School of Science

Associate Professor Anna Hopkins

Anna is an Associate Professor in conservation biology and molecular ecology and the Course Coordinator for Higher Degree by Research programmes in the School of Science.

Current Teaching

• SCB3201 Studies in Ecology
• SCI2117 Genetics
• SCI2151 Plant Physiology and Pathology
• SCI2381 Ecology for Education
• SCI6151 Plant Pathology and Pests
• SCM2201 Soil and Landscape Processes

Background

• 2025 - present: Associate Professor, School of Science, Edith Cowan University
• 2019 - 2025: Senior Lecturer, School of Science, Edith Cowan University
• 2016 - 2019: Lecturer, School of Science, Edith Cowan University
• 2013 - 2016: Researcher, Centre for Climate Change, Forest and Woodland Health, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
• 2010 - 2013: Researcher, Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
• 2006 - 2010: Postdoctoral Fellow, Scion (New Zealand Forest Research Institute), New Zealand
• 2006 - Associate Lecturer in Plant Pathology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
• 2003 - 2006: Sessional Lecturer, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Professional Memberships

• 2024 - present: Southern eDNA Society (Foundation Member)
• 2023 - present: Australian Forest Products Association Forest Health and Biosecurity (FHaB) Subcommittee (Member)
• 2023 - present: Western Australian Myrtle Rust Working Group (Member)
• 2021 - present: Australasian Mycological Society (Councillor 2020-2023; Vice President 2023-)

Awards and Recognition

National and International Awards

• 2010 - Finalist for the New Zealand Zonta Women in Science Award 2010.
• 2009 - Best New Presenter Award, 2009 New Zealand Plant Protection Society Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.
• 2006 - Best Poster in Biodiversity & Conservation, International Mycological Congress 8, Cairns, Australia.
• 2003 - Second place in the student poster competition, 34th Australian Entomological Society and 6th Invertebrate Biodiversity Conference, Hobart, Tasmania.

University and National Teaching Awards

• 2017 – Edith Cowan University Athena Swan Kick-Starter Science Award.
• 2006 - Teaching Merit Certificate, University of Tasmania.

National and International Research Positions

• 2024- present: International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) Working Party 7.03.04 Diseases and Insects in Forest Nurseries (Coordinator).
• 2021 - present: Ecological Society of Australia, Plant-Soil Research Chapter (Steering Committee)
• 2021 - present: Australasian Mycological Society, Education Subcommittee (Member)
• 2020 - present: Ecological Society of Australia, Education Research Chapter (Steering Committee)
• 2014 - 2024: International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) Working Party 7.03.04 Diseases and Insects in Forest Nurseries (Deputy Coordinator).
• 2011 - 2013: European Union COST Action Determining invasiveness and risk of Dothistroma (DIAROD) (Short-term Scientific Mission Coordinator and Steering Committee Member).
• 2010 - 2013: European Union Framework Seven project ISEFOR: Increasing sustainability of European forests: Modelling for security against invasive pests and pathogens under climate change (Member).

Research Areas and Interests

• Interactions between mycorrhiza, plant hosts and ecosystem function
• Impact of disturbances such as drought, fire and urbanisation on soil fungal ecology
• Mycophagy and the ecological impacts of digging mammals
• Conservation applications of eDNA especially diet analysis and soil biology
• Ecology and management of forest pathogens (especially stem and leaf/needle pathogens)
• Molecular detection and management of invasive forest pathogens and links to biosecurity
• Community ecology of fungi and the management of native forest systems
• Regenerative and organic agriculture and impacts on soil biota and soil health
• Tertiary teaching in environmental science, biology and science communication