Mary Wlodek is a Professor in the Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne. She graduated with a BSc(Hons) and MSc from the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada and subsequently was awarded her PhD in Physiology from Monash University in Australia. Mary is a global leader in developmental origins physiological research and Head of the Fetal, Postnatal & Adult Physiology & Disease Laboratory. She is renowned for her successful experimental model that mimics human growth profiles, organ deficits and phenotypes observed in babies born small who are susceptible to adult diseases. Her laboratory is recognised as performing complex whole animal physiological studies exploring of the adult, pregnancy and transgenerational consequences of being born small. Critical to the translational outcomes, Prof Wlodek has also experimentally incorporates of various innovative treatments and interventions including nutritional (cross-fostering, diet), exercise, pregnancy, transgenerational and impact of stress as well as alcohol during pregnancy. Evidence of her strength in collaborative research is demonstrated in joint papers, grants and junior academic and student mentoring. Her studies have substantially advanced the understanding of the consequences of being born small, early and adolescent life as well as pregnancy adaptations. Research efforts have led to an ongoing and accelerating series of highly cited publications in top journals in the field, including Nature, supported by national research funding. Prof Wlodek has demonstrated her strong commitment to the vitality of ongoing research and the criticality of inspiration for all students and researchers through her many senior leadership roles at University and Faculty levels. These include Deputy Dean of the Melbourne School of Graduate Research, Coordinator Research Development with Melbourne Research and Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Professor Wlodek’s strong commitment to mentoring has also been recognised through prestigious awards, including the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Excellence Award for Equity and Staff Development (2012), the University’s James Angus Award for Outstanding Research Higher Degree Supervision and subsequently the Australian Government, Office for Learning & Teaching, Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2013).