Meet The Authors
Kelly Ablard, Ph.D., is a biologist and a certified aromatherapist. As the Founder and CEO of Airmid Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, she is dedicated to the global education, research, and sustainability of medicinal and aromatic plants, with a focus on their traditional uses in Indigenous communities.
Kelly's work spans diverse fields, including conservation biology, evolutionary biology, genetics, and behavioral ecology. She has conducted in situ and ex situ research worldwide, studying traditional medicine practices, protecting threatened species, and understanding chemical communication in nature. Kelly has also enjoyed her role as a presenter and lecturer throughout the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, South Korea, Peru, and Indonesia.
Her achievements earned her recognition as an outstanding alumna by Simon Fraser University in 2022. Kelly is also the Co-Owner and Co-Principal of Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies, Ltd.
Balancing her time between Los Angeles, CA, and Vancouver B.C., you can find Kelly on an exciting journey where science intertwines with spirit.
Frauke Galia is a smell coach, certified aromatherapist, and podcaster. After spending over 20 years in and around the fragrance industry, her current aim is to get people to use their sense of smell more purposefully and to harness it for health and wellbeing.
She is often referred to as “the smell lady” because of her deep passion for connecting people with their sense of smell. She believes that smelling is a privilege and that society undervalues this beautiful and critical sense. Her philosophy encourages a mindful connection with smelling for both health and well-being.
Frauke is also a professional ambassador for the non-profit U.K. organization Fifth Sense, a charity focused on supporting those with smell and taste disorders. It is her mission, as a person with “smell-ability,” to bring more awareness and compassion for people with anosmia, those affected by the inability to smell. Her aim is to bring closer those who have the privilege to smell with those who are unable to smell.
She is also host of the podcast An Aromatic Life which aims to shed light on our beautiful sense of smell, and increase its profile in a culture dominated by sight and sound. Furthermore, Frauke is the creator of the Scent*Tattoo project, which aims to connect humans through scent and scent memories.
She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two boys, where you can find her smelling everything.
And The Illustrator
JC Villalon is a multifaceted artist working as a painter, illustrator, and graphic designer. Born and raised in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil, JC's artistic journey began in his formative years, where he cultivated a deep appreciation for the arts. In his early 20s, he made a pivotal decision to relocate to the United States, embarking on a transformative path towards creative fulfillment.
JC spent a brief period in Washington, D.C., immersing himself in the study of English. Subsequently, he made his way to Boston, where he studied graphic design at Middlesex Community College.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity and an unwavering passion for artistic expression, JC's creative odyssey led him to the vibrant artistic hub of New York City. There, he enrolled at the renowned School of Visual Arts, specializing in fine arts. It was within this dynamic environment that JC's skills flourished, honing his technical proficiency and refining his artistic vision.
JC's style primarily manifests through his oil paintings, by blending contemporary issues with imaginative worlds and situations, transporting viewers into thought-provoking and visually arresting realms. His work acts as a conduit for societal dialogue, compelling viewers to confront and engage with the complexities of the modern world.
JC lives in Westchester County, New York, with his husband and their three dogs.