The M/S Expedition has one of the highest ratios of expedition team members to guests – with one expert for every 10 guests there is always someone on hand to answer your questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes. Our expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure.
Expedition Team
Julio Preller
Julio Preller was born and raised in Punta Arenas, Chile. At the age of 18 he moved to the Falkland Islands, his ancestral homeland, and worked as a shepherd. Upon returning to the mainland, Julio worked as a tour guide in Patagonia until 1980 when he joined an Expedition ship, which completely fed his spirit of adventure. He has also started and run his own sail boat business in the Chilean Fjords. Julio has travelled extensively around the world but the Polar regions have been his favourite where every trip promises new experiences and things to see.
Terence (Scobie) Pye
Terence (Scobie) Pye is a research scientist with a Master of Science degree and decades of research time in the Antarctic. His main scientific interests are focused on the conservation and management of the sub-Antarctic islands, the impact of introduced mammals on these fragile ecosystems, sustainable tourism in the Antarctic and the history of the region. Scobie brings his years of professional experience in the logistical support and safety of polar operations in Antarctica to Explorer's polar operations in the Arctic. In 1978, Scobie was awarded the Fuchs Medal for outstanding service to the British Antarctic Survey.
Frank Todd
Frank S. Todd was born and raised in Panama, where he commenced his lifelong passion with wildlife. While a curator at the Los Angeles Zoo, he established one of the world's finest bird collections. At Sea World, Frank successful established a breeding colony of Adelie and Emperor Penguins. A recognized authority on penguins, Frank has been working in Antarctica and the Subantarctic for some 37 seasons. The recipient of prestigious awards, he has published numerous books and articles and is a noted wildlife photographer. Frank is currently the executive director of EcoCepts International and travels the world as a zoological consultant.
Jeff Wiseman
A graduate of the University of Toronto’s Operatic Performance program, Jeff Wiseman is a multi-faceted individual: recording artist, singer/songwriter, choir director, concert performer and world traveller. His adventures have taken him to Austria, Scotland, South America and Australia. In August of 2009, he spent 10 days camping with the Inuit of Nunavut as they traversed the Arctic tundra gathering their winter food supplies. Wiseman has a boundless enthusiasm for the outdoors, music and adventure. The summer of 2010 will see him take on an exciting new role as a member of the G Adventures Team.
Laurie Dexter
Laurie is an athlete whose feats include skiing from Russia to Canada through the Geographic North Pole, skiing to the South Pole and numerous other polar expeditions. He is also a mountaineer with numerous first ascents in the Arctic. He has made over 100 ship-based trips to Antarctica and more than 60 to the Arctic as an expedition leader and lecturer. A holder of numerous degrees, including an honorary Doctor of Laws, Laurie is a fellow of the Explorers Club, the Royal Geographical Society and a holder of the Order of Canada. Laurie lives in the Canadian north, his home since 1970.
Emily Schindler
Even as a child in Switzerland, Emily has shown an unusual desire to explore. Emily has skied and sled-hauled on expeditions to the Magnetic North Pole and the South Pole and she also guides clients across Baffin Island. In recent years she has completed a horse trek in Outer Mongolia and climbed the Matterhorn, Mt Kilimanjaro and other famous peaks. Involved in ship-based tourism for over ten years as an assistant expedition leader and zodiac driver to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, Emily is also a member of the Explorers Club and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Tim Thomas
Tim has been trekking, sea kayaking and exploring the outdoors for over 25 years in locations ranging from Nepal to New Guinea. A native of Colorado, Tim shares his knowledge of mountaineering, expedition camping and adventure education as an instructor at Fort Lewis College. On expedition ships in the Antarctic, he has filled numerous roles including naturalist, zodiac driver, and logistics coordinator. Tim has numerous guiding certifications, licenses and holds a Bachelors degree in Japanese Language and Literature. Spending the turn of the millennia at the South Pole and summiting at Mt McKinley in Alaska are two of Tim's favourite achievements.
Ship's Officers
Nicolay Tililyuk
Captain Tililyuk is the pre-eminent Antarctic/Arctic Master. Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Nicolay has spent most of his life at sea. Nicolay received his education at the Higher Engineering Marine School in his hometown and went on to spend several years in the Navy. His positions at sea range from cargo officer to Captain, in the shipping and cruising industries. Nicolay has many years of experience sailing throughout the Arctic, including Spitsbergen, Arctic Russia, Antarctica and Greenland. In total, he has sailed well over 100 ice cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic. His current position is Master of the Expedition.
Josi Silva
Smiling Josi was born in Curitiba, Brazil and has been working at sea for several years. She started her career in the hotel department on cruise ships such as Island Star and Island Escape and has sailed the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Josi began on the Expedition as a Purser, but quickly rose to the position of Hotel Manager. She has been with M/S Expedition since January of this year and managed to not only survive the dreaded Drake Passage but successfully serve her passengers during the crossing. We will see her onboard during the Arctic season until its completion this September.
