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Dr Christina Birnbaum

Dr Christina Birnbaum
Name Christina Birnbaum
Pronoun She/Her/Hers
Position Senior Lecturer (Terrestrial Ecology)
Section School of Agriculture and Environmental Science
Office T331
Location Toowoomba Campus
Phone +61 7 4631 2646
Extension 2646
Email Christina.Birnbaum@unisq.edu.au
Qualifications BNatSci Estonian LifeSci , MNatSci Estonian LifeSci , PhD Macquarie
Languages Estonian (accredited translator)
German (non accredited translator)
Polish (non accredited translator)
Russian (accredited translator)
Homepage https://research.usq.edu.au/researcher/8123q/dr-christina-birnbaum
The views expressed on staff homepages may not reflect the views of the University.

Biography

Christina is an ecologist specialising in invasion ecology and plant-microbe-soil interactions. Her research integrates field observations, experimental manipulations, and molecular tools to investigate plant-microbe interactions across diverse ecosystems. Her work aims to advance invasive species management, restoration ecology, and plant-microbial dynamics. With over 15 years of research experience spanning Europe, Australia, and the USA, Christina has made significant contributions to the field.

Before commencing at UniSQ in 2022, Christina was a Research Fellow with the Blue Carbon Lab at Deakin University and in the School of Science at RMIT University, Australia. Between 2017-2018, Christina was a postdoctoral fellow at Tulane University, USA. There, she established long term ecological monitoring sites to study the effects of invasive plant species on belowground soil communities to aid coastal restoration. Between 2012-2017, Christina was a research assistant then a postdoctoral fellow at Murdoch University, Australia, researching the effects of climate change on soil fungal communities, the role of soil microbes in restoration ecology and novel microbial communities in the ephemeral rockpools of Kimberley. Between 2008-2012, Christina was a PhD candidate at Macquarie University supported by highly competitive MQRES Scholarship. Prior to undertaking a PhD, Christina completed BSc and MSc at the Estonian University of Life Sciences and was a project manager and national representative for European Network on Invasive Alien Species.

In 2016, Christina co-founded the inaugural Plant-Soil Ecology Special Interest Network of the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA), where she currently serves as lead convener. This initiative fosters communication, networking, and collaboration among academics, early career researchers, students, and others interested in plant-soil interactions in Australia. Since 2017, Christina serves on the Editorial Board for Springer Plant Ecology journal.

Christina is also a dedicated advocate for women and traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM, actively participating in various mentoring programs in the USA and Australia.

Research Career


  • Terrestrial Ecology ( 310308 )
  • Other Biological Sciences ( 319900 )
  • Microbial Ecology ( 310703 )
  • Global Change Biology ( 319902 )
  • Ecology ( 310300 )
  • Microbiology ( 310700 )

Christina is an ecologist interested broadly in plant ecology and plant-microbe-soil interactions. Christina uses field observations, combined with experimental manipulations and molecular tools to explore questions pertaining plant-microbe interactions in diverse ecosystems, including shrublands, saltmarshes, mangroves and peatlands, to inform invasive species management, restoration ecology and plant-microbial dynamics.


International Association for Vegetation Science
Ecological Society of Australia
Weed Society of Western Australia
The Royal Society of Queensland
Queensland Mycological Society


  • Centre for Crop Health (CCH)
  • Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment (ILSE)
  • Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems (CSAS)

Teaching


REN2200 Ecology for Sustainability
REN3103 Applied Terrestrial Ecology
REN2201 Ecological Methods
REN3302 Sustainable Resource Use
REN6203 Sustainability Science


Major Convenor (Ecology and Conservation)
Major Convenor (Environment and Sustainability)

Supervision


  • Terrestrial Ecology ( 310308 )
  • Other Biological Sciences ( 319900 )
  • Microbial Ecology ( 310703 )
  • Global Change Biology ( 319902 )
  • Ecology ( 310300 )
  • Microbiology ( 310700 )