Neelix is a jovial male Talaxian, a major species of the far side of the Delta Quadrant, whose wit and instincts have enabled him to survive as a scavenger and merchant. He now aids in Voyager's cause admirably after coming aboard with his Ocampa mate,
Kes, from her home system. Although he takes good-natured abuse at times for it, he has been invaluable in preparing fresh meals from the flora and fauna of this region in order to ration food replicator power. In fact, for the human "37's," he even researched and came up with 20th-Century comfort foods for all — with none of his usual custom twists added. In addition, his past dealings and travels have yielded invaluable information for Voyager's command decisions and strategy. He has begun taking a more active role in senior staff affairs and even held off the Kazon-Ogla when
Commander Chakotay and
Captain Janeway were absent.
From
The Official Star Trek Website