Emma Johnson receives Excellence in Biological Sciences Award

by Sydney Institute of Marine Science on 20 Nov 2012 The NSW Science and Engineering Awards has named University of New South Wales associate professor Emma Johnson as the NSW Scientist of the Year for Excellence in Biological Sciences (Plant, Agriculture and Environment). The award recognises Johnson’s contribution in marine science as the Director of the Sydney Harbour Research Program, which is spearheaded by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science.

We are delighted to announce that Emma Johnston has been named 'NSW Scientist of the Year for Excellence in Biological Sciences (Plant, Agriculture and Environment)'. The program for the award ceremony reads as follows:

Associate Professor Emma Johnston, ARC Australian Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales and Director of the Sydney Harbour Research Program at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS).

The Harbour Research Program is the flagship research endeavour for SIMS aiming for world class cross-disciplinary research with a strong community outreach program. As Director, Associate Professor Johnston has created the Program’s research framework and coordinated the first major projects including a scholarly review of the state of knowledge of Sydney Harbour. She also chairs the Program’s advisory committee which includes 12 scientists from four Sydney Universities and many of the state’s research agencies, including the Australian Museum.

Associate Professor Johnston has also made significant contributions to the fields of invasion biology and ecotoxicology. Her contributions include the first evidence that pollution facilitates the biological invasion of marine systems. She found greater metal tolerance of marine non-indigenous species, considerable potential for the evolution of tolerance to toxic substances, and ecological benefits to non-indigenous species from exposure to antifouling paints.

The NSW Science and Engineering Awards were initiated in 2008 to recognise and reward the State’s leading researchers in science and engineering for cutting edge work that generates economic, health, environmental or technological benefits for NSW.

Here is a group photo of the award winners with the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir AC, CVO, Professor Mary O’Kane, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer and NSW Deputy-Premier, The Hon. Andrew Stoner.

SIMS and SIMS Foundation are proud and delighted to have Emma leading our flagship Sydney Harbour Research Program. For further details refer to the website.