College of Medicine & Dentistry

Semagn Abate

Semagn Abate

Joseph Kamara

Joseph Kamara

Eric Kalo

Eric Kalo

Erin Waters

Erin Waters

Kannan Maharajan

Kannan Maharajan

Fahmida Begum Mina

Fahmida Begum Mina

Lynsey Brown

Lynsey Brown

Ali Isin

Ali Isin

Muideen Olaiya

Muideen Olaiya

Mila Grinblat

Mila Grinblat

A resistance-resilient strategy to prevent device-associated biofilm infections
Yaoqin Hong
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2027
Biofilm infections on catheters, vascular lines, and other implanted or indwelling medical devices are a major clinical problem because they are difficult to treat, often persist despite antibiotic therapy, and commonly require repeat procedures or device removal. These infections increase morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs, and the burden is likely to grow in Australia with an ageing population and rising use of medical devices. Current antibiofilm approaches have had limited success because most target specific bacterial pathways and are often narrow in scope, vulnerable to escape, and difficult to apply across different pathogens and device settings. This project will test a new idea for preventing biofilm infection: instead of targeting a single pathway, it will target the membrane state bacteria need to switch into biofilm growth. Our preliminary work shows that biofilm formation depends on membranes remaining within an optimal fluidity range. When membrane fluidity is pushed outside this range, biofilm development is disrupted. This makes membrane fluidity an attractive target because it is a fundamental physical requirement for biofilm formation rather than a species-specific pathway. We will determine whether this principle can be used against major multidrug-resistant pathogens that commonly cause device-associated infection. We will test whether selected fatty acids and lipid synthesis inhibitors can prevent or reduce biofilm formation across priority pathogens, identify the most effective intervention conditions, and evaluate the most promising approaches in device-relevant infection models. We will also define the membrane features linked to biofilm success or failure, providing a foundation for future intervention design. This project will establish proof-of-concept for a new antibiofilm strategy, identify practical intervention leads, and provide a foundation for reducing chronic device-associated infection in Australia.
Developing culturally appropriate mental health assessment tools for older adults living in the Torres Strait (Old ID 27220)
Sarah Russell
01 Jul 2021 - 31 Aug 2026
The aim of the study is to develop culturally appropriate mental health assessment tools for older adults (e.g. aged 45 and over) living in the Torres Strait. Data from yarning circles with Torres Strait community members and health care staff will be used to identify how mental health disorders are expressed in the Torres Strait. A Delphi process will then be used to identify appropriate tools for assessing these domains of mental ill health for use in older adults in the Torres Strait. These tools will then be piloted to determine acceptability and validated for use in the Torres Strait.
The KidGen National Kidney Genomics Program – improving genomic outcomes for Australian families with genetic kidney disease (Old ID 27287)
Andrew Mallett
01 Jun 2021 - 31 Dec 2026
The KidGen National Kidney Genomic Program is an Australian national and translational genomics program addressing the clinical need to urgently improve identification and diagnosis of novel monogenic rare kidney diseases. Our vision is to improve the diagnostic and clinical outcomes of Australian patients and families affected by genetic kidney disease (GKD) through personalised application of novel genomic approaches at national scale and within a multidisciplinary context. We will materially increase the genetic diagnosis rate in this space towards 70% by 2025 whilst enabling earlier and more efficient genomic diagnosis of rare kidney disorders. World-leading genomic approaches will be utilised to improve connection and capacity, including the application of advanced research and functional genomics to identify and validate novel gene variants in our extensive patient cohort. Through our established national network of multidisciplinary clinics this will inform clinical options and pathways for affected Australian families and accelerate translation and integration of genomics knowledge and technology into kidney clinical practice.
Treatment as Prevention in Correctional Facilities in Southern Africa (TasP Prisons) (Old ID 22496)
Steph Topp
01 Aug 2015 - 31 Dec 2017
Limited data from Southern Africa suggest that concentration of HIV-infected individuals and high-risk sexual behaviours in correctional facilities may be driving HIV transmission in incarcerated populations. Despite the implications of incarceration - related HIV transmission on individual and public health, little evidence exists to guide implementation of HIV prevention strategies in these settings. One such strategy, Treatment as Prevention (TasP), offers promise to: (1) prevent HIV transmission among incarcerated men having sex with men and people who use drugs; and (2) improve inmate health and tuberculosis control. In this project we will implement TasP in three correctional facilities - one in Zambia and two in South Africa - and evaluate TasP implementation as a strategy to coordinate the HIV care continuum and assure appropriate TB assessment among HIV-infected inmates.
Exploring the Long-Term Effects of Probiotic Supplementation in Premature Infants (Old ID 27031)
Donna Rudd
16 Oct 2020 - 22 Jul 2025
Probiotic supplementation is now standard care for pre-term infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); significantly reducing the risk of Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) and mortality. What is not known is the long-term impact of this probiotic treatment on the developing infant gut microbiome. Evidence from a previous study shows positive effects, however, two important questions remain. 1. Microbes from probiotic supplementation appear to colonize the infant gut, cause positive modulation and reduce the incidence of disease, does this effect persist over the first year of life? 2. Should the criteria for probiotic supplementation be expanded to include all infants?
Review of Tokelau's Clinical Health Services and Patient Referrals Sceme (Old ID 26397)
Michelle Redman-MacLaren
05 Dec 2018 - 30 Jun 2020
The Tokelau Government has asked for an independent review of the Tokelau Patient Referrals Scheme (TPRS) and clinical health services. In partnership with the Tokelau Government, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has engaged a Massey University-led team to do the review. Our proposal is distinguished by three features in particular: the team is Pacific-led, the review design is bottom up, participatory and solutions-focussed, and our approach is grounded in a Tokelauan world view of health and wellbeing. This approach will allow for the co-creation of knowledge, will ensure that the review is inclusive of a diversity of views, including marginalised groups, and will enable us to undertake an in-depth review which reflects the social, economic, cultural and spiritual context. Methodological innovations such as use of the Systems Assessment Tool and particpatory co-design workshops will enable us to generate robust findings combining quantitative and qualitative data.
Generation of novel peptide-MHC antibody therapies to combat seasonal and pandemic potential influenza virus (Old ID 28968)
Hillary Vanderven
27 Mar 2023 - 31 Dec 2027
Influenza pandemics have caused significant morbidity and mortality throughout history. The 1918 influenza pandemic resulted in 25-50 million deaths globally. Myrio Therapeutics is a Melbourne-based company leading the development of antibodies directed to peptide-MHC (pMHC) targets. Myrio’s competitive edge is provided by a patented Retained Display (ReD) discovery platform allowing rapid isolation of high affinity human single chain antibodies, which are readily converted into different therapeutic formats. Myrio has identified several first-in-class antibodies against highly conserved influenza virus peptides presented on common human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) for further testing in vitro and in vivo in mice.
Exploring the educational and program impact of strategies to increase high quality GP registrar supervision and training in underserved communities in north-western Queensland (Old ID 25073)
Richard Murray
01 Jul 2018 - 30 Jun 2019
This project builds on the previously funded ACRRM ERG - to develop a general practice workforce that is aligned with population health needs and optimising workforce sustainability and training in rural and remote areas. The first project identified underserved communities where GP registrar training capacity could be better targeted by strategically establishing registrar training posts in underserved communities. New training posts have been established or are in development in the underserved areas identified by the first project. This new project will evaluate these new training posts; measuring the educational impact of training in underserved areas and the impact of training posts on local communities.
Governance and accountability: the experience of Aboriginal Health Workers (Old ID 25066)
Steph Topp
01 Jul 2018 - 31 Dec 2018
This program will form a foundational component of Dr. Topp’s long term vision to develop a JCU-based health systems governance research program focussing on Australia’s remote and rural health workforce. The proposed project encompasses the first empirical study on AHW governance in Australia, leveraging collaborations with key industry stakeholders in the tropical north. Outcomes, both publications and established industry relationships, will form the basis for future competitive grant applications that extend Dr. Topp’s research expertise and presence, including by opening up new opportunities for collaborations with international colleagues working in the health system governance and accountability domain.
Classifying the Type and Severtiy of Traumatic Injury in North Queensland: A Multicentre Retrospective Study (Old ID 26830)
Hayley Letson
01 Oct 2020 - 01 Mar 2023
Queenslanders living in regional, rural and remote areas having a higher incidence of traumatic injury and are disadvantaged by prolonged prehospital times. The aim of this project is to define and describe trauma patients transported by aeromedical emergency services to and between Townsville, Cairns, Mt Isa and Mackay hospitals over a 3 - year period (2016-2018). A key objective is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of clinical interventions and therapies from point-of-injury to hospital admission, and patient outcomes to hospital discharge. This data will help inform all stakeholders on the current state of emergency trauma care in the tropics.

Meta-analysis of peak wall stress in ruptured, symptomatic and intact abdominal aortic aneurysms

Prospective signs of cleidocranial dysplasia in Cebpb deficiency

Chlamydia among Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people attending sexual health services, general practices and Aboriginal community controlled health services

The physical health impacts of tropical cyclones

Simultaneous determination of coenzyme Q and plastoquinone redox states in the coral-Symbiodinium symbiosis during thermally induced bleaching

High rates of lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes end stage renal failure on hemodialysis: is there a causal factor?

  • 2014
  • Researchers:Venkat Vangaveti

Therapeutic effect of curcumin supplementation in the modulation of NF-κB responsive genes in a collagen-induced arthritis rat model

Effect of γ-tocotrienol in counteracting oxidative stress and joint damage in collagen-induced arthritis in rats

Distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Northern Australia, a land of diversity

Greater support for generalism in rural and regional Australia

Title: Men are shaving off their eyelashes on TikTok, here's why that might be a bad idea, The Conversation
Reseracher: Amanda Meyer (Senior Lecturer, Anatomy and Pathology)
Start Date: 14 May 2025
Title: 10 minute radio interview with Renee Krosch about eyelashes and the trend for men to cut the, ABC Sydney and ABC Canberra Radio
Reseracher: Amanda Meyer (Senior Lecturer, Anatomy and Pathology)
Start Date: 15 May 2025
Title: Why do our pupils dilate when we're aroused? Anatomy experts explain, The Conversation
Reseracher: Amanda Meyer (Senior Lecturer, Anatomy and Pathology)
Start Date: 03 Jun 2025
Title: Editorial board Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology
Reseracher: Jonathan Golledge (Distinguished Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2012
Title: PhD, Charles Sturt University
Reseracher: Subir Sarker (Associate Professor, Microbiology)
Title: Master’s in Pathology , Bangladesh Agricultural University
Reseracher: Subir Sarker (Associate Professor, Microbiology)
Title: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine , University of Chittagong
Reseracher: Subir Sarker (Associate Professor, Microbiology)
Title: Grants Review
Reseracher: Abdul-Aziz Seidu (Lecturer, Public Health)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2024
Title: Public Health Advocacy
Reseracher: Abdul-Aziz Seidu (Lecturer, Public Health)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2024
Title: Effects of hot baths on your skin, 2CC Canberra
Reseracher: Amanda Meyer (Senior Lecturer, Anatomy and Pathology)
Start Date: 16 Jun 2025