Meet The Team

OUR TEAM

Joe Grabowski

Founder and Director

Joe Grabowski is a science communicator, educator, and scuba diver working to inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers. He founded Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, while still teaching in the classroom as a way Read More to bring those on the frontlines of science, exploration, adventure, and conservation into classrooms across North America. In 2017, he was selected as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and shortly after became National Geographic’s first Education Fellow, founding their Explorer Classroom program. Joe's a top 50 finalist for the Global Teacher Prize and is a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Royal Geographical Society and Ocean Conservation Trust. He was recently elected to the board of the iconic Explorers Club, having been named a fellow in 2018. An avid scuba diver for the past 15 years, he's always looking for an excuse to sink beneath the waves.

Jesse Hildebrand

VP of Education

Jesse is a Science Communicator from Toronto working to connect scientists and explorers with the public through digital and live events across Canada. He is the VP of Education at Exploring Read More By The Seat of Your Pants where he’s brought in over a hundred new speakers and hosted 600+ broadcasts since 2015. He is the founder of Science Literacy Week – a national science festival held across Canada every September and run through NSERC in the federal government. He also produced The Story Collider podcast in Toronto for three years, helping showcase the human side of science. Finally, he is a Royal Canadian Geographical Society Fellow and a member of the Explorers Club who took part in an Expedition to Madagascar in 2019.

Sarah Pravato

Social Media and Communications

Biology student turned digital media strategist. Sarah has always had a curiosity for the world around her, this led her to study Biological Read More Sciences and minor in Neuroscience at the University of Guelph to help develop a lens to better understand how the natural world works. As she came to the end of her degree, she realized her strengths were best used to communicate science through media rather than through lab work. Since then, Sarah has been working as a freelance digital media strategist for the last 5 years. A strong believer in “being the change”, Sarah is passionate about using her understanding of biology and the digital space with organizations that empower younger generations to get curious about the world around them. Currently located in a little surf town on the west coast of Mexico, you can find Sarah exploring different places and cultures through her favourite lens - board sports.

Alexandra Gellé

French Host and Translator

Alexandra is on a mission to make science fun and accessible for everyone. With a knack for turning complex scientific ideas Read Moreinto engaging stories, she makes learning a delightful experience for all. At the heart of Alexandra’s work is climate change. Whether she’s inspiring youth in museums, collaborating with government officials, or partnering with Indigenous communities, Alexandra thrives on connecting with people from all walks of life. What truly drives Alexandra is witnessing those “aha!” moments when someone grasps how we can tackle climate challenges together. These moments fuel her passion and keep her eager to share more!

Meet the Board

Jill Heinerth

Jill is one of the world’s premier underwater explorers, and the first person to dive inside iceberg caves. According to filmmaker Read More James Cameron, “More people have walked on the moon than have been to some of the places Jill Heinerth has gone right here on earth.” An acclaimed polar explorer, cave diver, author, speaker, filmmaker, and climate advocate, Jill is the first Explorer-in-Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. She is the inaugural recipient of the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration and Canada’s Polar Medal. Jill leads expeditions into extreme environments to advance scientific and geographic knowledge. Her projects have been broadcast on the CBC, BBC, PBS, Discovery Channel, and television networks worldwide. Her bestselling book INTO THE PLANET – My Life as a Cave Diver has drawn acclaim from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and O Magazine.

George Kourounis

George is a renowned global adventurer, storm chaser, explorer and television presenter. Based in Toronto, his efforts Read More to document nature’s worst weather conditions have taken him all over the globe, into places most normal people are fleeing from. Whether it’s a tornado outbreak in Kansas, a monster hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, forest fires in British Columbia, or even an erupting volcano, he’s usually in the middle of the action with his camera rolling. His efforts have been seen around the world on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic Explorer, BBC-TV, CNN and of course, his own adventure TV program Angry Planet which has been broadcast in over 100 countries. George is an Explorer in Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and is the Chairman of The Explorers Club Canadian Chapter. Awards include The Leif Erikson Exploration Award from the Exploration Museum in Iceland, Canadian Geographic’s list of Canada’s 45 Greatest Living Explorers and the 90 Anniversary Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Travis Steffens

Travis has a BSc in Primatology, an MA in Anthropology from the University of Calgary, and a PhD in Evolutionary Anthropology Read More from the University of Calgary, and a PhD in Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Toronto. Travis specializes in primate conservation biogeography and applied conservation. Travis has been involved in primate research since 2002 and has conducted many research projects on endangered primates in both Belize, Central America, and Madagascar. In 2015, Travis founded Planet Madagascar to work towards building sustainable forest communities in Madagascar. He combines his research with practical conservation measures to protect lemurs and their habitat and improve the livelihoods of people who live in connection to lemurs.

University of Guelph
Past and Present Science Communication Interns

Ryan Zhao

2025 Science Communication Intern

Hi! My name is Ryan and I’m a biomedical sciences student at the University of Guelph that specializes in biology, human/comparative mammalian anatomy, and biomedical physiology. My area of focus is lifestyle in medicine which emphasizes on the prevention, treatment, and reversal of chronic conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Outside of my professional career, I always love to chase new challenges whether it is trying something new or simply going outside of my comfort zone. My hobbies include personal fitness, MMA, and sketching/painting. I am thrilled to join EBTSOYP as a Science Communication Intern to assist in making scientific education more assessable in a fun and informative way.

Serilda D’Mello

2025 Science Communication Intern

Hi! My name is Serilda D'Mello and I'm a Biological Science major fourth year student at the University of Guelph, studying sciences ranging from human biology, animal biology, pharmacology, and environmental science. I've been super interested in neurological conditions in animals/humans and seeing how different factors play into brain function. Some other interests of mine are playing piano, swimming, rollerblading/skateboarding, and exploring nature. I'm super excited to be part of EBTSOYP! I look forward to helping make science more accessible in fun and creative ways, and to learning more about science communication!

Sarah Metwally

2025 Science Communication Intern

Hi! My name is Sarah Metwally, and I study Biological sciences, exploring how medications affect the brain and how the brain is shaped by the world around us. I'm passionate about how science connects to everyday life and love sharing that curiosity with others. I'm excited to be a part of the EBTSOYP team and connect with explorers and scientists from all over the world!

Samantha Schmidt

2025 Science Communication Intern

Hello! I am a third-year Arts and Sciences student at the University of Guelph studying Ecology and Anthropology. I am captivated by the interconnected nature of the relationships between organisms, the environment, and humans. My interests include the outdoors, traveling, scuba diving, and meeting new people. I am thrilled to be a part of EBTSOYP and help in the endeavor to inspire the future generations of scientists through effective science communication!

Yasira Shaikh

Hi! My name is Yasira, and I’m a neuroscience student passionate about exploring the connections between the brain, behaviour, and the world around us. I love traveling, discovering new perspectives, and sharing my curiosity for science. I’m excited to be part of the EBTSOYP team and look forward to connecting with students and explorers!

Susanna Rodrigues

2025 Science Communication Intern

Hi! My name is Susanna, and I am a fourth-year Biological Science student at the University of Guelph. I am passionate about science communication and inspiring curiosity about the natural world. I am very excited to join the EBTSOYP team and look forward to connecting with students and explorers from around the world!

Vienna Marshall

2024 Science Communication Intern

Vienna is starting her second year studying Microbiology at the University of Guelph and is fascinated by the complexity of the microscopic world. Through her extracurricular lab work conducting research, Vienna has learned that science is not only exciting but is a powerful tool for solving real world problems and understanding the world around us in new and innovative ways. She is passionate about making science accessible to everyone, and inspiring younger generations to innovate and be curious.

Charlotte Berecz

2024 Science Communication Intern

Hi! My name is Charlotte Berecz, and I am a third-year Arts and Science student at the University of Guelph. I am passionate about science, education and reading, and when I’m not studying, I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible! I am super excited to be a part of the EBTSOYP team this year and look forward to connecting with students and explorers from all over!