Professor Emma Johnston, the 21st vice chancellor of Melbourne University and a respected marine ecologist, has died at the age of 52 after a brief battle with cancer. Johnston, who also held leadership positions at UNSW and the University of Sydney, was an Officer of the Order of Australia. Her death, which occurred over the weekend, has come as a shock to the university community, as she continued working until Christmas. Her family expressed gratitude for the widespread outpouring of love and respect for her work and legacy.