John Macris has led high-impact biodiversity initiatives across 17 years as Biodiversity Advisor at Macquarie University, delivering measurable ecological outcomes while helping transform the campus into a living laboratory for interdisciplinary learning. Through strong partnerships across faculties, curriculum-aligned field experiences and international study tour opportunities, John has embedded biodiversity into teaching, research and student engagement.

John developed the biodiversity KPI for the University’s Sustainability-Linked Loan, only the second of its kind in Australia, creating a peer-reviewed, data-driven framework to measure forest condition and restoration. His leadership has also supported restoration of the endangered Turpentine-Ironbark Forest and long-term rehabilitation of Mars Creek. His work demonstrates how operational sustainability, research and education can be integrated to deliver lasting environmental and institutional value.