Melissa Pineda Pinto

Melbourne

I am a McKenzie Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Melbourne Centre for Cities, University of Melbourne. As an emerging leader in the fields of nature-based solutions, novel ecosystems and biodiversity, my research integrates multispecies justice and systems thinking to examine the complexities of our urban environments. My work is characterised by a commitment to just transitions, multispecies planning/design, and inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration. Previously, I was a European Research Council-funded research fellow at Trinity College Dublin on the NovelEco project, focusing on forecasting and co-design methodologies to examine urban novel ecologies. My PhD explored the integration of nature-based solutions and ecological justice. I bring a unique perspective as a woman in STEM research and practice with strong Global South connections, further enriched by prior architectural and planning experience in industry and the not-for-profit sectors, where I developed skills in design, project management, and stakeholder engagement.