The School of Biology and Environmental Science seeks to understand how microorganisms, fungi, plants, and animals - grow, sense, adapt, interact, and evolve.
The school studies how genes, species and ecosystems function and can be managed, conserved, and restored; and where appropriate apply this knowledge to biotechnological solutions.
About our school
We bring together multidisciplinary research teams to address global challenges, ranging from food security to climate change. We work across all levels of complexity, from genes to whole organisms, and in natural to modified ecosystems.
Through research and technology development, we aim to:
- significantly contribute to the advancement of food production
- develop more resilient and nutritional crops
- understand groundwater-soil-vegetation interactions
- treat plant and animal diseases
- prevent and control pests and invasive species
- manage and conserve native species.
Our research
The school has an outstanding record of producing impactful pure and applied research outcomes, with ERA ratings for fields of research either at or well above world standard (ERA 2015).
We are the partner of choice for research and innovation at federal, state and regional government levels, and with industry and end-users.
Our researchers currently play a leadership role in the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Success.
School members have leadership roles and are affiliated with a number of university research centres including the Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy, Centre for the Environment and Centre for a Waste-Free World.
Fruit Fly Research Group
An internationally leading centre for fruit fly research and education, we partner with industry, government and other researchers to ensure the best possible science and technology is applied to solving the global biosecurity issues caused by these pests.
Quantitative Applied Spatial Ecology Group
An ecological research lab comprised of academics, post-doctoral fellows, postgraduate and honours students led by Dr. Grant Hamilton.
Industrial Biotechnology, Bioproducts and Biorefining
We're developing high-impact industrial biotechnology, synthetic biology and biorefining technologies to support the growth of this industry in Australia and around the world.
Learning and teaching experience
Mindful of the way in which science and engineering must be done in the 21st Century, the school creates an environment where issues can be discussed, researched and resolved in a way that attends to competing priorities.
Our courses in biology and environmental science reflect this approach as we seek to provide students with learning experiences appropriate to real-world problems.
Our research partnerships
We're working with you to find solutions to your problems. Reach result through a collaborative partnership with our experienced research experts who make active contributions to their fields.
Our facilities
Our staff
- Position
- Professor
- Division / Faculty
- School of Biology & Environmental Science
- Research fields
- Environmental management
- Agriculture, land and farm management
- Crop and pasture production
- d.rowlings@qut.edu.au
- Position
- Professor
- Division / Faculty
- School of Biology & Environmental Science
- Research fields
- Animal production
- Veterinary sciences
- martin.sillence@qut.edu.au
- Position
- Professor
- Division / Faculty
- School of Biology & Environmental Science
- claudia.vickers@qut.edu.au
- Position
- Professor
- Division / Faculty
- School of Biology & Environmental Science
- Research field
- Environmental management
- kerrie.wilson@qut.edu.au
- Position
- Associate Professor
- Division / Faculty
- School of Biology & Environmental Science
- Research fields
- Genetics
- Ecology
- am.baker@qut.edu.au
- Position
- Associate Professor
- Division / Faculty
- School of Biology & Environmental Science
- Research fields
- Microbiology
- Agricultural biotechnology
- Ecology
- caroline.hauxwell@qut.edu.au
News and events
All aboard: CSIRO science ship exhibit docks at QUT for holidays
A 12-metre shipping container that gives science lovers a taste of life aboard Australia’s ocean research vessel (RV) Investigator is on display at QUT in inner Brisbane over the school holidays.
$2.8M project to reduce cotton industry’s greenhouse gas emissions
A project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cotton production systems to enable Australia to be the preferred international supplier of low emissions fibre has received $1,985,000 from the Australian Government’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Program Partnerships and Innovation Grants Round and $800,000 from the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC).
Dr Katrina Wruck named 2025 Young Australian of the Year for Queensland
Dr Katrina Wruck, QUT research fellow in industrial chemistry and lecturer in the School of Chemistry and Physics with a passion for making the world a greener place has been named the 2025 Young Australian of the Year for Queensland.
Contact us
Contact the School of Biology and Environmental Science for more information on our courses, research and staff.