Michelle Waycott

Professor Michelle Waycott holds the HBS Womersley Chair in Systematic Botany at the University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences, within the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. She also serves as Chief Botanist and Head of the State Herbarium of South Australia (AD), part of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium under the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR). Her roles include research leadership, policy advising, and academic teaching.

Her research focuses on plant systematics, evolutionary biology, and coastal ecosystems, with particular emphasis on seagrasses and their ecological roles. She integrates molecular tools, population genetics, and ecological studies to address conservation challenges and inform management strategies. Key interests include species delimitation, hybridization, and climate change impacts on flora and coastal environments.

Professor Waycott collaborates with institutions like the Environment Institute and the Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology & Biodiversity. Her work spans applied science for policy, biodiversity management, and evidence-based decision-making. She also contributes to teaching in Marine Biology, Botany, and Evolutionary Biology programs, supervising honours, master’s, and PhD students.

Recent publications highlight her contributions to seagrass restoration strategies, phylogenomics of Australian flora, and ecosystem service assessments. Her research underscores the importance of bridging foundational science with practical applications for sustainable resource management.