About CRC
Crocodile Research Coalition
The Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) is a Belize-based nonprofit, established in January 2016, that seeks to preserve crocodiles and their environments throughout Central America and the Caribbean to ensure the long-term sustainability of biodiversity in the region. We believe the success of our conservation efforts parallels the involvement and support from local communities, thus we are continuously working alongside with local communities and partner organizations to empower people with the knowledge of co-existence and sustainable practices to ensure the survival of crocodiles and well-being of the communities that live beside them. Our outreach also incorporates working with the local and national governments, utilizing our research to better inform policy decisions regarding wildlife and their habitat (= translational ecology).
Although crocodiles are our flagship species in pursuing regional conservation efforts, the CRC recognizes that the conservation success of crocodiles is not only dependent on direct conservation efforts of the focal species, but also understanding how crocodiles interact with its environment and other wildlife as thriving and long-lasting conservation management is dependent on preserving the integrity of ecological interactions. Thus, through our research center in southern Belize, we facilitate research projects investigating crocodiles, as well as the surrounding flora and fauna.
The CRC is currently accruing further funding to build a state-of-the-art research facility on the Placencia Peninsula, however we do have the space and lodging to accommodate interested researchers and small academic groups nationally and internationally who wish to pursue wildlife and conservation research.
Founder
Dr. Marisa Tellez - Executive Director
“If a woman loves a crocodile, she takes on its character.” — Ancient Egyptian Proverb
At an age when most girls were playing with dolls, Dr. Marisa Tellez was developing knowledge of the world’s top predators as she knew at a young age she wanted to be an advocate and leader in the conservation of the world’s apex predators, particularly crocodiles. Books, television, and local wildlife facilities were the only outlets for her to “experience” crocodiles given she was growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California. After receiving a BA in Cultural Anthropology and a BS in Zoology from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2005, Marisa finally got her hands-on experience with crocodilians at the Eco-station in Culver City, California, and soon after began working at the Los Angeles Zoo. It was working at the zoo that she realized she wanted to head back to school and truly pursue scientific research with crocodilians, particularly investigating their interaction with parasites.
Marisa received a Master’s (2010) and PhD (2014) from the University of California, Los Angeles studying the interaction between parasites and crocodilians, publishing a book and various scientific publications. Her work, knowledge and passion for crocodile conservation was quickly acknowledged by the International Union for Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission-Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG), and was soon initiated into the CSG, as well as appointed as the Vice Regional Chair of Latin America for the CSG for her fieldwork in Guatemala, Mexico and Belize which began in 2008.
After receiving a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship through the United States government to research the health and biodiversity of crocodilian habitat in Belize, Marisa soon called Belize home. Observing the difference her research and outreach was making in the local communities, Marisa co-founded the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) to further promote crocodile research and community involvement to assist in the conservation of crocodilians and their habitat.
Meet The Team
Sarah Aly
Jonathan Triminio
Jonathan Triminio
Program Coordinator
Sarah Aly was born in the Netherlands and grew up in a small floral village, where her love for nature first took root. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Future Planet Studies, focused on sustainable solutions for the planet’s future. Sarah first came to Belize in 2015 as a Master’s student in International Development S
Program Coordinator
Sarah Aly was born in the Netherlands and grew up in a small floral village, where her love for nature first took root. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Future Planet Studies, focused on sustainable solutions for the planet’s future. Sarah first came to Belize in 2015 as a Master’s student in International Development Studies and soon after returned to conduct research on sustainable seaweed farming, a field she became passionate about as she recognized its potential for environmental and community benefits.
Over the years, Sarah has held various roles in Belize but always felt drawn back to conservation. After volunteering with the Crocodile Research Coalition years ago, she officially joined the team as Program Coordinator in December 2024. Sarah is excited to contribute to CRC’s mission and help protect Belize’s incredible wildlife and natural beauty.
Jonathan Triminio
Jonathan Triminio
Jonathan Triminio
Research Biologist, Belize
Jonathan Triminio was born in Chetumal City, Mexico on April 16th, 1996. He grew up in the small town of Orange Walk “Shuga City” in northern Belize where he became fond of the great outdoors. As a young boy Jonathan enjoyed being outside observing his backyard’s wildlife and appreciating his natural environment
Research Biologist, Belize
Jonathan Triminio was born in Chetumal City, Mexico on April 16th, 1996. He grew up in the small town of Orange Walk “Shuga City” in northern Belize where he became fond of the great outdoors. As a young boy Jonathan enjoyed being outside observing his backyard’s wildlife and appreciating his natural environment. In 2013 he went on to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Natural Resource Management at Muffles Junior College. His relationship with nature grew as he started getting more involved in outdoor activities such as hiking, snorkeling and fishing all over Belize. Jonathan decided to continue his education and attended the University of Belize where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Management in 2019. In the midst of his Bachelor’s career Jonathan developed a genuine interest in crocodilian science and conservation so he based most of his academic work on crocodiles.
As part of his Bachelor’s Program, Jonathan had the great honor to carry out his Internship with the Crocodile Research Coalition which significantly helped him further his career in wildlife conservation. Since then Jonathan has volunteered his time and has been heavily involved in research and outreach with the CRC. As part of his Bachelor’s Program, Jonathan had the great honor to carry out his Internship with the Crocodile Research Coalition in the summer of 2018, which significantly helped him further his career in wildlife conservation. Jonathan continued to volunteer his time with the CRC as a Community Researcher being heavily involved in research and outreach with the CRC until officially joining the CRC team in January 2020.
Bobby Greco
Jonathan Triminio
Darcy Regalado
Country Coordinator, Dominican Republic
Bobby, a native of Rocky Hill, CT, is a Ph.D. student at Clemson University in the Wetlands and Integrated Study of Ecology (WISE) Lab under Dr. Jim Anderson. With a strong background in herpetofauna research, Bobby is particularly focused on crocodilian conservation. He is a member of the Crocodile
Country Coordinator, Dominican Republic
Bobby, a native of Rocky Hill, CT, is a Ph.D. student at Clemson University in the Wetlands and Integrated Study of Ecology (WISE) Lab under Dr. Jim Anderson. With a strong background in herpetofauna research, Bobby is particularly focused on crocodilian conservation. He is a member of the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC), and his dissertation centers on the population and community dynamics of American crocodiles in Lago Enriquillo, Dominican Republic. This work builds on his earlier master’s research in the Rosenblatt Lab at the University of North Florida (UNF), where he conducted the first nationwide survey of American crocodiles in the Dominican Republic since the 1980s, in collaboration with CRC, the Dominican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and local NGOs. His involvement with CRC began in 2017 as an intern, assisting with ongoing nationwide population suveys of Crocodylus acutus and C. moreletii in Belize, general biodiversity surveys, and community engagement projects led by Dr. Marisa Tellez. He later became the Research Coordinator for CRC’s Dominican Republic program in 2022, strengthening collaborative efforts with local institutions. His crocodilian experience also includes a diet study of American alligators in urban versus natural habitats during his time in the Rosenblatt Lab.
Bobby began applying his lifelong love for herpetofauna during his undergraduate studies at the University of Connecticut, where he assisted on various projects involving amphibians and reptiles. He expanded his expertise through diverse roles, including working in alligator husbandry at Gator Country in Texas, translocation research on dunes sagebrush lizards with Texas A&M, and herpetofaunal monitoring and habitat management with CT DEEP and Quinn Ecological. Notable projects included wood turtle surveys, spotted and bog turtle monitoring, and participation in state-wide amphibian and reptile health assessments. Between his M.Sc. and Ph.D., Bobby also gained experience in environmental consulting, contributing to surveys and monitoring projects for species ranging from gopher tortoises to manatees.
Darcy Regalado
Jonathan Triminio
Darcy Regalado
Social Media Coordinator
Dassia Regalado (Darcy) is a Belizean environmental advocater. She specializes in equine medicine as a freelancer and digital marketing, while pursuing a Master's in Equine Bone Diseases. Dassia is the Program Fellow for Sea of Life and the Communications & Public Relations Lead for the Commonwealth Youth Climate
Social Media Coordinator
Dassia Regalado (Darcy) is a Belizean environmental advocater. She specializes in equine medicine as a freelancer and digital marketing, while pursuing a Master's in Equine Bone Diseases. Dassia is the Program Fellow for Sea of Life and the Communications & Public Relations Lead for the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN). She founded a plastic art project that transforms waste into eco-friendly products, empowering women and youth through sustainable entrepreneurship. With a strong background in wildlife conservation and community engagement, Dassia has worked on crocodile coexistence, marine ecosystems, and mercury contamination in seafood.A 30 Under 30 Ignite Caribbean honoree and National Wavemaker for Oceana Belize, Dassia continues to bridge science, equine medicine, digital innovation, and advocacy to drive sustainability in Belize and the Caribbean.
Community Researchers
Carl Wallen, Belize
Austin Bennett, Belize
Austin Bennett, Belize
Austin Bennett, Belize
Austin Bennett, Belize
Austin Bennett, Belize
Jesse Rose, Belize
Austin Bennett, Belize
Jesse Rose, Belize
Research Associates/Colleagues
Miriam Boucher
Research Associate
Miriam Boucher is a Canadian native who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology at Wingate University, North Carolina, and completed a Master’s degree in Wildlife Management from West Virginia University in 2016, for which she investigated the behavior and acoustics of Crocodylus acutus in Belize. She becam
Research Associate
Miriam Boucher is a Canadian native who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology at Wingate University, North Carolina, and completed a Master’s degree in Wildlife Management from West Virginia University in 2016, for which she investigated the behavior and acoustics of Crocodylus acutus in Belize. She became involved with crocodylian conservation efforts in Belize in 2014, assisting with ongoing population monitoring, parasitology research, and community engagement projects with Dr. Marisa Tellez. From March 2017 - June 2019, Miriam worked with the CRC as their Research Coordinator, assisting in the initiation of projects in Nicaragua in addition to the CRC satellite tracking program. Although she now works as an Environmental Consultant for a company in Canada, Miriam is continuing to work along with CRC as a colleague and associate with various projects in Belize and Nicaragua.
Helen Sung
Research Associate
Dr. Helen Sung is a zoologist specializing in population and conservation genomics, with a focus on hybridizing crocodiles. She earned her B.S. in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, with a minor in Conservation Biology, from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2014. During her undergraduate studies, Helen began
Research Associate
Dr. Helen Sung is a zoologist specializing in population and conservation genomics, with a focus on hybridizing crocodiles. She earned her B.S. in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, with a minor in Conservation Biology, from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2014. During her undergraduate studies, Helen began working with Dr. Marisa Tellez—then a graduate student—sparking a lasting mentorship, lifelong friendship, and shared passion for crocodylian conservation. Since then, Helen has worked with a variety of species across diverse ecosystems, from studying bats in Indiana to researching Spiny-Tailed Iguanas in the dry forests of Costa Rica. But it was crocodylians that ultimately captured her heart.
In 2025, Helen completed her Ph.D. at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Her research, conducted in close collaboration with the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC), examined the evolutionary and conservation implications of hybridization between two crocodile species found in Belize—Crocodylus acutus (American crocodile) and Crocodylus moreletii (Morelet’s crocodile). Using advanced genomic techniques, her work uncovered evidence of both ancient and ongoing hybridization. Notably, her findings suggest that this interbreeding has enhanced these crocodiles' ability to adapt and survive for thousands to millions of years—and may continue to do so as human activity rapidly alters their environments.
Helen is committed to addressing the complex conservation challenges that hybridization presents. She continues to collaborate with the CRC and policy makers to help develop science-based conservation strategies—especially for species whose legal protections may not reflect their unique evolutionary histories.
Flavio Morrissiey
Flavio Morrissiey
Research Associate
Flavio Morrissiey has been working with crocodilian since 1989. He got his start at Gatorland in Orlando, Florida where he worked there for 17 Years. During that time he had developed behavioral management techniques for reptiles, specifically crocodilians. After leaving Gatorland as the General Curator he continued to a
Research Associate
Flavio Morrissiey has been working with crocodilian since 1989. He got his start at Gatorland in Orlando, Florida where he worked there for 17 Years. During that time he had developed behavioral management techniques for reptiles, specifically crocodilians. After leaving Gatorland as the General Curator he continued to assist over 30 facilities in Zoo Management. Co-creator of CrocFest, Flavio has volunteered his time for 10 years to bring people together for fundraising in crocodile conservation. CrocFest has raised nearly $500,000 for Crocodile researchers all over the world. He continues to develop techniques to find solutions to conservation problems with on going Human Crocodile Conflicts. Dr. Marisa Tellez has encouraged such ideas and with the Crocodile Research Coalition these ideas and techniques are being put to the test.
Recently the techniques have been applied to American Crocodiles and Morelets Crocodiles in Belize. Using negative reinforcement and aversive stimuli. In the case studies thus far the program seems to work with problematic crocodiles that pose a threat to human populations. At the same time these techniques are designed to teach crocodiles to avoid humans and their dangerous motives as well.
Xochitl Clare
Flavio Morrissiey
Research Associate
Dr. Xochitl Clare, a Marine Biologist and Theater Artist with Belizean and Jamaican heritage, brings a unique blend of skills to the CRC. As a Washington Research Foundation Fellow at the University of Washington, she's using her background in ecophysiology and storytelling to investigate the impacts of pollution and cl
Research Associate
Dr. Xochitl Clare, a Marine Biologist and Theater Artist with Belizean and Jamaican heritage, brings a unique blend of skills to the CRC. As a Washington Research Foundation Fellow at the University of Washington, she's using her background in ecophysiology and storytelling to investigate the impacts of pollution and climate change on our coastal communities. Dr. Clare’s work focuses on one of our ecosystem’s key invertebrates, sea cucumbers, “earthworms of the sea”, that cycle nutrients in marine environments. While serving as a fishery species, sea cucumbers are also crucial for the health of our crocodile habitats.
Dr. Clare shares, "It's always been a dream to connect my culture and roots in Belize to my ocean science work. Pollution is an international challenge, impacting waters everywhere." Her work on sea cucumbers bridges the Pacific Northwest, USA, and Belize, Central America, already sparking international conversations on ocean solutions through community relationships.
Dr. Clare's time as a researcher and storyteller with the CRC, will allow us to further engage in local academic research with partners from the University of Belize and ensure our community is informed about anthropogenic impacts on our ocean resources.
Andrea Torzone
Andrea Torzone
Research Associate
I’m a junior at Michigan State University, triple majoring in Animal Science, Zoology, and Fisheries & Wildlife. I am also minoring in agribusiness, marine ecosystem management, and environmental sustainability. My work with the Crocodile Research Coalition began through volunteering and quickly grew into a lifelong miss
Research Associate
I’m a junior at Michigan State University, triple majoring in Animal Science, Zoology, and Fisheries & Wildlife. I am also minoring in agribusiness, marine ecosystem management, and environmental sustainability. My work with the Crocodile Research Coalition began through volunteering and quickly grew into a lifelong mission. From tracking behavior through ethograms, helping with mangrove restoration, assisting on capture surveys, to participating in Croc Talks, I’ve learned how vital research, education, and community involvement are to meaningful conservation.
Now, I plan to pursue a DVM/PhD to become a wildlife surgeon and crocodile immunologist. In summer 2025, I’ll be leading a study on the effects of water pollution and heavy metals on the immune systems of Crocodylus moreletii in four major rivers in Belize. Dr. Marisa Tellez’s mentorship continues to push me to dream bigger, and I’m proud to support CRC’s mission of protecting these incredible animals.
Matt Sparks
Andrea Torzone
Research Associate
Matt Sparks is from Wales in the United Kingdom (UK) and obtained a BSc in International Wildlife Biology and an MSc in Conservation and GIS from the University of South Wales. While studying for his Master’s degree he investigated the potential of drones to aid in conservation management plans by mapping habitats. He ha
Research Associate
Matt Sparks is from Wales in the United Kingdom (UK) and obtained a BSc in International Wildlife Biology and an MSc in Conservation and GIS from the University of South Wales. While studying for his Master’s degree he investigated the potential of drones to aid in conservation management plans by mapping habitats. He has over 3 years of experience flying a variety of consumer drones and even holds a commercial license to fly them in the UK. With the CRC, Matt has assisted the CRC in initiating a drone survey project of manatee and crocodile distributions within the Placencia Lagoon and surrounding areas and continues to volunteer his time as a consultant for the drone surveys of the Placencia Lagoon and mentor to the Next Gen Croc program.
Shawn Heflick
Research Associate
Shawn Heflick has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Wright State University, and a Masters in Conservation Biology/Marine Biology from the Florida Institute of Technology. He has worked around the world on crocodylian conservation, both in situ and in captivity, and is a member of the IUCN/SSC-Crocodile Specialist Grou
Research Associate
Shawn Heflick has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Wright State University, and a Masters in Conservation Biology/Marine Biology from the Florida Institute of Technology. He has worked around the world on crocodylian conservation, both in situ and in captivity, and is a member of the IUCN/SSC-Crocodile Specialist Group. Shawn is the founder of Crocodile Conservation International, the director of Crocodile Manor and Crocodile University, and founder of CrocFest International.
His field and captive work has allowed him to work with all but a few of the world's crocodylian species. His passion is conservation and educating people about the amazing intelligence of crocodylians, their importance in their associated ecosystems, and how it is possible to coexist with these amazing apex predators. Shawn continues to assist the CRC in husbandry practices and field techniques.
Jesús Reyes
Research Associate
Jesús Reyes is from El Paso, Texas in the United States. He has a B.S. in Biological Sciences and currently undertaking his M.S. in Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso. Jesús has a wide array of experiences under his belt: from utilizing telemetry to track Rhinella marina individuals in Naples, Fl
Research Associate
Jesús Reyes is from El Paso, Texas in the United States. He has a B.S. in Biological Sciences and currently undertaking his M.S. in Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso. Jesús has a wide array of experiences under his belt: from utilizing telemetry to track Rhinella marina individuals in Naples, Florida to taking care of captive herpetofauna his local AZA-credit zoo to being a former intern of the CRC’s Intern Mentorship program. His project consists of a field collection expedition to document various species of Belizean amphibians and reptiles (particularly in the uplands) to describe new cryptic species in the country.