A Letter from Our Founder, Chris Winne
Eighteen years ago, I made the hardest decision of my academic life: I walked away from my research in herpetology, just as I received my PhD, to focus on what mattered most—raising my kids. I traded fieldwork for school pickups, research papers for homework help, and my passion for understanding snakes for the daily work of being present for my family.
But some callings don’t let go. Every year, 138,000 people die from venomous snakebites—most of them farmers, children, and families in the world’s poorest communities. Deaths that could be prevented with the right information at the right moment. As my kids have grown, I’ve realized I can return to my life’s work—not just to study snakes, but to build technology that saves lives.
That’s why I founded the Lachesis Foundation. We’re combining everything I learned in academia with modern AI and a growing team of experts to create an app that identifies any snake in the world, provides critical first aid guidance, and connects victims to antivenom when seconds count. This is our chance to make this work matter.
The Crisis We're Solving
Up to 138,000 people die each year from venomous snakebites—most in preventable circumstances. Agricultural workers in rural Africa, Asia, and Latin America face the greatest risk, often unable to identify the snake that bit them or locate antivenom in time. Every death represents someone’s parent, child, brother, sister, or provider—gone because they lacked information and timely access to antivenom that should be universally available.
What We're Building
AI-Powered Snake Identification App
Instant species identification anywhere in the world, with first aid protocols specific to each venomous snake.
Global Antivenom Database
Connecting victims to the nearest antivenom and helping healthcare systems optimize their supply chains for the communities that need it most.
International Expert Coalition
Partnering with herpetologists, doctors, and health workers worldwide to ensure our information saves lives across every region and culture.
Support Our Mission
Help the Lachesis Foundation prepare everyone for snake encounters, and save lives and limbs when venomous snakebites occur.
The Lachesis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization [EIN 33-4320030]. Your donation is tax-deductible.
Why Give Monthly?
Sustaining donors create the reliable funding we need to maintain technology, update databases, and respond when communities need us most. Monthly gifts—even small ones—make the biggest difference.
Support Our Mission
Help the Lachesis Foundation prepare everyone for snake encounters, and save lives and limbs when venomous snakebites occur.
The Lachesis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 33-4320030). Your donation is tax-deductible.
Why Give Monthly?
Sustaining donors create the reliable funding we need to maintain technology, update databases, and respond when communities need us most. Monthly gifts—even small ones—make the biggest difference.
How Your Support Saves Lives
Technology Development
Building and maintaining our AI identification system and mobile app for the communities facing the highest snakebite burden.
Antivenom Access
Creating databases that connect victims to treatment and help rural hospitals stock the right antivenoms.
Expert Partnerships
Working with herpetologists, doctors, and health workers worldwide to ensure accuracy and cultural relevance.
Scientific Research
Advancing our understanding of snake distributions and human-snake interactions through crowd-sourced data.
Our Promise
No one should die because they couldn’t identify a snake or didn’t know where to find antivenom.
Other Ways to Help
Share Your Expertise
We need herpetologists, emergency physicians, toxicologists, and public health researchers to volunteer their knowledge. Whether you can contribute a few hours or become a long-term advisor, your expertise will directly save lives.
Herpetologists – Help verify species images and identification protocols for your region
Medical Professionals – Develop first aid guidance and train medical providers in developing countries
Researchers – Analyze snakebite data and help us deploy resources effectively
Spread The Word
Share our mission on social media, talk to colleagues in relevant fields, or connect us with potential partners. Every conversation brings us closer to a world where snakebites don’t have to be fatal.