Marine science has enormous potential for societal impact, but impactful outcomes require intentional planning and engagement. In this presentation, I will share my research impact journey, drawing on examples from different stages of my career. My research trajectory has evolved in response to emerging public health and environmental challenges. Over the last few decades, I have progressively shifted my focus from marine bioprospecting and drug discovery, to healthy seafood, anthropogenic impacts and water quality. This is in recognition that our health is fundamentally dependent on a healthy environment. Seafood has nutritional and medicinal value, but our research shows this is threatened by climate change and chemical pollution. Over the same time period as my career, pesticide use in Australia has increased by an alarming 920%, which is way above the word average (106%, https://ourworldindata.org/pesticides). We are only just beginning to document the impact of these emerging contaminants on our local seafood and marine ecosystems, let alone human health. This is one example where research and effective communication is essential, not only to fill the gaps in knowledge, but to increase public awareness, inform policy and improve regulations. Collaboration with stakeholders has also been integral for designing evidence-based research to investigate solutions for mitigating pesticide run-off. To ensure marine research is impactful, we must move beyond the outdated view that scientists should stay out of politics. Whilst true impact should always be underpinned by objective and rigorous research, we need to embrace the ethical responsibility to share our expert knowledge, empower communities and help shape national priorities for a sustainable future.