Elin Cunningham

About me

I was so fortunate enough to have grown up travelling the world with my parents, attending international schools and moving every few years. One of these stints was in Mozambique, a place I will always hold dear in my heart. My love of Africa shows through my work; I currently work as an Entomologist/Research scientist, looking at Malaria prevention strategies using the sterile insect technique. I work in a hot and humid mosquito lab, so I’m very used to the climate of the Zambezi, and very accustomed to being bitten by mosquitoes! I react differently depending on the species, so I’m intrigued to add a new one to the mix.

Whilst I mostly grew up riding horses, I dipped a toe into rowing at 8years old when I was living on Lake Como. When we moved to North Wales, rowing options were limited and I went back to riding horses, but when the opportunity came to join the team at university, I jumped at it. I studied a Bachelors in Bioveterinary Science and then a Masters in Entomology at Harper AdamsUniversity, and we rowed from Pengwern rowing club in Shrewsbury. We raced a bit, drank a lot, and I ended up as Treasurer of the club for a year, securing sponsorship from Massey Ferguson (big name in the world of tractors). After graduating I moved to Oxfordshire and began rowing at Abingdon on weekends and evenings, enjoying a slower pace of life and only entering the odd regatta for fun. I accidentally became Women’s captain in summer 2023, not something I had intended with my already busy schedule of working as an Entomologist, and a groom for 4 horses! I somehow manage to fit training in alongside my 12 hour days, and look forward to the better weather of summer for some more regattas(I am definitely a fair weather rower).

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Motivations

I’ve followed the expeditions since the early days, and even bought at shirt to support the 2018 Kaufe expedition. The chance to return toMozambique, in the capacity of rowing, is so exciting to me. In uni we also ran charity rows, the most notable of which being a 24-hour erg for Village Water, the same charity supported by this expedition. I’m also hoping to get some research done along the way, and I’m looking forward to finding out what mosquitoes we’ll encounter along the way (can’t get me away from work that easily!)

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Worries

I’ve had malaria twice and don’t fancy getting it again, I’m also a very laid back, 5ft 6, recreational rower and I’m going to be put to shame by all the professionals! I’ve seen the damage hippos can do to fishermen in northern Mozambique, and though I’ve had a close encounter with one in my bathroom and nearly crashed a car into one at 3am, I’ve stayed on their good side in the past.