Australian of the Year

Dr Vanessa Pirotta is a well-known marine scientist who uses her passion for the ocean to engage Australians in conservation. 

As a renowned whale researcher, Vanessa has pioneered innovative ways to assess whale health (whale snot) using drones. She is the founder of Wild Sydney Harbour, a citizen science project that seeks to document the diversity of marine life found in Sydney Harbour. She works alongside the traditional custodians on Gamay (Botany Bay), the Gamay Rangers, to monitor marine populations. A strength of her work is a commitment to recognising the importance of First Nations cultural knowledge. 

Vanessa is a popular science communicator and champions conservation messages across generations in her books, public appearances and school outreach programs. She is also a strong advocate for having more women in STEAM subjects. Through her research, conservation work and science communication, Vanessa inspires and mentors young women to follow a career in science.