Karen Gibb represents Charles Darwin University (CDU) on the Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee (DHAC). As a representative of CDU Professor Gibb's considers her role is to promote the values of CDU – outward looking, regionally engaged, developing strong Indigenous leadership, and delivering transformative skills and learning, and high-impact research when and where they are needed.

Professor Gibb brings not only research experience that is relevant to Darwin Harbour, but also a commitment to promote engagement and partnership with Darwin Harbour's stakeholders.

She is Director of the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods at CDU and leads the Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Unit (ECMU), a research and commercial unit that supports important improvements in the methods and policies that underpin the sustainable management of marine, estuarine and aquatic systems across northern Australia.

Professor Gibb’s research team investigate microbes in the environment including interactions with animals, and responses to contaminants in marine, estuarine and aquatic environments. Professor Gibb has a PhD from the University of Adelaide, 30 years research experience and has co-authored 136 refereed papers including several related to Darwin Harbour.