Aussie STEM Stars: Emma Johnston
Marine Biologist and TV Presenter
Age range 9 to 14
Emma Johnston AO FTSE FRSN is the 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 at UNSW.
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.
She is a regular media commentator and, as co-presenter of the Foxtel/BBC television series Coast Australia, which has helped take Australian marine science to an international audience. She also launched a Sydney Harbour cruise called Underwater Secrets' – Sydney Harbour Revealed, which focuses on scientific research into the waterway.
Dee White grew up near the sea but instead of being an underwater explorer like Emma, she preferred to explore the world inside her imagination and make up stories. There are three generations of scientists in her family and Dee cares deeply about the environment and is fascinated by how things work. She is the author of more than 20 books published in USA, UK, Canada, Israel, Australia and New Zealand. In the name of research, Dee has travelled Australia and overseas, jumped out of planes (with a parachute on), ridden a camel and been up in a hot air balloon. Dee loves writing books that empower readers and inspire them to explore the world outside their own experiences.
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