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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 Science, Engineering and Digital Technologies
Office T331
Location Toowoomba Campus
Phone +61 7 4631 2646
Extension 2646
Email
Qualifications BNatSci Estonian University of Life Sc , MNatSci Estonian University of Life Sc , PhD Macquarie University
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 Birnbaum is an ecologist specialising in invasion ecology and plant–microbe–soil interactions. Her research integrates field studies, experimental approaches, and molecular tools to understand plant–microbe dynamics across diverse ecosystems, with applications in invasive species management and ecological restoration.

With over 15 years of international research experience across Europe, Australia, and the USA, Christina has held roles at Deakin University, RMIT University, Tulane University, and Murdoch University. Her work has advanced understanding of soil microbial community dynamics, plant invasion impacts, and restoration processes in both terrestrial and coastal systems.

Christina is a co-founder and lead convener of the Ecological Society of Australia’s Plant-Soil Ecology Special Interest Network and serves on the editorial board of Plant Ecology (Springer). Christina is a member of the International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) (UN Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations).

Christina is a strong advocate for diversity in STEM and is passionate about science communication and collaboration.

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.


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


  • Centre for Crop Health (CCH)
  • Institute for Agriculture, Climate and Environment (IACE)
  • 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


Deputy Discipline Lead (Agriculture and Environmental Science)
Team lead (Environmental Science)

Supervision


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