Meet the team
The Ascension Island MPA is managed by a dedicated team within the Ascension Island Government Conservation and Fisheries Directorate.
They are guided by four external committees that make non-binding but crucial recommendations about how the MPA should be managed.
Ascension Island Government
Dr. Tiffany Simpson: Director of Conservation and Fisheries
Tiffany joined the AIG Marine Team following several years of working in Australia both in government and university positions. She has specialised in the areas of aquatic animal health, marine biosecurity and environmental DNA. She also loves diving, fishing and sailing. She is now enjoying combining all of these skills towards practical applications in conservation, research and long-term monitoring in the hope of helping to safeguard the Ascension Island MPA for the future.
Cuen Muller: Marine Conservation Team Leader
Cuen joined the AIG marine team in 2023 and is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day activities of the team with the aim to support the long-term conservation of Ascension’s marine ecosystem. He plays a central role in several ongoing projects, including biological data collection, shallow water fish and habitat surveys, physiology and ichthyoplankton research. He holds a PhD in fisheries science, and his previous research experience includes investigating physiological responses of fish to environmental stressors, development and early life-history of fishes, and the mechanisms influencing larval dispersal and recruitment. Cuen brings a scientific foundation and practical approach to applied marine conservation, combining field-based data collection with a long-term interest in ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Hayley Hardstaff: MPA Officer
Hayley joined the Marine Conservation Team as an MPA Officer in 2024. Having specialised in plankton and plant physiology, lab- and field-based work has taken her around the world from her home in Cornwall (UK) to Costa Rica, the Mediterranean and the Maldives. Happiest in and on the water, Hayley is passionate about protecting the unique species of Ascension Island MPA, particularly the colourful members of the sea slug family! Hayley can be found lost down the microscope looking at plankton, or in the rock pools trying to find new species!
Amber Newman: MPA Development and Engagement Officer
Bio coming soon!
Laura Shearer: Coastal Reserves Manager & Seabird Scientist
Laura joined the team in 2018 with a wealth of previous experience working with seabirds. Since then, she has taken on the role of managing the coastal nature reserves on Ascension, successfully implementing three new reserves in 2024 to protect green turtles, endemic plants and invertebrates as well as extending the boundaries of existing nature reserves to cover new seabird nesting habitat. Laura is particularly proud of the current Darwin Protecting Seabirds Across Borders project (DPLUS195)- satellite tracking Ascension frigatebirds and masked boobies to record their dispersal outside of the MPA and understand their potential conflicts with large-scale tuna fisheries.
Sophie Tuppen: Conservation Fieldworker - Seabirds and Turtles
Sophie has been in the role of Conservation Fieldworker since she joined the team in 2018. While her role mainly focuses on assisting the Seabird Scientist, she also performs invasive species clearance to protect seabird and turtle nesting habitat as well as endemic plant restoration work. Her favourite part of her job is monitoring the Ascension frigatebirds and she is passionate about researching this species biology through a range of monitoring techniques including a specialist microchipping program.
Hannah Martin: MPA Officer
Bio Coming Soon!
Daniel Simpson: Deep Sea Research Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
Melissa Morgan: Marine Research Officer (eDNA)
Bio coming soon!
Scientific Advisory Committee
Independent experts in marine conservation and management who volunteer their time to provide guidance and oversight for the Ascension MPA.
- Dr Silvana Birchenough – Cefas
- Professor Graham Edgar – University of Tasmania
- Professor Kerry Howell – University of Plymouth
- Dr Mike Kaiser – Herriot Watt University
- Dr Jim Palardy – Pew Charitable Trusts
- Dr Steffan Oppell – RSPB
- Ness Smith – Marine Management Organisation
- Dr Sam Weber – University of Exeter
- Nick Wise – Oceanmind
- Sarah Young – WWF
MPA Youth Committee
Young people living on Ascension with a passion for marine conservation who volunteer to help develop and promote the MPA.
