Dr Christina Birnbaum is a senior lecturer in terrestrial ecology at the University of Southern Queensland. Christina's research group uses field observations, combined with experimental manipulations and molecular tools to explore questions pertaining plant-microbe interactions to inform invasive plant species management, restoration ecology and plant-microbial dynamics. Christina serves on the Editorial Board of the international peer-review journal Plant Ecology and is a lead convener of the Ecological Society of Australia Plant-Soil Ecology Special Interest Network. 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 supporter of women and traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM and enjoys communicating science to wider audiences.