Brazilian engineer Paulo Erbisti graduated in mechanical engineering and has amassed considerable experience working on numerous hydromechanical projects, contributing greatly to hydropower/dam engineering over the last few decades in South America, Africa and Asia. He has worked on many important projects including Itaipu, Belo Monte, Tucurui, Gotvand, Tarbela, Capanda, Guri and Tocoma. Erbisti is a visiting professor on the topic of hydraulic gate design for the post-graduate course of hydraulic engineering at the University of Paraná, Brazil. He is a member of the consulting board of the International Journal on Hydropower and Dams, UK. In 2011, he was elected by International Water Power & Dam Construction magazine as one of twenty people believed to have made the biggest difference to the sector over the last decade.