Christina Birnbaum

Dr. Christina Birnbaum is a Senior Lecturer (Terrestrial Ecology) at The University of Southern Queensland's School of Agriculture and Environmental Science. Her research focuses on plant-microbe interactions in ecosystems such as peatlands, coastal wetlands, and agroecosystems. She holds a PhD from Macquarie University and has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications.

Her research interests include microbial ecology, invasion ecology, and restoration strategies. Notable projects include studies on peatland degradation, soil microbiome responses to climate change, and organic farming practices. She has secured grants totaling AUD $70,000+ for projects like soil legacy effects of invasive species and Kimberley rock pool microbiology.

Birnbaum currently supervises 8 doctoral and master's students, focusing on topics like cassowary plum conservation and weed management impacts. She collaborates with institutions like Macquarie University and Murdoch University, emphasizing field experiments and molecular tools to address environmental challenges.

Her work highlights microbial community roles in ecosystem resilience, advocating for soil biodiversity inclusion in conservation policies. Key contributions include the 'Aiding coastal wetland restoration via the belowground soil microbiome' framework and citizen science initiatives like 'Dig Up Dirt' for fungal diversity mapping.