlands. As a Choctaw American, I am excited to be working with the indigenous Pemon people of Kamarata to help insure their heritage is preserved for future generations, and guarantee that they have control over their lands and environment.” Mary’s unique perspective and experience in green design and sustainable building and cultural studies helps Biokryptos focus on the connection between nature and human society.

Alberto Pomares: Secretary: Field Program Manager and Photographer

• Mr. Pomares is a well-knownVenezuelan photographer, avid naturalist and Scuba diver, with decades of experience photographing all aspects of Venezuelan society and natural history. A seasoned Tepui explorer, Mr. Pomares uses his years of field work, expedition planning, and GIS analysis to assist the efforts of Biokryptos.

Vittorio Assandria: Expedition Leader/Logistics and Travel

• Mr. Assandria is an accomplished pilot, who since 1998 has been engaged in philanthropic assistance to the Pemon community in Kamarata. He is a board member of the Jimmie Angel Historical Society, and a member of Fundaccion Etnika, and a founding member of Aviación para la Salud, (ALAS) Aviation for Health. Mr. Assandria is a tremendous asset to Biokryptos, his expertise as a pilot and leader makes him invaluable in the continuing success of Biokryptos field opperations.

Paul Graham Stanley: Travel and Operations

• Mr. Stanley is the founder and president of Angel Conservation and Angel Ecotours, and works with other non-profits and organizations which promote and develop sustainable tourism. Mr. Stanley has spearheaded many projects in the Kamarata Valley to assist and promote the health and wellbeing of the Pemon. He is deeply interested in maintaining the cultural identity of the Pemon people, and has initiated projects to assist the Pemon to maintain their culture and develop sustainable methods in tourism in Canaima and Kamarata.

Randall B. Chiu: Technical and Experiment Design Chief

• In 2003, Randall moved to Colorado to start his undergraduate degree in math at the University of Colorado at Boulder. At the same time, he started working as a laboratory technician at a geochemistry research laboratory at the US Geological Survey. Randall has contributed to nine research trips to Yellowstone National Park, sampling spring and river waters for chemical analyses to gain insight into the hydrothermal system deep underground. A few years after receiving his math degree, Randall returned to college to work on a second bachelor’s in chemistry, and then applied and was accepted to the chemistry PhD program at CU. Through CU, Randall has had the great privilege of working on a lab campaign with colleagues in Lyon, France. Randall’s research involves fatty acid chemistry at the air-sea interface. Randall has been involved in technical experimentation and research design for Biokryptos since before the inception of our non-profit, and assists in continuing improvements for Biokryptos field research methods.