James A. Yost, PhD. was born at Colorado Springs and gained a doctorate in anthropology at the University of Colorado. From 1973 to 1982, he was based in Ecuador, acting as research and consultant anthropologist for the Summer Institute of Linguistics, a missionary organization. He and his family have spent extended periods living with the Waorani in the jungle. He is the author of numerous publications on the Waorani and has been active in a campaign to secure legal status for traditional Waorani lands. He continues to work closely with the Waorani, responding to their requests for assistance in learning to cope with the changes surrounding them.