People

Dr Christina Birnbaum, Group Leader

Email: Christina.Birnbaum@unisq.edu.au

Christina is a Senior Lecturer and 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 traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM and enjoys communicating science to wider audiences. 

Jewan Ghalley, Master of Science (Agricultural Science) UniSQ (2025 - current)

(primary supervisor)

Email: u1170929@umail.usq.edu.au

Jewan will be studying Lantana camara industrial applications and uses.

Narges Ahmadi, Master of Science (Environment and Sustainability) UniSQ (2025 - current)

(primary supervisor)

Email: u1177968@umail.usq.edu.au

Narges will be studying soil–vegetation relationships in Australian eucalypt woodlands.

Ayla Heron, PhD candidate UniSQ (2025 - current)

(co-supervisor, primary supervisor A/Prof John Dearnaley,  Jonathan Plett (UWS))

Email: ayla.heron@unisq.edu.au

Ayla will be studying symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi and their effects on plant health and disease resistance. 

Sandra McEwan, PhD candidate QUT (2024 - current)

(co-supervisor, primary supervisor Dr Mark Bonner)

Email: sandra.mcewan@hdr.qut.edu.au

Sandie studies soil carbon dynamics in Northern Australia through the lens of microbial ecology. Her research integrates isotope ecology, soil science, and genomics to  answer complex questions about carbon persistence. 

Genavieve Jurd, Master by Research candidate UniSQ (2024 - current)

(Principal supervisor, co-supervisors Dr Kathryn Reardon-Smith, Dr Sofie De Meyer, Dr Jenny Bryce)

Email: Genavieve.Jurd@unisq.edu.au

Genavieve is interested in studying the fire intensity vs time-since fire effects on soil fungal and plant community diversity and post-fire recovery of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and Marri (Corymbia calophylla) forests of south-west Western Australia

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

(Co-supervisor, principal supervisor Dr Jarrod Kath)

Email: Tabitha.Wieden@unisq.edu.au

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.Stone@unisq.edu.au

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

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. 

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.