Romane Cristescu

Dr. Romane Cristescu is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Queensland, Australia, and Director of Detection Dogs for Conservation. Her work focuses on developing innovative methodologies for wildlife conservation, including detection dogs, drone thermal imaging, and non-invasive genetic sampling. She holds a PhD from UNSW and veterinary training from France, specializing in wildlife conservation.

Research interests include conservation biology, restoration ecology, koala genetics, and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. She leads projects on koala population monitoring, habitat fragmentation, and policy-relevant science. Her team uses detection dogs and drones to survey koalas and assess their health through scat analysis. She collaborates with government, NGOs, and industry to translate research into effective conservation policies.

Key projects include the Koala Safe Neighbourhoods program, cultural burning studies on North Stradbroke Island, and evaluating the impact of infrastructure on wildlife connectivity. Her work emphasizes bridging scientific research with practical conservation actions to address threats like habitat loss and climate change.

Dr. Cristescu has supervised numerous graduate students and authored over 70 publications. Her lab develops technologies like solar-powered VHF ear tags for long-term koala tracking. She advocates for evidence-based policy and integrates Indigenous fire management practices to enhance biodiversity outcomes.