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Dr Christopher Doropoulos

Senior Research Scientist

https://people.csiro.au/D/C/Christopher-Doropoulos

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Contact details:

BIOSCIENCE PREC 306 CARMODY RD
ST. LUCIA QLD 4067 AUSTRALIA

Biography

My research focuses on patterns of benthic colonisation and role of species interactions and environmental drivers in modulating system recovery following disturbances. Understanding how reef resilience and restoration interfaces with ocean circulation, larval connectivity and population dynamics is an ongoing theme of my research to bridge the gap between active, on-the-ground interventions, with broader scale patterns of temporal and spatial connectivity for planning of how, where and when activities should occur. Coral recruitment ecology is my specialisation, focusing on the interactions and demographic rates that influence coral recovery following acute disturbances along environmental gradients. A large portion of my most recent work develops strategies to provide scalable solutions for ecologically relevant coral reef restoration.

I combine observational, experimental, and modelling approaches to develop mechanistic understandings of ecological patterns in population and community recovery. Utilising this knowledge, my research aims to:
1. Assess the role of environmental gradients within and across stage-specific coral recruitment processes;
2. Understand how biophysical interactions influence early recovery trajectories; and,
3. Evaluate the feasibility and optimisation of upscaling restoration for the recovery of coral reefs and other coastal marine systems.

To achieve these aims, my work is often multidisciplinary and involves ecologists, biological and physical oceanographers, marine engineers, and most recently community stakeholders.

Achievements and Awards

  • 2020-2024

    Julius Career Award
    CSIRO

  • 2020-2020

    Coral Reef Hero
    Environment Coastal & Offshore Magazine Special Edition with ICRS 2021

  • 2017-2017

    Queensland Young Tall Poppy Award
    Australian Institute of Policy and Science

  • 2013-2013

    Australian Endeavour Award. Postdoctoral Fellowship to conduct research in Palau.
    Australian Government

  • 2013-2013

    Virginia Chadwick Award. Best student paper.
    ARC Centre of Excellence Coral Reef Studies

  • 2010 -2010

    Danielle Simmons Award. PhD field work related costs.
    Australian Coral Reef Society

  • 2009-2012

    PhD Top-up Scholarship
    QLD State Government Smart Futures

Professional Areas

Academic Qualifications

  • 2009-12

    PhD (Marine Ecology)
    The University of Queensland

  • 2004-07

    BSc (Biology) Honours (1st Class)
    Edith Cowan University

Professional Experiences

  • 2020-current

    Senior Research Scientist
    CSIRO

  • 2019-current

    Subprogram Co-Lead (EcoRRAP, Moving Corals)
    Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program

  • 2022-2023

    Committee Member
    O&A EMCR Committee

  • 2018-2020

    Research Scientist
    CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere

  • 2015-2018

    OCE Postdoctoral Fellow
    CSIRO Oceans and Atmoshpere

  • 2018-2018

    Co-Chair
    CSIRO National Postdoctoral Fellow Committee

  • 2013-2015

    Postdoctoral Fellow
    Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland

  • 2009-2012

    Teaching Assistant and Student Project Supervisor
    School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland

  • 2008-2008

    Research Assistant
    Edith Cowan University

Community and Corporate Citizenship

  • 2019-present

    Advising Maldives Marine Research Institute for 5-year Coral Restoration Program

  • 2018-2019

    Contributing Author. IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Chapter 2.1 Status and trends-Drivers of Change

  • 2013-2015

    Mentoring researchers and conducting workshops in data analysis at the Palau International Coral Reef Center

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