MORGAN KEAY

Executive Director/Co-Founder

2002 - Present

Morgan is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Itgel Foundation, and serves as project leader for the Reindeer Life Project (RLP). Morgan established The Itgel Foundation and the RLP after living with Tsaatan herders in 2002 working to develop collaborative responses to current threats within the community. Since that time she has split her time between Boulder, Colorado and Mongolia, overseeing Itgel's operations in both locations, while continuing to study Mongolian language and culture. Her research and experiences in Mongolia have served as the basis for various publications and speaking engagements throughout the U.S. She is an active member of the Reindeer Owners and Breeders Association, sits on the board of the Gandan Temple Project, and was awarded honorary membership in the Mongolian Community Association of Colorado for her outstanding service and contributions to the Mongolian community. Morgan holds a bachelor's degree in the fields of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology and Religious Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and is alumni of the School for International Training (SIT) Culture & Development program in Mongolia.

DR. JERRY HAIGH

Lead Scientific Expert

2004 - Present

Dr. Jerry Haigh BVMS MSc FRCVS is employed at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada. Before moving to Canada he worked for ten years in East Africa and has published a memoir of those times called Wrestling With Rhinos: The Adventures of a Glasgow Vet in Kenya. He has thirty years of experience with several species of both wild and domestic deer on four continents as well as a long-term continuing interest in African wildlife.  He maintains this interest by taking senior veterinary students from Saskatoon to Uganda every year and has a second manuscript about African wildlife work on the way. He has published a book on deer farming as well as over 300 scientific, extension and magazine articles on a variety of topics related to deer farming, wildlife and wildlife utilization.

MEAGAN FLENNIKEN

Program Director

2005 - Present

Meagan is an undergraduate student at Cornell University majoring in Biology & Society and Pre-veterinary Medicine. Meagan's extensive volunteer and work experience includes wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary assistance endeavors throughout the United States and a work-study residency at Colorado's Rocky Mountain Shambhala Center. She began her work with Itgel in 2005 by designing and conducting an extensive research investigation focusing on forage availability and reindeer nutrition in the Mongolian taiga in collaboration with the University of Alaska's Reindeer Research Program. Her research represents never-before documented information on Mongolia's floral diversity and range utilization by Tsaatan herders. She will be returning to Mongolia with Itgel in 2006 to continue this and other research.

BILL COYLE

Field Staff

2005 - Present

Bill owns and operates a sod farm outside Denver, Colorado and is the proud owner of fifteen reindeer. A member of the Reindeer Owners and Breeders Association, Bill's interest in reindeer has taken him to Alaska where he served as a volunteer with UAF's Reindeer Research Program, and to Mongolia where he served as an Itgel field volunteer in 2005.

FABIEN MAVROT ("OVGOR")

Field Staff

2006 - Present

In his final year of study in veterinary medicine in Switzerland, Fabien joins Itgel as a visiting researcher focusing on parasitology, serology, and remote herd health assesments/treatments. His research with Itgel has contributed vital knowledge towards understanding the health challenges facinge the Tsaatan's herd.

A native French speaker, Fabien is also fluent in German, Greek, and English.

SARANZAYA ENEBISH (SARAA)

Field Staff

2006 - Present

Saraa will soon complete her degree in medicine from the Health Sciences University of Mongolia, where she is active in several extra-curricular research groups and student organizations. Saraa'a proposal to conduct service-based research on human Brucellosis in the Tsaatan community was selected by Itgel, and Saraa joined our team in the field in 2006.

Her cutting-edge research using both serological and PCR techniques brought diagnostic services and health education to remote herders, and helped shed light on disease matters affecting this community.

LESLIE DAVIS ("JIJIG SHAR")

Field Staff

2006 - Present

Leslie Davis joins the Itgel team as a visiting researcher from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, an institute that has awarded her credit in the department of Biology for her work with The Itgel Foundation.

Collaborating with Itgel partners at the University of Alaska, Leslie designed and executed the first-ever population-wide demographic study to be used for critical herd improvement programs in the Tsaatan community. This endeavor was enriched by Leslie's experience working with the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission as a data acquisition specialist and on resource monitoring investigations. Her research interests are in the areas of animal behavior and human/wildlife interactions.

STEPHEN DENORSCIA

Field Staff

2006 - Present

Stephen DeNorscia, Co-Director Ringing Rocks Foundation: Stephen has been working hard to fulfill the Ringing Rocks mission of conserving and documenting indigenous healing practices and cultural traditions. He has been hosting an interesting and informative event series which brings traditional healers and partnering NGOs to The Healing Nautilus exhibition center in Sedona Arizona to help spread awareness and understanding of the importance of indigenous wisdom. His work with Itgel has been to develop the graphical presentations for the Tsaatan Community and Visitors Center along side other key members of the Itgel team.

JOSIE TEURLINGS

Field Staff

2006 - Present

On leave from her position at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Josie Teurlings joins Itgel as a member of our 2006 field staff, with a particular interest in information dissemination and research outreach.

She brings her experience in these areas to her position as a leader in Itgel's project to establish the Tsaatan Community & Visitors Center, and to spread awareness of the project's value. Josie holds a master's degree in Natural Resource Management and a BSc in tropical agriculture, and has worked in the field of rural development throughout Asia and South America. Originally from Holland, Josie now resides in Norway.

LINDA LABLANS

Itgel Field Staff

2006 - Present

Seeking an adventure that allowed them to travel around the world and engage with local communities, Linda and partner Mark Hoksberg set off on a so-called "Big Trip" in 2005, which eventually led them to Itgel. The two served Itgel through on-site work with the Tsaatan community, helping to advance elements associated with the newly established Tsaatan Community& Visitors Center. The job was well-suited for Linda, who earned her bachelor's degree in Facilities Management in her home country The Netherlands. As a result of her Big Trip adventures, Linda now serves as Secretary of the Board for SCF India, a foundation running grassroots development projects in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in central India.

MARK HOKSBERG

Itgel Field Staff

2006 - Present

With partner Linda Lablans, Mark set out to travel the world with the strategy of connecting with local communities by picking up local languages, trying local cuisine, and traveling as the locals do. The two have traveled throughout India, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and other countries. Upon arriving in Mongolia, Mark and Linda joined Itgel with a desire to serve the Tsaatan community through service at the Tsaatan Community & Visitors Center. Originally from The Netherlands, Mark holds a bachelor's degree in Nature Conservation and Environmental Management. An avid birdwatcher and sailor, Mark has used his love of the outdoors to develop environmental education curricula for school children in The Netherlands and India.

DR. ERDENEBAATAR J.

Itgel Veterinary Partner

2005 - Present

Dr. Erdenebaatar is the lead veterinary researcher at Mongolia's Institute of Veterinary Medicine. He has conducted extensive research on infectious diseases in various species including reindeer, working on international task forces and research investigations in at least three countries. Dr. Erdenebaatar serves as Itgel's primary scientific contact in Mongolia, responsible for laboratory investigations and strategic planning.

BYAMBADORJ ALTANKHUYAG (BYAMBAA)

Program Coordinator

2005 - Present

Byambaa has provided translation and cultural expertise for Itgel’s projects, acting as a liaison between professional team members and Tsaatan individuals. He has extensive experience as a logistics coordinator and guide, and has worked with Itgel in the U.S. as well as Mongolia to develop project plans, train volunteers, and coordinate with international partners.

ADAM GIBBONS

Field Staff

2005 - Present

Adam is an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado at Boulder majoring in International Affairs and French. Adam began his work with Itgel as an intern at our Boulder office in 2005, providing essential support for our US-based operations. Looking to continue his involvement with the foundation, Adam proposed and was awarded a UROP research grant from the University of Colorado to conduct an investigation on existing and potential economic opportunities in the Tsaatan community as part of Itgel's 2005 field season.

His research helped to document current trends and inform socio-economic initiatives Itgel has since launched in collaboration with Tsaatan herders.

VICTORIA GERWING

Itgel Research Scientist

2005 - Present

Vicki is a Research Scientist at Bova Can Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a genetics lab that conducts critical research to support Canada's livestock industry. Born in Saskatchewan, Canada on a mixed farm, Vicki's love of science, animals, and the outdoors has been fostered ever since. In 2005 Vicki joined the Itgel team in Mongolia where she conducted ground-breaking research at the molecular level on diseases in the Tsaatan's reindeer herd. Her ongoing efforts have helped inform Itgel's treatment and prevention programs, and have provided novel information to the global scientific community.

LILIANA GOLDMAN

Co-Founder/Project Director

2002 - 2004

Liliana holds a Bachelor's degree from Williams College in the field of Music where she graduated with Cum Laude honors while simultaneously pursing the study of chemistry. She was awarded the Florence Chandler Fellowship in 2003, enabling her to conduct extensive ethnomusicology research on indigenous musical traditions in India and Hungary. In 2002, Liliana studied with master Long Song musician Dadsuren Garov, inspiring her to commence the Dadsuren Traditional Music Project for which she served as Project Director in its critical first years. An accomplished linguist, Liliana's mastery of five languages, including Mongolian, served to enrich her participation in the School for International Training (SIT) Culture & Development program in Mongolia, and her travels throughout the world.

BADAMTSETSEG TSEDENNYAM (BADAMAA)

Program Coordinator

2002 - 2004

Badamaa's skills and support provided critical resources to Itgel during its first years as an organization. As a skilled language teacher, Badamaa helped develop our staff's ability to work with efficiency and ease in-country, while her talents as a field translator helped to advance project goals. She has worked with Itgel in the U.S. as well as Mongolia, and continues to provide advice and expertise to the foundation. She holds a master's degree in literature from Mongolia's University of Humanities.

BORHOO

Community Liaison/Tsaatan Veterinary Partner

2002 - Present

Borhoo is a Tsaatan herder and veterinary professional. His expertise lies in the areas of traditional healing, herd management, integrative treatments, and sustainable harvesting of reindeer resources. He has worked closely with The Itgel Foundation since 2002, and serves as a liaison between Itgel staff and Tsaatan herders to ensure capacity building and ongoing collaboration with the Tsaatan community.

BAYANMONK

Horseman and Guide

Bayanmonk is a rural herder and a lifelong resident of Mongolia's Hovsgol province. A member of Hovsgol's majority ethnic group, Dharhat, Bayanmonk has spent his life as a neighbor of the Tsaatan community, and has formed close relationships with nearly every Tsaatan family. Bayanmonk has served as Itgel's horseman and guide since its establishment in 2002, a crucial role in the rugged terrain in which Itgel works. An avid singer, award-winning race horse trainer, and respected community member, Bayanmonk brings a dynamic element to our field seasons.

GREG FINSTAD

Greg is the Director of the University of Alaska's Reindeer Research Program, a dynamic program that develops and promotes the production of reindeer in the state of Alaska through research and collaboration with producers and local communities. Greg has worked with indigenous Alaskan communities and reindeer more than 25 years, helping to implement cutting-edge programs that have increased the biological and economic sustainability of reindeer husbandry in Alaska. His extensive publications and research interests span the fields of wildlife ecology, range management, plant-animal interactions, climate-vegetation dynamics, stable isotope chemistry, and reindeer management.
As an Itgel advisor, Greg provides valuable knowledge pertaining to reindeer husbandry as it occurs in indigenous communities and serves as a research advisor for to Itgel's investigations on forage availability and reindeer nutrition in Mongolia.

DR. ROBERT DIETERICH, DVM

Bio Coming Soon

DADSUREN GAROV

Music School Headmaster

Dadsuren is a rural herder and lifelong resident of Deren soum (village) in Dundgovi aimag (province), a province known throughout Mongolia as “The singing aimag,” and the birthplace of Long Song. Having mastered the art of Long Song as a child, Dadsuren employed the technique in a pastoral setting, using Long Song as a means of communicating with animals during his activities as a herder. As an adult, Dadsuren was recognized as a Master Long Song Singer, and had the opportunity to instruct the late Norovbunzad, the nation’s most widely recognized singer of Long Song, in the distinct tradition of countryside Long Song. During his time instructing Itgel’s co-founder Liliana Goldman in the tradition, Dadsuren expressed his dream of having a school for the teaching of Long Song, so that the now-endangered tradition could be revitalized for future generations.

BOARD OF ADVISORS

• Dr. Jerry C. Haigh See Bio
• Mr. Greg Finstad See Bio
• Dr. Robert Dieterich See Bio
• Mr. Borhoo See Bio
• Mr. Dadsuren Garov See Bio