Dr John Gibson is a polar scientist based at the University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. His interests range from the physical and chemical limnology of polar lakes to the origins and biogeography of the animals inhabiting Antarctic lake and terrestrial environments. His role in the HLP 2007 project is to identify the members of the diverse zooplankton communities present in the Lago Licancabur and the other high altitude lakes, and to provide a biogeographical context for the species observed. At least one of the species present in Lago Licancabur also occurs in Antarctic lakes, highlighting the climatic similarities between these environments. Dr Gibson works closely with taxonomic experts around the world to ensure correct identifications of the animals present.