For more than four decades, John has investigated microorganisms living in Antarctic lakes, sea ice, glaciers and environments hidden beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet. He served as Chief Scientist for the WISSARD and SALSA projects, whose teams drilled through hundreds of metres of ice to directly sample Antarctica’s subglacial lakes. Their discoveries revealed active microbial ecosystems in places once assumed to be lifeless and transformed scientific understanding of the continent’s hidden biosphere.
John’s research connects Antarctica with the search for life beyond Earth. He has worked with NASA scientists and engineers on planetary protection, life-detection methods and technologies for exploring icy environments. Antarctica’s subglacial lakes provide powerful analogues for the subsurface oceans of worlds such as Jupiter’s moon Europa, where microbial life may be possible beneath the ice.
John also has a longstanding relationship with Aotearoa New Zealand. From 1982 to 1984, he worked at the former DSIR Taupō Research Laboratory, conducted research aboard New Zealand’s RV Tangaroa, and subsequently joined the New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme.
An experienced and engaging speaker, John combines major scientific discoveries with remarkable stories of Antarctic exploration and practical encouragement for the next generation of scientists.
Speaking topics include:
- Life beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet
- Antarctica as an analogue for Europa and other icy worlds
- Microbial life in extreme environments
- Astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth
- Antarctic exploration, technology and planetary protection
- Careers and pathways into astrobiology
