Dr Michelle Heupel revolutionised remote acoustic tracking of aquatic species to understand animal movement. She has successfully translated this research into powerful conservation action and policies at national and global scales. 

Her research has led to greater protections for sharks and other threatened species, informed fisheries stock assessments to enhance sustainability, and supported decisions about marine protected areas. 

She leads the highly successful Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), a significant collaborative ocean monitoring program. IMOS deploys observing equipment in the oceans around Australia and beyond, collecting data to support better management of sustainable ocean economies. 

She has served on Australia’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee. She also sits on a range of international bodies, including the UNESCO Ocean Decade Advisory Board and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Shark Specialist Group.