Emma Letitia Johnston AO FAA FTSE FRSN (born 1973) is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney. She was former, Dean of Science at the University of New South Wales and President of Science & Technology Australia. She is an authority in marine ecology and a former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UNSW.
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Whilst at UNSW, Professor Johnston was head of the Applied Marine and Estuarine Ecology Lab at UNSW and led major projects for industry, government, the Australian Research Council and the Australian Antarctic Science Program.
Johnston was the inaugural Director of the Sydney Harbour Research Program[1] at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science.[2]
Johnston's research group at UNSW investigates the ecology of human impacts in marine systems, combining the diverse disciplines of ecology, microbiology and ecotoxicology to expand fundamental understanding and provide recommendations for management. Her research is conducted in such diverse field environments as Sydney Harbour, Antarctica, the Great Barrier Reef and temperate Australian estuaries.
As of 2017[update], Johnston has published over 112 peer-reviewed works.[3]
Born in 1973, to parents who were both scientists at that time, Johnston studied physics and chemistry in high school, not biology. However, being a keen sailor from a very young age and interested in all things to do with the water, she decided to focus on biology in her undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science) at the University of Melbourne, which she completed in 1998 with first class Honours.
Johnston completed her PhD in marine ecology in 2002 at the University of Melbourne under the supervision of Mick Keough.
She joined UNSW as an associate lecturer in 2001 and is now Dean of Science.[4]
Research
Among Johnston's significant research findings is the discovery that toxic contaminants facilitate the invasion of coastal waterways by non-indigenous species. Some of her research topics include: determining the major drivers of marine bio-invasions, the vulnerability of Antarctic marine communities, and developing new biomonitoring techniques and informing the development of effective management of biodiversity in Australian estuarine systems.[5]
Other activities
Johnston is also a high profile science communicator, winning the 2015 Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research. She is a regular media commentator and, as co-presenter of the Foxtel/BBC television series Coast Australia.[6] has helped take Australian marine science to an international audience. She also launched a Sydney Harbour cruise called Underwater Secrets' – Sydney Harbour Revealed,[7] which focuses on scientific research into the waterway.
As President of Science & Technology Australia, Professor Johnston is also a public advocate for science and for increasing the participation of women in research.
