Dr. Christine Cornish

FORMER MEMBER

POSTDOCTORAL NETWORK  |   Global Change Center

Postdoctoral Associate

Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Austin Gray

Biological Sciences

christine.cornish@ku.edu 

Google Scholar  •  Personal Website •  Bluesky

In 2025, Dr. Cornish took a position with the Kansas Biological Survey as an Associate Researcher.

Christine joined Dr. Austin Gray's lab in the Biological Sciences department at Virginia Tech in August 2024. She completed her PhD at North Dakota State University and MSc at Missouri State University, where her research focused on the effects of herbicides on wetland ecosystems. Broadly, Christine's research investigates aquatic microbial community structure and function in response to anthropogenic stressors using an interdisciplinary approach with a combination of laboratory experiments and field surveys. At Virginia Tech, Christine applies these techniques to explore how microplastics affect microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling.

Christine loves all things outdoors and enjoys regular hikes in the mountains. She is also a part-time van lifer with her husband and dog. Their DIY van build, NaNa, takes them exploring around the U.S. and is their favorite home away from home!

Last updated August 2025.