Our Team

Michelle Schroeder

Michelle is a seasoned Conservation Biologist with an MSc in Conservation Biology from the University of Cape Town and is a current PhD candidate. Her research uses innovative combinations of detection dog surveys and molecular analysis to study black-footed cat populations, one of Africa’s most elusive small carnivores.

With nearly a decade of fieldwork experience in the Sierra Nevada Mountains as a biologist working alongside her canine partners, Michelle brings deep expertise in noninvasive monitoring. She has conducted research across diverse ecosystems—from tracking pygmy rabbits in North America to working with elephants in Southern Africa, and from arid deserts to tropical rainforests. As founder of Canines for African Nature, Michelle is passionate about advancing biodiversity conservation for Africa’s overlooked species through ethical detection dog training, noninvasive genetics, and local research partnerships.

Aliénor Brassine

Ali is a Professional Natural Scientist (SACNASP registration: 116197) with an MSc from Rhodes University (2015). As an independent faunal specialist, Ali focuses on surveying rare and endangered species, combining her passion for exploring new landscapes with innovative survey design to improve ecosystem health and landscape connectivity. With over 15 years of experience in camera trapping and certified to work alongside conservation detection dogs, Ali brings a wealth of field and project expertise from diverse environments including the Karoo, Kalahari, Albany Thickets, Namibia, and Botswana. Her deep knowledge of Southern African ecosystems and dedication to improving wildlife monitoring make her an invaluable member of the team.

Jordan Meyer Morgan, Canines for African Nature

Dr Jordana Meyer Morgan

While Jordana is currently dogless, she makes up for it as a world expert in molecular scatology, ranging from hormone analysis to DNA metabarcoding. Jordana has a PhD from Stanford University’s Program for Conservation Genomics where she has pushed the boundaries of noninvasive sampling methods to measure species interactions and construct Molecular Ecological Network Analysis (MENA). Jordana is the founder of Webs of Nature Consultancy and works across Africa leading biodiversity research in partnership with NGOs such as African Parks and The Wilderness Project.

To meet the canine members of the team, visit our dogs page!

MEET THE DOGS