Dr Nicole McPherson is a reproductive biologist and clinical research leader whose work spans academia, clinical diagnostics, and industry. She holds a PhD in Reproductive Medicine and Andrology from the University of Adelaide (2015) and heads the Sperm and Embryo Biology Research Group within the Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing and the Robinson Research Institute at Adelaide University. Nicole is also National Director of Research and Diagnostic Laboratories at Genea Fertility, where she leads research strategy and diagnostic services across six states, and Head of Clinical Operations at Affinyx, commercialising a patented microfluidic sperm-selection device she co-invented.

Her research takes a male-centred approach to preconception health, spanning discovery science through to translational research and clinical implementation. She investigates sperm function and selection, paternal programming of offspring health, and novel diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for male infertility work that bridges fundamental biology with real-world clinical and commercial application. Her findings have informed WHO reports and national clinical guidelines, and span 68 peer-reviewed publications with over 4,100 citations.

Nicole has secured more than $3 million in competitive funding as Chief Investigator, including NHMRC and ARC awards. She has built a strong supervisory pipeline, mentoring postdoctoral researchers, PhD and Honours students who have gone on to national awards, academic fellowships, and careers spanning clinical embryology, medicine, and industry. She also serves as a national HDR mentor for the Society for Reproductive Biology and is a committed advocate for translating reproductive science into clinical practice.