Our people
The Biodiversity Node, hosted by Macquarie University, is a diverse group of researchers and practitioners working together to progress climate change adaptation knowledge. Our members are united by the common goal of understanding the current and potential impacts of climate change and the adaptive responses required to reduce risk and vulnerability of biodiversity.
Through the Biodiversity Node network, we strive to better connect adaptation researchers and end-users via regular communication, workshops, seminars and other events, and improve the usability of our research.
Our members include internationally and nationally recognised leaders in the fields of climate change impacts and adaptation.
Governance
Distinguished Professor Lesley HughesDirector of the Biodiversity NodeProfessor Lesley Hughes is an expert on the impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems. She is a member of the Climate Commission and is the Australian Representative on the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change. Lesley is also a lead author for the UN’s IPCC Fourth and Fifth Assessment Reports, and a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and Climate Scientists Australia. | |
| Distinguished Professor Michelle LeishmanDeputy Director of the Biodiversity NodeProfessor Michelle Leishman works with plant functional traits and ecological strategies of plants to understand the success of invasive plants, predicting the success of invasive plants with climate change and developing sustainable vegetation restoration methods. |
 | Tori GrahamExecutive Officer of the Biodiversity NodeTori's role is to provide support to all members and facilitate strong communication channels between scientists, decision makers and practitioners. She has a keen interest in science communication and stakeholder engagement. Tori is also completing her PhD at Macquarie University evaluating the effectiveness of protected areas for conserving nature and is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. |
Biodiversity Node members
| Researcher | Organisation | Research interests and expertise |
| Allen, Stuart | Macquarie University | Web development, programming, data management |
| Auld, Tony | DPIE | Threatened species and ecosystems, climate change impacts |
| Baumgartner, John | Macquarie University | Programming languages, ecology, zoology |
| Beaumont, Linda | Macquarie University | Species distribution modelling |
| Bell, Linda | DPIE | Threatened species management |
| Bender, Hannah | Taronga Zoo | Wildlife pathology, diagnostics |
| Bishop, Melanie | Macquarie University | Impacts of climate change & disturbance on coastal and estuarine systems |
| Brazill-Boast, James | DPIE | Threatened species management |
| Burgman, Mark | University of Melbourne | Risk assessments, ecological modelling, biosecurity |
| Bush, Alex | University of New Brunswick | Freshwater biodiversity, species distribution modelling |
| Chang, Michael | Macquarie University | Remote sensing, geographic information systems, land monitoring |
| Costello, Oliver | Firesticks Initiative | Aboriginal fire practices |
| Doerr, Veronica | CSIRO | Behavioural ecology, landscape management & design |
| Downey, Paul | University of Canberra | Invasive plants |
| Dunford, Suzanne | Waverley Council | Sustainability, policy, green cities |
| Ens, Emilie | Macquarie University | Cross-cultural ecology |
| Esperón-RodrÃguez, Manuel | Macquarie University | Ecology, bioclimatology, ecophyisiology |
| Drielsma, Michael | DPIE | Spatial modelling techniques, mapping |
| Gallagher, Rachael | Macquarie University | Weed ecology, species distribution modelling |
| Graham, Victoria | Macquarie University | Conservation planning, protected areas, spatial science |
| Grech, Alana | James Cook University | Spatial information science, conservation planning |
| Hancock, Nola | Macquarie University | Ecological restoration practices, biodiversity conservation |
| Hughes, Lesley | Macquarie University | Climate change ecology, species distribution modelling, conservation policy |
| Leishman, Michelle | Macquarie University | Invasive species, vegetation response to extreme events, restoration |
| Medlyn, Belinda | Western Sydney University | Climate change impacts on forests, carbon cycling, impacts of elevated CO2 |
| Mitchell, Polly | DPIE | Sustainability, climate change impacts |
| Ralph, Tim | Macquarie University | Geomorphology, freshwater ecosystem science |
| Rose, Karrie | Taronga Zoo | Wildlife pathology and rehabilitation |
| Rossetto, Maurizio | Royal Botanical Gardens | Evolutionary & conservation genetics, restoration |
| Rumpff, Libby | University of Melbourne | Plant ecology, adaptive management, risk assessment |
| Spindler, Rebecca | Taronga Zoo | Wildlife behaviour, reproduction and health |
| Staas, Leigh | Macquarie University | Green cities, stakeholder engagement |
| Tomkins, Kerrie | Macquarie University | Geomorphology, natural resource management |