Zhao Xiang (赵 翔)

Zhao Xiang (赵 翔)

Birder/Conservation Scientist/Software developer

QCIF

I’m a birder, conservation scientist, and software developer working at the intersection of ecology and code. As a Software Developer and R Specialist at QCIF, I build and maintain the EcoCommons Platform, helping researchers run species distribution models and spatial analyses at scale. I earned my MPhil at QUT, where I applied spatial and statistical modelling to biodiversity monitoring in Antarctica. Along the way I’ve tutored GIS and environmental planning, led a panda conservation project in China, and been recognised with the BirdLife International Young Conservation Leaders Award. My work centres on turning ecological questions into reproducible, well-designed tools.

Download my resumé.

Interests
  • Species Distribution Modelling
  • Spatial Statistics and Analysis
  • Conservation Planning
  • Optimal Monitoring
Education
  • Master of Philosophy (Conservation Science), 2024

    Queensland University of Technology

  • Bachelor of Environmental Engineering, 2017

    Dalian University of Technology

Certificates

RYA Powerboat Level 2 – Powerboat Handling
Practical certificate covering powerboat handling, launch and recovery, low- and high-speed manoeuvres, and man-overboard recovery.

Awards & Funding

Finalist – ARDC Eureka Prize for Excellence in Data Platforms

Shortlisted as a finalist for the ARDC Eureka Prize for Excellence in Data Platforms, recognising the EcoCommons Platform among the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes finalists.

Eureka Prize finalist

Watch the finalist video

QUT Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence – Sessional Staff Excellence

Issued by the QUT Vice-Chancellor’s Office · Dec 2024. Associated with QUT (Queensland University of Technology).

Nominated by Dr Catherine Kim, who said: “The EVB203 Geospatial Information Science sessional team (2023, 2024) have been excellent in supporting the needs of students. Dr Catherine Kim modified the unit to include multiple tools to do geospatial analyses including the R programming language, ESRI ArcGIS, and QGIS for real-world relevance. This means that the tutors attend to various questions and troubleshooting. The tutors have also contributed to ’translating’ some of the tutorial content across different tools and Canvas content. The tutorial sessions are very hands-on dealing with technical and unit questions for 6+ hours a week. The tutors were all around helpful which the students appreciated: ‘Very friendly demonstrator that was eager to help students with any issue they might be facing and made a fun learning environment’. The EVB203 tutoring team has been a joy to work with and has made my life as a unit coordinator easier!”

Postgraduates Research Award Scholarship and HDR Tuition Fee Sponsorship
USD 1,475 (2,000 AUD), Travel Grant
This grant was offered to Zhao to attend the 29th International Congress for Conservation Biology in Kuala Lumpur
£10,000 (17,570 AUD)
Academic Visiting
Zhao got sponsored by Dalian University of Technology and The University of Kitakyushu to visit Japan for a week.
RMB 10,000 (2,000 AUD)

Talks, Workshops, and Community Services

Understanding Species Distribution Modelling for Conservation and Ecological Research
Understanding Species Distribution Modelling for Conservation and Ecological Research
Panda, Koala, Penguin
The power of cuteness and beyond.
Panda, Koala, Penguin
Area protection and management in terrestrial Antarctica
Area protection and management in terrestrial Antarctica

Photography

Selected wildlife photography

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