Professor Nicole Webster is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Tasmania, with strategic oversight of the University's research mission, including research excellence, integrity, sustainable funding, and translating research into meaningful impact for Tasmania, Australia and the world. A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Nicole is internationally recognised as a world leader in marine microbial symbiosis. Over two decades at the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, she advanced understanding of how microorganisms underpin the health and resilience of coral reefs, and how these symbiotic partnerships respond to environmental change. From 2021–24 Nicole was Chief Scientist of the Australian Antarctic Program, developing innovative, collaborative pathways to improve understanding, management and conservation of Antarctica's wild and fragile ecosystems. She was subsequently Executive Director of the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, leading research, education and outreach on temperate marine, Southern Ocean and Antarctic environments and their role in the global climate system.