Associate Professor Karen Cheney is Director of the Centre for Marine Science at The University of Queensland, where she connects and strengthens marine research across the University and build collaborations with government, industry, community and conservation partners. Her current research interests have a strong focus on marine conservation and restoration, including the conservation of the threatened White’s seahorse (Hippocampus whitei) in southeast Queensland and understanding the biodiversity and ecosystem services supported by shellfish reef restoration. Karen is also a sensory ecologist whose research explores how marine animals perceive and interact with their environment. Using multidisciplinary approaches spanning sensory, behavioural and chemical ecology, her research investigates predator–prey interactions, animal signalling, and the evolution and function of animal colour patterns, with a particular focus on marine fishes and molluscs.