Martin is a scholar of restoration ecology, ecosystem health, and genomics at Flinders University. Some career highlights include working with the UN and WHO on the links between biodiversity and human health via the microbiome, serving as a patron for the IUCN Species Survival Commission, and teaching amazingly resilient and optimistic students during COVID-19. He runs a close-knit research group (https://restorationecology.com.au/) that develops solutions to pressing global issues. Examples of their work include working on optimising biodiverse urban green spaces to maximise human health and biodiversity; pioneering the use of genomics to improve ecosystem restoration; and harnessing the power of plant-microbe interactions to improve ecosystem outcomes under global change. He is a passionate university educator who aims to enable the next generation to turn around the global environmental tide from decline and degradation to repair and restoration.

Dr. Miriam Muñoz-Rojas is a Tenured Senior Scientist at the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of the Spanish National Research Council (IRNAS-CSIC) and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at UNSW Sydney. She previously held several positions in Australia, including Research Assistant Professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and ARC DECRA Fellow at UNSW Sydney, before relocating to Seville, Spain, where she is currently based. Her research focuses on understanding soil and ecosystem processes in both natural and degraded landscapes, with the goal of advancing ecological conservation and restoration in the context of global environmental change. She is also interested in developing and applying microbial-based, ecological, and environmental technologies to enhance soil and ecosystem functioning and ensure the delivery of key ecosystem services. She currently coordinates the SOIL-DarkDivNet global network — Linking anthropogenic impacts to soil biodiversity and function — and leads the MICROTERRA Project — Emerging soil microbiome-based strategies for restoring Mediterranean ecosystems and building adaptation to climate change — funded by the Spanish Government.

Shawn has recently completed his PhD and now works as a Research Associate at Flinders University with a broad focusses on improving ecosystem restoration outcomes. Shawn's research uses embedded experiments and genomic approaches to cover a variety of themes including seed sourcing strategies, soil translocations and microbial inoculations to improve restoration success.

Tarryn Davies is a PhD candidate at Flinders University exploring the applications of phage therapy in an ecosystem restoration context. Her broader research looks at association between soil microbial communities/functional profiles and vegetation conditions in a nationally endangered grassy woodlands.

Riley Hodgson is a Research Associate at Flinders University in the Frontiers of Restoration Ecology (FORE) research group. He is interested in mechanisms of ecosystem resilience with respect to interactions between plants and their soil microbiota. His research explores how soil microbiota can affect plants under environmental stress, and effectively utilising beneficial soil microbiota during ecosystem restoration plantings.

Kyle Iseppi is a Masters student at La Trobe University working in the Applied and Environmental Microbiology group led by Dr Jen Wood. He completed his Honours year in 2024 under the supervision of Dr Josh Vido. Kyle's primary research interests include the use of sophisticated genetic techniques to explore complex biological systems and better understand the functions of cellular populations, and the health of greater ecosystems.

Janneke Zoontjens is a PhD student with Federation University, researching ecology with a focus on ecosystem engineering and restoring arid landscapes.

Kate Matthews is a PhD student studying soil ecology at Flinders University, South Australia. She is interested in the role of soil in maintaining the health of agricultural and natural ecosystems. Specifically, she is interested in the application of ecological intensification in agroecological contexts and how ecological thinking can be utilised to enhance soil health across diverse landscapes. Accordingly, her PhD research explores the implications of sustainable land-use practices on soil microbial communities. Her primary aim is to engage decision-makers and landholders to understand challenges and convey her research to create nature-positive outcomes.

Nicole is a PhD candidate with research interests in environmental microbiomes and ecosystem health while considering links to human health. They have an interdisciplinary focus on fragmented ecosystems, environmental microbiomes, and ecosystem and human health using microbial genomic approaches.

Sofie Costin is a PhD candidate at Flinders University exploring how invasive buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) transforms ecosystems across South Australia. Using molecular tools and ecological modelling, she investigates the complex interactions between buffel grass, soil and biocrust microbial communities, and the surrounding landscape. Her research explores how buffel grass alters ecosystem functions and feedbacks, influencing both biodiversity and land management outcomes. By combining ecological insights with practical considerations, Sofie develops strategies aimed at balancing effective control with social and environmental goals. With a strong foundation in biodiversity and restoration, she is committed to translating research into solutions that support healthier, more resilient Australian ecosystems.

I’m a microbiologist passionate about soil ecology, with a focus on plant–microbe interactions and their role in ecosystem restoration. My work explores how soil microbes and plant traits,aiming to apply this knowledge to enhance biodiversity in degraded landscapes.

I’m a PhD candidate researching soil microbiology in an agricultural context. My research focuses on how soil microbes respond to both sustainable and non-sustainable management practices, aiming to improve our understanding of soil health and sustainability. Traditional land management practices have shaped microbial communities over time, giving us valuable insight into what needs to change. However, transitioning to contemporary agricultural practices can be unpredictable, with many products and methods lacking sufficient research. By studying microbial responses to contemporary sustainable practices, we can better inform future agricultural decisions. I have been awarded the Elevate Scholarship, supported by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) through the Elevate: Boosting Diversity in STEM program.

Dr. Ruby Angurana is a zoologist specializing in soil arthropod ecology, with a Ph.D. focused on the biodiversity and ecological significance of Collembola in agroecosystems. Her research integrates molecular identification techniques, such as DNA barcoding, with morphological tools like SEM to study soil microarthropods. She is passionate about biodiversity conservation, taxonomy, and environmental sustainability, and has experience in field ecology, molecular biology, and participatory research approaches.

Hi, I'm Gian (he/him), your favourite caffeinated postdoc exploring plant ecology, biogeography, and plant–soil relationships. I'm currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country (Curtin University), where I investigate how soil biotic and abiotic factors influence native plant success and how this knowledge can improve restoration outcomes. Come talk to me about anything plant-y, videogames (open world, rpg), or where to find the best coffee in town!

I've just completed an Honour's at La Trobe University under the supervision of Dr John Morgan, Dr Jen Wood and Luke Florence. I'm interested in Ecosystem restoration, Environmental Ecology and Soil Microbial Ecology. Prior to commencing Honours, I've worked restoring Critically Endangered Plains Grassland. This ecosystem has become the focus of my Honours project and i hope to continue my research in this area after Honours.

Motivated by a curiosity for the soil microbiome, Sandie McEwan is a soil microbial ecologist currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the Queensland University of Technology, where she is combining microbial genomics, isotope tracing, and community ecology approaches to study the mechanism of soil carbon persistence in Northern Australia. Her current research builds off of her Master of Philosophy (MPhil), which explored how environmental disturbance reshapes microbial communities and disrupts soil carbon persistence. Passionate about making microbial research actionable, Sandie aims to develop approaches that translate soil microbial data into practical guidance for land management and restoration

Dr Jake M. Robinson is an interdisciplinary researcher working at the nexus of microbial ecology, ecosystem restoration and human health. Grounded in systems thinking, his work explores how ecological, biological and cultural processes interact to shape resilient futures. Jake contributes to global initiatives such as the UNFCCC Resilience Frontiers and Grounded Minds Consortium and leads science-driven projects that bridge research, public engagement and imagination infrastructure. He is passionate about making complex science accessible to everyone and is the author of Invisible Friends (2023), TREEWILDING (2024) and The Nature of Pandemics (2025). He also hosts two podcasts (Interconnected and Naked Thinking) and a new YouTube channel: @naturegutbrain. For more information, visit: www.jakemrobinson.com

Amy Annells is a PhD candidate at Flinders University. Her research explores the interconnection of how audible and microbial technologies can be used in support ecosystem recovery.

Alex Taylor is a research assistant at Flinders University hired as part of ARC Linkage Grant to further the field of soil ecoacoustics. Having finished their degrees Bsc (Hons) in both Animal Behaviour and Biodiversity & Conservation, Alex is eager to continue research started in their undergraduate studies. Alex is also a musician and has utilised their passions for sonic arts to explore the sounds and symphonies of belowground communities.