Dr. Zoltan Takacs

Zoltan Takacs somewhere between Uganda and Zaire. Zoltan Takacs in Fiji.

Dr. Zoltan Takacs has been researching, publishing, and lecturing about the world of venomous snakes for most of his life. After studying at the Albert Szent-Gyorgyi School of Medicine, Semmelweis Medical School and University of California (UCLA), he obtained his Ph.D. on evolutionary studies on cobra venom from Columbia University. Later he carried out various research projects on snake venom pharmacology and evolutionary genetics at Rockefeller University, Columbia University, and Yale University. At Columbia, Zoltan established and co-taught the school's first herpetology course. Zoltan combines field and lab work to study the neurotoxins of some of the world's most deadly snakes. Zoltan's goal is to explore how snake venom neurotoxins work and evolve - knowledge that will contribute to developing new diagnostics and medications.

Academic assignment and personal interest took Zoltan to 116 countries on every continent. His work involves extracting venom, blood, and other tissue samples from venomous snakes in the most remote and inhospitable jungles, coral reefs and deserts on the Earth. Access to these snake habitats is aided by Zoltan's expertise as an aircraft pilot and scuba diver, as well as his ability to live out from a backpack for weeks. Zoltan is an accomplished wildlife photographer which has earned him credits in several international magazines and books. Some noteworthy adventures during past expeditions include a jailing in the Balkans while working with vipers in military zones, a rescue by helicopter from civil war in Laos while searching for King cobras, and being escorted by armed military guard as protection against pirates in the southern Philippines while diving for sea snakes. Zoltan’s research on venomous snakes and biodiversity has been presented on various TV channels worldwide on several occasions.

Zoltan lives in New York City.