Jan Maximiliano F. Tapia Guerra is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile. He specializes in the taxonomy and ecology of benthic invertebrates, placing a particular emphasis on organisms located in remote island habitats and seamounts. His primary research revolves around characterizing the benthic habitats and fauna of the Salas and Gomez and Nazca ridges. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques such as ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) imagery analysis, he endeavors to deepen understanding of these distinctive marine environments. Throughout his career, Jan has actively participated in numerous national and international expeditions, with the goal of addressing significant knowledge gaps in these isolated regions. His academic trajectory and collaborations with global experts underscore his commitment to advancing understanding and appreciation of complex marine ecosystems. Furthermore, he is affiliated with ESMOI and the Sala de Colecciones Biologicas UCN. In these roles, he contributes to the identification, cataloging, and preservation of fauna gathered during various underwater campaigns in the Salas & Gomez and Nazca ridges.

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