Education
Born in 1973, to parents who were both scientists at that time, Johnston studied physics and chemistry in high school, not biology.
Born in 1973, to parents who were both scientists at that time, Johnston studied physics and chemistry in high school, not biology.
She is a professor at the University of New South Wales, where she heads the Subtidal Ecology and Ecotoxicology Research Group. Johnston is the inaugural Director of the Sydney Harbour Research Program at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. She is also a research fellow of the Australian Research Council.
Johnston"s research focuses on the impact of human activities and the effects of pollutants on marine life.
She performs most of her research in the field, often in Sydney Harbour. As of 2014, Johnston has published over 80 peer-reviewed works.
Early career advice to Johnston was to do law or medicine. However, being a keen sailor from a very young age and interested in all things to do with the water, she decided to focus on biology in her undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science) at the University of Melbourne, which she completed in 1998 with first class Honours.
She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in marine ecology in 2002 at the University of Melbourne under the supervision of Mick Keough.
She joined UNSW as an associate lecturer in 2001 and is now a professor in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Research
Amongst Johnston"s significant research findings is the discovery that toxic contaminants facilitate the invasion of coastal waterways by non-indigenous species. Some of her research topics include: determining the major drivers of marine bio-invasions,the vulnerability of Antarctic marine communities, and developing new biomonitoring techniques and informing the development of effective management of biodiversity in Australian estuarine systems
Other activities
Johnston is co-presenter of the Foxtel/British Broadcasting Corporation television series Coast Australia.
She also launched a Sydney Harbour cruise called Underwater Secrets" – Sydney Harbour Revealed, which focuses on scientific research into the waterway.