Professor Natalie Hannan is an ARC Future Fellow, at the University of Melbourne. Natalie leads the Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group. Her research is focused on understanding placental development, vascular function and adaptation in pregnancy, as well as the underlying mechanisms driving spontaneous pre-term birth. Natalie is passionate about developing safe therapeutics and delivery strategies for use in pregnancy, and for the treatment of major complications of pregnancy including preeclampsia and preterm birth. Natalie’s research has been recognized by the award of continuous funding support through eminent Fellowships and research grants, with close to $10Million awarded to date, to undertake important research to improve the health of women and infants. Natalie has a strong research profile with >145 peer-reviewed publications to date in international journals. She has received several prominent awards including the International Federation Placental Associations (IFPA) Andrèe Gruslin award, the Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) Robinson Research Institute Excellence in Reproductive Biology award and a VESKI Inspiring Women Fellowship. Her pre-clinical research has led to several international and national Phase II clinical trials. Natalie is the President of the Australian New Zealand Placental Research Association (ANZPRA), and an executive committee/council member on the International Federation of Placental Associations (IFPA) and the Society of Obstetric Medicine Australia and New Zealand. She is a board director for Victorian Endowment for Science Knowledge & Innovation (VESKI) and serves on the Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering executive steering committee. Natalie is also Associate Editor for the journal Reproduction. Natalie is a recognised leader working to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion. She is the Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusion, in the Faculty Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. She is a staunch ambassador for Women in STEM and is involved in initiatives to reduce the gender inequity in STEM. In 2016 she was awarded an inaugural VESKI Inspiring Women Fellowship. She is deeply committed to equity and advocacy for all people, their purpose, and for science and medicine. She is well known for her engagement and passion to communicate on equity issues, as well as her medical research to the public. In recognition of her public engagement and communication skills she was awarded a Young Tall Poppy award.