Conservationist Tullis Matson Awarded Honorary Degree for Pioneering Cryopreservation Work

Tullis Matson, founder of the wildlife conservation charity Nature's SAFE, has described receiving an honorary degree from Harper Adams University as the "highlight" of his year. The award is one of seven honorary recognitions presented as the university marks its 125th anniversary.

Matson — who grew up in Whitchurch and left school at 16 with no formal qualifications due to severe dyslexia — said the honour is especially meaningful because of the barriers he overcame. "The journey through my education was really tough," he said. "So now to get this is quite incredible, I'm absolutely blown away."

In 2025, Matson's conservation charity preserved and recreated "millions" of cell samples from a white rhino that had died at Whipsnade Zoo [Getty Images]

Saving Genetic Diversity With Cryopreservation

Matson runs Nature's SAFE, a charity and biobank that cryopreserves cells from endangered species to create a genetic "time capsule." The organisation stores biological samples from around 400 species and actively freezes cells from roughly 200 endangered species — from African elephants to Scotland's wildcats — in liquid nitrogen at approximately −196°C. These samples are intended to protect genetic diversity and support future restoration efforts using assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation.

In 2025, Nature's SAFE preserved and processed what it described as "millions" of cell samples from a white rhino that died at Whipsnade Zoo — a high-profile example of the charity's work to salvage and secure threatened genetic material.

Harper Adams University, near Newport in Shropshire, focuses on agricultural and land-based degrees [BBC]

"To be recognised with something you really believe in in the conservation world — using science and technology to try and help — it doesn't get any better," Matson said. "It re-emphasises that the work we're doing is the right thing. We've worked so hard, everybody has, for years to really push the boundaries of science to make a difference."

Honours Ceremony And Other Recipients

The graduation ceremony on 16 September will see Matson speak to the graduating students alongside other honorary recipients. "To be able to stand up in front of them and try and give them some guidance matters to me," he said, calling students "our future."

Other honourees include comedian Ed Byrne and actress Felicity Finch; farmer and YouTuber Olly Harrison; Christine Tacon CBE, recognised for her leadership roles including her time as Director of The Co-op Group and chair of the BBC Rural Affairs Committee; Professor Grant Edwards, vice-chancellor of Te Whare Wanaka o Aoraki Lincoln University in New Zealand; and Shropshire business leader John O'Brien MBE, founder of the Anthropy leadership platform.

Professor Ken Sloan, vice-chancellor of Harper Adams University, said he was "delighted" to recognise distinguished people from Shropshire and specialist industries as the university begins its 125th year, adding that the institution looks forward to "sustaining a close connection" with its honorary alumni.

Why it matters: Matson's work addresses one of conservation's biggest challenges — preserving the raw genetic material needed to sustain and potentially restore species as habitats change and populations decline. The combination of biological banking and assisted reproductive technologies gives conservationists additional tools to maintain biodiversity for future generations.