People

Dr Christina Birnbaum, Group Leader

Email: Christina.Birnbaum@unisq.edu.au

Christina is an ecologist studying plant ecology and plant-microbe-soil interactions to inform invasive species management, restoration ecology and plant-microbial dynamics. Christina is a strong supporter of women and minorities in STEM and enjoys communicating science to wider audiences. 

Tabitha Wieden, Master by Research candidate UniSQ (2024 - current)

(Co-supervisor, principal supervisor Dr Jarrod Kath)

Email: 

Tabitha is interested in studying the impact of invasive plant species management on the diversity of bird species in riparian areas.

Fiona Stone, Master by Research candidate UniSQ (2024 - current, part-time)

(Principal supervisor, co-supervisor A/Prof John Dearnaley)

Email: 

Fiona is interested in studying dry rainforest plant and leaf fungal endophyte diversity in south-east Queensland, and implications for ecological restoration. 

Kajalben Takhuji Chevada , Master of Science (Agricultural Science) candidate UniSQ (2023 - current)

(Principal supervisor, co-supervisor Dr Alla Marchuk)

Email: u1157719@umail.usq.edu.au

Kajalben is interested in studying invasive Lantana camara (L.) soil seed bank dynamics across environmental and agro-ecosystems in South-east Queensland.

Nirajan Pokhrel, Master of Science (Agricultural Science) candidate UniSQ (2023 - current)

(Principal supervisor, co-supervisor Dr Kirsty Owen (UniSQ))

Email: u1151519@umail.usq.edu.au

Nirajan is interested in studying soil nematode composition in Lantana camara (L.)  infested environmental and agricultural sites in South-east Queensland. 

Peter Saguba, PhD candidate UniSQ (2023 - current)

(Principal supervisor, co-supervisor Dr Meg Edwards (UniSQ), Dr Patrick Pikacha (PAU) )

Email: peter.saguba@unisq.edu.au

Peter is interested in the effects of Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) exclusion on the reproductive traits, germination, growth, distribution and genetic variability of the cassowary plum (Cerbera inflata) in isolated forest patches in Pahoturi Area, Western Province, Papua New Guinea. 

Juanita Ryan, Masters by Research candidate UniSQ (2022 - current, part-time)

(Principal supervisor, co-supervisors Dr Bree Wilson (UniSQ) and Dr Adam Frew (UWS))

Email: juanita.ryan@unisq.edu.au

Juanita is interested in the impact of non-native plant species on biodiversity in Australia and the restoration of affected areas.  Her Master's research is focused on understanding the role of soil microbes in Lantana camara success in the Darling Downs region, Queensland, Australia.

Meike Katharina Heuck,  PhD candidate UWS ( 2022 - current)

(Co-supervisor, principal supervisor Dr Adam Frew (UWS))

Email: meikekatharina.heuck@usq.edu.au

Meike is passionate about food security in times of climate change. Her main research focus is on the interaction between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plants to enable sustainable agriculture. She has extensive experience in ecosystem processes, biodiversity, and plant ecology.

Anne Yusuf,  PhD candidate RMIT University (2021 - current)

(Associate supervisor, principal supervisor Dr Sam Grover (RMIT) )

Email: anne.yusuf@student.rmit.edu.au

Anne is an environmental scientist interested in the application of chemistry and biology to understand the impact of climate change on ecosystems. Her research is focused on providing more insights on the interaction between peatland hydrology and biogeochemistry, and the climate change implication of this relationship.