Dr Irene Martin Fores
Grant-Funded Research Fellow
School of Biological Sciences
College of Sciences
I am a passionate invasion ecologist dedicated to unravelling the complexities and effects of biological invasions within plant communities through a multi-scale approach. My fascination with understanding plant ecology drives my research, which ranges from local-scale processes to global ecological patterns. From a young age, I knew I wanted to work in academia, captivated by the excitement of exploring uncharted scientific territories. I have had the chance to work in a variety of projects, from which I have gain a multidisciplinary expertise; thus, my primary interests include invasion ecology, community ecology, global change and ecological modelling, biogeography and biodiversity patterns, and functional ecology and ecophysiology and social ecology.My academic journey began with a first-class MSc in Biological Sciences. I was awarded a prestigious 4-year fellowship for my Doctorate studies, leading to a PhD in Ecology and Environment at Complutense University of Madrid (Spain) where I explored transcontinental plant invasion patterns (completed in October 2015). Post-PhD, my career flourished with positions at Rey Juan Carlos University, and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), in Spain; and since 2020 at the University of Adelaide, Australia. These roles expanded my expertise to include functional and forest ecology, biodiversity conservation and monitoring programs, and research infrastructure and development of new tools and functionality for the research community. My diverse experiences have enriched me professionally and personally, solidifying my position as a leading expert in invasion ecology and plant community dynamics. As a result, I have established strong collaboration networks with leading researchers worldwide in the fields of Plant Ecology, Invasion Ecology and Conservation Biology. My collaboration network includes researchers in Europe, America, and Australia.
I am a passionate invasion ecologist dedicated to unravelling the complexities and effects of biological invasions within plant communities through a multi-scale approach. My fascination with understanding plant ecology drives my research, which ranges from local-scale processes to global ecological patternsI have worked in a variety of projects, from which I have gained multidisciplinary expertise; thus, my primary interests include invasion ecology, community ecology, global change and ecological modelling, biogeography and biodiversity patterns, and functional ecology and ecophysiology and social ecology.
My academic journey began with a first-class MSc in Biological Sciences. I was awarded a prestigious 4-year fellowship for my Doctorate studies, leading to a PhD in Ecology and Environment at Complutense University of Madrid (Spain) where I explored transcontinental plant invasion patterns (completed in October 2015). Post-PhD, my career flourished with positions at Rey Juan Carlos University, and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), in Spain; and since 2020 at the University of Adelaide, Australia. These roles expanded my expertise to include functional and forest ecology, biodiversity conservation and monitoring programs, and research infrastructure and development of new tools and functionality for the research community. My diverse experiences have enriched me professionally and personally, solidifying my position as a leading expert in invasion ecology and plant community dynamics. As a result, I have established strong collaboration networks with leading researchers worldwide in the fields of Plant Ecology, Invasion Ecology and Conservation Biology. My collaboration network includes researchers in Europe, America, and Australia.
I have acted as chief investigator for Spanish national and European projects, coordinating international research teams into collaborative publications. Additionally, I have demonstrated excellent teaching skills, and have instituted strong state, national and international collaboration networks and made significant contributions to the field.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
I have authored 37 peer-reviewed articles, 31 out of those 37 (84%) published in Q1 journals, 1 book as senior author and 2 book chapters, 1 as lead author and the other as a sole author. My role has always been key, acting in most cases either as lead, senior, or second author (thus, having a primary role in 73.2% of my publications). Of these, 78% of my scientific outputs involve international collaborations, highlighting my ability to establish and consolidate successful collaboration networks with researchers worldwide. My publications have received a total of 480 citations according to Google scholar. I have a H-index of 14 (above average in my field at my career stage) and a field weighted citation impact (FWCI) of 1.12, indicating the high impact of my research (cited 12% more than other studies in the field). Of the above-mentioned scientific outputs, 22 scientific papers and 1 book chapter were published within the last five years.
I have developed 2 software outputs, and the subsequent updates. I was co-developer of ausplotsR, a CRAN R package to interact with the TERN AusPlots database, which averages 500 downloads per month and serves as one of the main platforms of research infrastructure for plot-based vegetation monitoring data nationally in Australia. Additionally, I designed key functionality to report alien flora at the Australian national scale. I was the lead developer of the Alien Flora of Australia (AFA), available on GitHub, whose associated script allows harmonisation of contrasting biodiversity data sources, exemplifying successful data interoperability for other countries with federal jurisdictions. This reflects the high impact of the research infrastructure created by us, and its importance for the broader scientific community. This highlights my achievements, given this is my primary research role within the project I am currently funded by.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 - ongoing | Postdoctoral Researcher | The University of Adelaide |
| 2017 - 2019 | Postdoctoral Researcher | Spanish National Research Council |
| 2016 - 2017 | Erasmus+ Project Coordinator | Environmental and Sociocultural association Cantabria Permaculture |
| 2016 - 2016 | Postdoctoral Researcher | King Juan Carlos University |
| 2010 - 2015 | PhD student | Complutense University of Madrid |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| French | Can read, write, speak and understand spoken |
| Italian | Can read and understand spoken |
| Portuguese | Can read and understand spoken |
| Spanish; Castilian | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 - 2015 | Complutense University of Madrid | Spain | PhD |
| 2008 - 2010 | Complutense University of Madrid | Spain | MSc |
| 2003 - 2008 | Complutense University of Madrid | Spain | BSc Hons |
| Date | Title | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Lecturer Accreditation | Spanish National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA) | Spain |
| 2019 | Private University Lecturer Accreditation | Spanish National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA) | Spain |
| 2017 | Assistant Professor Accreditation | Spanish National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA) | - |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2015 | El espinal de la región Mediterránea de Chile (2015). . |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Martín-Forés, I., Andrew, S. C., Guerin, G. R., & Gallagher, R. V. (2023). Linking the functional traits of Australian acacia species to their geographic distribution and invasion status. In D. M. Richardson, J. J. Le Roux, & E. Marchante (Eds.), Wattles: Australian Acacia Species Around the World (pp. 74-92). CABI. DOI Scopus3 |
| 2017 | Martin Fores, I. (2017). Exotic Plant Species in the Mediterranean Biome: A Reflection of Cultural and Historical Relationships. In B. Fuerst-Bjeliš (Ed.), Mediterranean Identities. Environment, Society, Culture (pp. 179-201). Rijeka, Croatia: InTech. DOI |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Guerin, G., Munroe, S., Martin Fores, I., Tokmakoff, A., & Sparrow, B. (2021). ausplotsR – rapid access to vegetation plot data across environments. Poster session presented at the meeting of TERN Science Symposium. Online. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| - | Martín‐Forés, I., Bywaters, S., Sparrow, B., & Guerin, G. (n.d.). Orchid and habitat fragmentation dataset for: "Simultaneous effect of habitat remnancy, exotic species, and anthropogenic disturbance on orchid diversity in South Australia". DOI |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Bentley, L., Forner, A., Khoury, S., Valladares, F., Bee, J. N., & Martín-Forés, I. (2025). Natural juniper woodlands are reclaiming the Mediterranean, turning old fields into priority habitat as land use shifts. DOI |
| 2024 | Guerin, G. R., Martín-Forés, I., Gallagher, R. V., Munroe, S. E. M., & Sparrow, B. (2024). Detecting ecosystem trends in response to climate and disturbance across continental plot networks: a power analysis. DOI |
| 2023 | Martin-Fores, I., Guerin, G., Lewis, D., Gallagher, R., Vilà, M., Catford, J., . . . Sparrow, B. (2023). Towards integrating and standardising information on plant invasions across Australia. DOI |
| 2022 | Munroe, S., Guerin, G., McInerney, F., Martín-Forés, I., Welti, N., Farrell, M., . . . Sparrow, B. (2022). A vegetation carbon isoscape for Australia built by combining continental-scale field surveys with remote sensing. DOI |
| 2021 | Martín-Forés, I., Bywaters, S., Sparrow, B., & Guerin, G. (2021). Orchid fruiting success is unrelated to surrounding floral resources in South Australian plant communities. DOI |
| 2021 | Martín-Forés, I., Bywaters, S., Sparrow, B., & Guerin, G. (2021). Simultaneous effect of habitat remnancy, exotic species and anthropogenic disturbance on orchid diversity and abundance. DOI |
| 2021 | del Rio-Hortega, L., Martín-Forés, I., Castro, I., de Miguel, J., & Acosta-Gallo, B. (2021). Network-based analysis reveals differences in plant assembly between the native and the invaded ranges.. DOI |
| 2021 | Martín-Forés, I., Bastias, C., Acuña-Miguez, B., Magro, S., Valladares, F., & Rot, M. (2021). Recruitment facilitation in expanding forests of Mediterranean juniper is sex-biased. DOI |
| 2021 | Martín-Forés, I., Guerin, G., Munroe, S., & Sparrow, B. (2021). Applying conservation reserve design strategies to define ecosystem monitoring priorities. DOI |
| 2020 | Munroe, S., Guerin, G., Saleeba, T., Martín-Forés, I., Blanco-Martin, B., Sparrow, B., & Tokmakoff, A. (2020). ausplotsR: An R package for rapid extraction and analysis of vegetation and soil data collected by Australia’s Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network. DOI |
Due to the limitations imposed by my grant funded contracts to date, I have been restricted from applying as Chief Investigator for any grants over my postdoctoral journey, even those that would complement my current role and research. Despite this, I have established an exceptional track record relative to opportunity in acquiring competitive grant funding as CI prior to, and while, undertaking my PhD, resulting in $135,000. Also, having participated in major grants as an associate investigator, that received over $AUD 2.6 million. In addition, during the last 3 years, I have submitted applications for the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – global modality (2021), and ARC DECRA (2022 and 2023), with a view to being self-funded, enabling me to lead my own research project and establish my own team. In those calls, I was assessed as being in the top 10% of the unsuccessful proposals, which reflects the high quality of my proposals.
16. TERN Surveillance - Ecosystem Research Infrastructure. Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). Australia. Postdoctoral researcher
15. “Climate and habitat condition controls on orchid populations – research outcomes associated with a citizen science program”. Australian Orchid Foundation Research Grant (2019-2021). Australia. Postdoctoral researcher
14. “Scientific knowledge to advance towards the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals: a needed translational ecology” REMEDINAL TE (Ref. TE-CM. S2018/EMT-4338, 2019-2023-Comunidad de Madrid). The Community of Madrid for R&D Research Groups, Spain (2019-2023-Comunidad de Madrid) . Spain. Associate Investigator - Postdoctoral researcher
13. “Understanding the Mediterranean forest: sustainability in global change scenarios (COMEDIAS)”. Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (CGL2017-83170-R) (2018-2022). Spain. Associate Investigator - Postdoctoral researcher
12. “Unlocking the potential of spontaneous forest establishment to improve ecosystem services and functions in dynamic landscapes.” (20163M503) (2016-2019). Spain. Associate Investigator - Postdoctoral researcher
11. “Unraveling the potential of spontaneous forest establishment for improving ecosystem functions and services in dynamic landscapes (SPONFOREST)” BiodivERsA COFUND (BiodivERsA3-2015-58). European Grant. (2016-2019). Associate Investigator - Postdoctoral researcher
10. “Remedinal3-CM. Restauración y conservación de los ecosistemas mediterráneos: Respuesta frente al cambio global”. Programa de la Comunidad de Madrid de I+D Grupos de Investigación, Ref. S2013/MAE-2719. (2014-2018). Spain. Postdoctoral researcher
9. “Adaptive potential in Dodonaea viscosa as a model for plant climate change adaptation”. Thomas Davies Research Fund. (2016-2017). Australia. Collaborator - postdoctoral researcher
8. “TREND. Transect for Environmental Monitoring and Decision Making”. South Australian Premier’s Science and Research Fund. Australia. Collaborator - postdoctoral researcher
7. Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. Competitive PhD grant (Formación de Personal Universitario –FPU. The most prestigious PhD grant in Spain). Research and lecturer personnel training phase. CIA – Sole. $53,677 (32,844 €)
6. “Transcontinental naturalization of herbaceous species in Mediterranean grasslands of Spain and Chile”. Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Proyecto CGL2009-08718). (2010-2013). Spain. Associate investigator - PhD student
5. Government of Aragon. Fellowship for outstanding researchers to benefit from accommodation and diets at the prestigious “Residencia de Estudiantes” in Madrid, where most well-known scientists, poets, and artists of the history of Spain lived. 1 year. Sole. $39,219 (24,000 €)
4. Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. Competitive PhD grant (Formación de Personal Universitario –FPU. The most prestigious PhD grant in Spain). Research personnel training phase. CIA – Sole. $44,793 (27,408 €)
3. “Cultivating Health” FIDA–UNOPS, PLAMSUR Program. (2007-2008). Argentina. Collaborator - Undergraduate student
2. “Women and food: implementation of community-managed agroecological food microcredits". Development Cooperation Project (2004-2005). Spain and Argentina. Collaborator - Undergraduate student
1. “Meiosis in angiosperms: chromosomes, genes and proteins”. Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (MCYT BFU2005-02431). (2006-2009). Spain. Collaborator - Undergraduate student
TEACHING OVERVIEW
I have taught many blocks across different courses related to Ecology at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain; accounting for 210 hours from 2012 to 2017. In 2019, I obtained a competitive position as an Associate Professor at the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain. Since the beginning of 2024, I have lectured in the Botany II course at the University of Adelaide. In this new role, I deliver lectures focused on plant ecophysiology during the first semester, design the content and material for the block of teaching I oversee, and set and mark assessments and test questions. I have responsibility for the practicals, which take place over 8 sessions of 3 hours duration each (24 hours of practicals).
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2024 - 2025 - Lecturer of plant ecophysiology block in the Botany II course at the University of Adelaide
September 2019 - Awarded the position 20190621-240 as an Associated professor at the Autonomous University of Madrid.
Assistant Lecturer. Blocks of teaching in different courses at the Complutense University of Madrid:
(2016-2017)
-Ecology (8 hours)
-Ecological Impact Assessment (8 hours)
-Sustainable management of the environment (8 hours)
(2013-2014)
-Ecology (30 hours)
-Ecology of the natural resources (5 hours)
-Final Degree project management (23 hours).
(2012-2013)
-Ecology of the natural resources (15 hours)
-Experimental Biology of organisms and systems (12 hours)
-Applied Experimental Biology (5 hours)
-Physical planning and environmental impact assessment (8 hours)
-Ecosystems Conservation (20 hours).
(2011-2012)
-Ecology of the natural resources (30 hours).
Teaching Awards:
(2016-2017) Innovation-Teaching Award. Project: Internationalization of educational resources of the subject of Ecology and adaptation to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Complutense University of Madrid, Spain.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I aspire to engage my students in a way that motivates them to think critically, to interact dynamically, and work as a team while learning in a fun way. I am highly committed to share the best of my knowledge with positivism with the future generation, as our students today are the real hope of tomorrow’s society. Thus, I teach with passion and joy every lecture and content, including open discussions and benefiting from interactive tools like kahoot. I have an open-door policy, I incorporate feedback to keep improving myself, and I am always supportive of the students’ needs. I think caring about the students makes a difference in the way one teaches. As such, I have undertaken the mental health first aid training to be better equipped to support my students with any situation that could be affecting their motivation and performance.
CURRICULUM DESIGN & DELIVERY
Despite having held grant-funded research-only positions for the duration of my career after achieving my PhD, I have had the opportunity to lecture for many different Ecology-related courses at the Complutense University of Madrid from 2012-2017. Currently, I am a lecturer for the Plant Physiology section of Botany II at the University of Adelaide. In this role, I deliver 8 lectures per year, and I am in charge of delivering four 3-hours practicals to two groups (around 70 students per group), adding a total of 30h. For this block of teaching, I have designed the whole content of the Plant Physiology section, I have designed the quizzes associated with each practical session, and I have set and assess the mid-term test. For the curriculum design, I use scaffolding of content, making sure that there is a continuous flow among the topics explained in class. I believe in learning-by-doing; thus, I use daily life examples and objects for my students to visualise concepts in a practical way. Even though I have not gotten my SELT evaluations yet, I have already received emails from my students, thanking me for how much they have learnt and how engaging my classes were. I have really enjoyed the rewarding experience of lecturing and assessing second year students and look forward to continuing fulfilling this role in the future.
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Co-Supervisor | Acacia invasion network project | Macquarie University | - | Doctorate | - | Berea Rodríguez Addesso |
| 2025 - ongoing | Principal Supervisor | Plot size assessment for TERN AusPlots | The University of Adelaide | - | Postdoctorate | - | Vihanga Goluwa Makkala Gunadasa |
| 2025 - 2025 | Co-Supervisor | eDNA and functional ecology to detect restoration success in swamplands | The University of Adelaide | - | Honours | - | Madison Taylor Hogben |
| 2024 - ongoing | Co-Supervisor | Assessing the distribution, associated soil microbial communities, and perceived values of invasive buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris in Australia. | Flinders University | - | Doctorate | - | Sofie Costin |
| 2023 - 2024 | Principal Supervisor | Eucalyptus' stomatal density and its relationship with climatic trends | The University of Adelaide | Internship program from Agricultural Sciences | Honours | - | Kwo Man Yuen |
| 2023 - 2024 | Principal Supervisor | Eucalyptus' stomatal density and its relationship with climatic trends | The University of Adelaide | Internship program of Agricultural Sciences | Honours | - | Sumaya Rumman |
| 2022 - 2023 | Principal Supervisor | Eucalyptus cuticle traits and relationship with climatic trends | The University of Adelaide | Internship program from Agricultural Sciences | Honours | - | Chutiya Panjapiyakul |
| 2022 - 2022 | Co-Supervisor | Functional diversity and redundancy | The University of Adelaide | - | Honours | Full Time | Rhys Vincent Morgan |
| 2019 - 2020 | Co-Supervisor | Alien plant species influence on plant community assembly | Complutense University of Madrid | - | Honours | - | Laura del Rio-Hortega |
| 2018 - 2019 | Principal Supervisor | Carbon storage in Juniperus thurifera forest associated with passive restoration and its importance in climate change mitigation | Spanish National Research Council | - | Master | Full Time | Eduardo Serna Arenas |
| 2018 - 2019 | Principal Supervisor | Water Use Efficiency on Junierus thurifera expanding forests | Spanish National Research Council | - | Master | Full Time | Belén Acuña Miguez |
| 2018 - 2019 | Co-Supervisor | Spatial distribution on Juniperus thurifera recruitment and regrowth | Spanish National Research Council | Master in Ecological Restoration | Master | Full Time | Pablo Alvarez Garcia |
| 2017 - 2018 | Principal Supervisor | Restoration Ecology | Spanish National Research Council | - | Master | Full Time | Miguel Díaz Carro |
| 2016 - 2017 | Co-Supervisor | Phenotypic differentiation in native and exotic populations of Hypochaeris glabra | Complutense University of Madrid | - | Honours | - | Maria Bello Font |
| Date | Topic | Location | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Mentoring in academia and how to balance personal/work life | University of Tasmania | Alice Robbins |
| 2025 - ongoing | WiSAN Mentoring Program | WiSAN Mentoring Program Committee | Rafia Islam Rimmi |
| 2025 - ongoing | Language Accessibility ICCB2025 | Inernational Congress for Conservation Biology | Margaux Rojat |
| 2024 - 2025 | Ecology career - Mentoring program | Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) Mentoring Program | Inna Osmolovsky |
| 2017 - 2019 | Active engagement: from science to society | Spanish National Research Council | Miguel Diaz Carro |
| 2017 - 2019 | Plant Ecology. Starting in academia. How to write a paper. Career organisation | Spanish National Research Council | Belén Acuña Miguez |
| 2017 - 2018 | Restoration Ecology and future career prospection | Spanish National Research Council | Eduardo Serna Arenas |
| 2017 - 2018 | Restoration Ecology | Spanish National Research Council | Pablo Álvarez García |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Member | Weed Management Society of South Australia | Australia |
| 2022 - ongoing | Member | Ecological Society of Australia | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Member | Iberian Ecological Society | Spain |
| 2017 - ongoing | Member | Spanish Terrestrial Ecology Association | Spain |
| 2016 - 2016 | Member | Ecological Society of America | United States |
| 2016 - 2016 | Member | British Ecological Society | United Kingdom |
| Date | Title | Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Grant Evaluation | Grant Assessment | Austrian Science Fund (FWF) | Austria |
| 2022 - ongoing | Guest Editor | Editorial | MDPI Sustainability | - |
| 2020 - ongoing | Guest Editor | Editorial | Journal of Applied Ecology | - |
| 2019 - ongoing | Grant Evaluation | Grant Assessment | Argentinian National Agency of Scientific and Technological Promotion | Argentina |
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