Marine scientist and science communicator Vanessa Pirotta has been named NSW 2027 Australian of the Year.
Dr Pirotta is a world-recognised marine scientist based in Macquarie University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Her work with whales has included pioneering methods to assess their health.
She is a regular media commentator, including appearances on the ABC’s children’s show Play School.
Dr Pirotta founded the citizen science project Wild Sydney Harbour and mentors young female Indigenous rangers, the Gamay Rangers, who track marine populations in Sydney’s Botany Bay.
She has conducted research in Antarctica and Madagascar, swum with whales in the South Pacific and been featured in international media, from Vogue to The New York Times.
Earlier this year, she led a training program in Tonga to help local ocean ambassadors collect environmental DNA and monitor whale sightings.
Dr Pirotta said she was passionate about sharing knowledge.
“We need to understand our blue backyard better,” Dr Pirotta said.
“I’m just sharing knowledge … I want people to feel empowered.”
Dr Pirotta’s father was born in Malta and her mother’s family is from Italy.
“Australians are curious and, through their interactions with whales and growing awareness of these incredible animals, are recognising that the ocean is an important place for all of us,” she said. “But we still don’t understand it very well.”
Dr Pirotta will represent New South Wales in the 2027 Australian of the Year awards, to be announced in Canberra on January 25, 2027.
