Svalbard Odyssey

Dr. Ulyana Horodyskyj is a glaciologist, geologist, astronomy enthusiast and visiting professor of environmental science at Colorado College in the United States.

Ulyana has always been drawn to adventure and science. Her PhD in geological sciences took her deep into the Nepali Himalaya, where she was the lead researcher for the Black Ice Project. She investigated contributions to ice mass loss on debris-covered glaciers, particularly in the Khumbu valley (Everest region). Ulyana went on to complete a post-doc at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, where she looked at how black carbon impacted snow and ice melt on Baffin Island in the Arctic.

Ulyana is especially passionate about science education and outreach. After completing her PhD, she launched an adventure and citizen science initiative called Science in the Wild, aimed at getting people outdoors, thinking like scientists and helping to collect scientific data while on expedition with her in the field. She has also worked with Girls on Ice, a program that takes teenage girls into the wilderness to do small scientific projects. Many of the participants have never set foot on a  mountain. Ulyana is also a member of a citizen science program called Project PoSSUM (polar suborbital science in the upper mesosphere), aimed at educating the public about the upper atmosphere, at the edge of space.

In 2016, Ulyana was chosen as mission commander for an on-the-ground deep space mission with NASA, and was chosen as one of 120 semifinalists (from a pool of 18,354 applicants) for NASA’s 2017 astronaut class.

Ulyana is a keen mountaineer and has climbed Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mont Blanc in the French Alps, Aconcagua (Argentina), Ojos del Salado (Chile), Lobuche East (Nepal) and peaks around Colorado. She also has experience working on an icebreaker in Antarctica and ice caving and climbing in Svalbard. Ulyana is excited to join the team and share the beauty of the geological and glacial landscapes we travel to!

Language: Portuguese (Native), English (Fluent), Spanish (Fluent), French (Limited)

What began as an 8-year-old with a love for whales and dolphins led Dani to dedicate her life to the research and conservation of marine life. Born and raised in Brazil, she graduated with a degree in Marine Biology and a Master's degree in Biological Oceanography before diving into whale research for the next 12 years. After specialising in the study of Humpback Whales’ migratory dynamics of between Antarctica and Brazil, Dani felt inspired go beyond her expectations and share her knowledge.

She began work as a full-time Expedition Guide and Naturalist on ships all over the world, journeying from the warm tropics to the icy polar regions. What she loves about expedition travel is how every voyage is unique and there is always a possibility of something remarkable happening anytime, day or night.

Part outdoor experiential educator and part field biologist, Joselyn began her global education and travel feats at the age of 13. Since then, she has studied field biology in Tanzania and Ecuador, monitored brown bears in Alaska, worked with endangered birds in the forests of Hawaii, taught rock climbing and backpacking in North Carolina, surveyed rare plants in Texas, been employed as a chef and boat driver in the Adirondacks of New York, worked as a biologist and interpretive ranger at a variety of U.S. National Parks, trained in helicopter operations over Maui and deployed as a wildland firefighter in the western United States.

After earning a Master’s degree in Botany, this eclectic background helped her land a job working in support of the US Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station. She went on to spend several seasons on the ice, including two winters at the South Pole where she for a time, the world’s most southerly farmer! After volunteering to give several local tours for both the station community as well as visiting expedition cruise ships, it was a natural step to join the ship-based expedition world as a way to merge her passion for education and desire to experience more of Antarctica - and really the rest of the globe.

When not somewhere far afield with expedition work, back in the U.S, Joselyn spends most of her time in the Big Bend region of far western Texas where she enjoys guiding, botanising, and watching and listening to life go by in the Chihuahuan Desert from the porch of her off-grid, fancy camping home.

Joselyn is passionate about learning more about the world around her, and sharing that passion with others-- hoping to inspire a broader appreciation for, and understanding of, the fascinating world we live in.

Scott Portelli is an international award-winning wildlife, nature and underwater photographer. He’s a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and is regarded as a leading professional in his field. Scott has spent thousands of hours in remote locations across the globe filming and photographing nature, wildlife, the underwater environment and wild places.

Scott has spent over a decade working in the polar regions with a focus on Antarctica, the Subantarctic and Artic regions, producing a unique portfolio of fine art photography that showcases the intricate environment and its intriguing inhabitants. Working in extreme conditions, Scott’s photography provides a rarely seen glimpse above and below the surface in some of the harshest places on the planet.

As a professional nature, wildlife, underwater and aerial photographer, Scott spends a lot of time travelling the world to remote destinations in search of some of the most amazing creatures on the planet. For Scott, it is about the journey, bringing an idea to life by capturing a moment in time or by evoking an emotion. Each image has a unique story that is usually a very intimate moment that Scott may have shared with the subject.

“To create interesting concepts, it sometimes involves me immersing myself in an environment in order to research the location, subject matter and what opportunities may present themselves. I once spent two months on the back of a snow mobile in Baffin Island, Canadian Arctic in minus 37 degrees just to do a reconnaissance of the region for a series of photos I wanted to produce. In the end, I love what I do and I love sharing the natural world through photography.”

Scott was awarded at the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year in London in 2016, announced National Winner of the Sony World Photography Awards 2016 and Winner at Travel Photographer of the Year 2015. More recently, he was awarded winner in the Animal Behaviour Category at the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year ANZANG 2017, winner in the Underwater Category of the Asferico International Nature Photography Awards 2018 and runner up in the Behaviour Category at Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019. His conservation documentary also took out two awards at the prestigious French Underwater Film Festival in Marseille.

Scott's other notable awards include:

• 3^rd Prize - National Geographic Travel Photo Contest - Nature Category 2019
• Winner - 13^th Annual Black & White Spider Awards 2018
• Highly Honoured - Nature's Best, Windland Smith Rice International Awards 2018
• Winner - Sony World Photography Awards 2016

An accredited licensed RPAS/UAV Pilot, Scott has worked on aerial projects for some of Australia’s most sought-after tourism destinations.

Scott runs photography workshops and lectures to show enthusiasts and experts alike the best way to get the most out of their photography. On his Polar tours he specialises in Nature & Wildlife photography bringing the best tips and techniques for photographing in challenging locations.

Languages: Polish (Native), English (Fluent)

Sergey is a highly qualified sea Zodiac driver and expedition specialist from the cold lands of Russia. He is also a boatswain with 16 years' experience. For the last 14 years, Sergei has been training and guiding in Zodiacs in both Antarctica and the Arctic.

“We are all sailors in our family. A whole dynasty. Therefore, I fell in love with the sea in my early childhood. And I always dreamt about travelling," says Sergey.

To follow his dream, Sergey enrolled to serve in the Navy where he underwent thorough training. After graduating from the Marine College, he began work in the Navy. He also graduated from the institute, where he received the highest level of education in management.

“In 2004, I was lucky to get a job at Aurora Expeditions. The same year I met Greg Mortimer. I was amazed at his achievements, his courage, and for the first time I saw a man who conquered Everest. Then I told many of my friends about our meeting. My first trip to the Arctic will always remain in my memory. It’s so beautiful and you will love it forever”.

Sergey enjoyed all the impressions that the Arctic had to offer and meeting wonderful people along the way, many of whom still work with Aurora Expeditions today.

Sergey’s first trip to Antarctica left him with even more impressions. Icebergs, penguins, whales, killer whales, and making more new friends.

“I have always liked working with Aurora and it’s nice when passengers are satisfied with our work," remarks Sergey.

Graeme was working in electronic engineering and IT when he landed a job at the Australian Antarctic Station and fell in love with the great white continent. After 20 years of service, he sought a chance with Antarctic expedition teams to explore beyond the Australian sector. After living in polar regions for 30 years and guiding on over 100 expeditions, Graeme has a unique blend of knowledge and experience that is hard to match. He enjoys being at sea as there is always the chance of something unexpected happening and he thrives on passing on all he’s learnt from fellow researchers. He feels that the better you understand an environment, the greater you appreciate it.

Jack’s passion for the wilderness was sparked during an Aurora Expeditions’ voyage to the Hebrides & Scotland’s Orkney and Shetland Islands. Further travels through Norway’s spectacular fjords, Spitsbergen in the High Arctic, and to the ecological wonder of the Galápagos Islands only reaffirmed his passion for the ocean and wild places.

A keen outdoor enthusiast, he trekked to Nepal’s Everest Base Camp at 14, competes in competitive ocean swims and loves spending time surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding & backcountry skiing. He also has a passion for writing.

Having worked in head office part-time since 2013, Jack now works within the Product Team on a casual basis helping with the onboard development of Aurora Expeditions' new vessels, while spending as much time as he can on the waves of our blue planet as part of our experienced Expedition Team.

Jack is always eager to explore, experience new adventures and share his love of remote places.

Languages: English (Native), Swedish (Limited)

Whether he’s on white-water rafting adventures in the American West or skiing the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, guiding outdoors has always felt natural to Jeff. He maintains the highest level of safety in the Arctic as a firearms master for polar bears. Where early detection is best practice, Jeff thrives off the demand for constant vigilance and counts his binoculars as being a more important tool than even his rifle. He is honoured to take expeditioners right into the heart of nature in some of the wildest and most remote places on earth.

His favourite expedition is Svalbard, specifically a Fjord named Hornsund. This fjord has everything from bird cliffs to magnificent glaciers to towering mountain peaks and is a hot spot for polar bear sightings in southern Svalbard. To Jeff, expedition travel is about getting away from the humdrum of everyday life to gain a truly new perspective. After a lifetime of work in different outdoor industries, he still loves learning from his fellow Expedition Team members, building comradery and exploring together.

Languages: English (Native), French (Fluent), Spanish (Fluent)

Catherine’s diverse work experience as a tour guide in Central America and Cuba, an expedition guide and expedition leader in the polar regions combined with her experience as a sailing yacht captain and as a dive master, gives her a unique outlook on the myriad of ways to experience adventure and travel. Catherine has a soft spot for the west coast of British Columbia, which is close to where she grew up. She loves to explore the Great Bear Rainforest, which remains one of the last untouched areas of true wilderness. Catherine loves being at sea because it fosters a unique sense of comradery she hasn’t experienced anywhere else. On her first visit to the Arctic, Catherine fell madly in love and spent five seasons in the Polar regions, where she was able to marvel at the northern lights and walrus swim in perfect synchronisation. She loves what she does because it allows her to share her passion for adventure, the outdoors, wildlife and wild places with others.

Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Fluent)

Liz has been an explorer since before she can remember. Whether in the mountains, on the water, in the city or just her backyard her curiosity constantly led her off the beaten path and into great adventures. Coming from a long line of seafarers and pirates she has always been naturally drawn to the ocean. She has explored the world’s most remote corners and coastlines by sea kayak.

A professional guide since 2003, Liz works in expedition development, instruction and programs for expedition ships, schools and organisations. She can’t wait to get out amongst the polar waters with our expeditioners in 2022.

Growing up on the South Coast of NSW, the coastline and its beaches were always a second home to Eamon. He would explore the coastline either kayaking, snorkelling, or surfing during ocean swim events. Eamon bought his first kayak with a friend at the age of 13 years old and has had more than one type or another ever since.

The canyons and cliffs of the Blue Mountains soon called to him and a long love of climbing and bushwalking followed. The amazing people he met in the mountains would shape what he wanted to do and become in life.

Eamon transferred from electronics tech industry to outdoor guiding in 1994, and he has been involved in outdoor education, guiding, training, instructing and assessing people in a variety of adventurous pursuits and first aid courses ever since.

He is truly rewarded seeing people enjoy new activities, experience different cultures, and be affected by beautiful natural environments. For years Eamon has lead student teams to Peru, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, NZ, Fiji and Nepal. These expeditions encourage the students to grow in independence, resilience and awareness.

For the last 10 years, he has also been working as a sea kayaking guide in Fiji and beyond. Back at home he continues to guide, teach and share his love of the outdoors with adult and student groups.

His passion for languages, travel and adventure has made for a wealth of great memories and stories.