Dr Schembri is an Animal Biosecurity Senior Policy and Project Officer with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD), Biosecurity and Food Safety Unit. Nicole has a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Science (Animal Science) and a PhD in Social Veterinary Epidemiology from the University of Sydney in 2008. Dr Schembri has a special interest in understanding the human element of applied animal biosecurity and emergency animal disease (EAD) prevention and preparedness for creating lasting behaviour change; and animal production in peri-urban areas. She has over 15 years of experience working as a post-doctoral fellow and research associate at the University of Sydney, field biosecurity roles with NSW Local Land Services and more recently, returning to social research and behavioural insights to improve EAD awareness, prevention and preparedness through targeted stakeholder and community engagement in the animal biosecurity field with the NSW DPI.