College of Science & Engineering

Sophia Love

Sophia Love

Romain Vaucher

Romain Vaucher

Jenny Fisher

Jenny Fisher

Ambili Narayanan

Ambili Narayanan

Sarfaraz Ali

Sarfaraz Ali

Mikaeylah Davidson

Mikaeylah Davidson

Liuxin Chen

Liuxin Chen

Rafael Cabral Carvalho

Rafael Cabral Carvalho

Tom Lloyd

Tom Lloyd

Mohamadreza Chalak Qazani

Mohamadreza Chalak Qazani

Population connectivity in the Kuranda Tree frog (Litoria myola) (Old ID 22198)
Megan Higgie
01 Aug 2015 - 31 Jul 2016
The critically endangered Kuranda Tree frog (Litoria myola) occurs only in a small distribution near Kuranda. This population is divided into 13 known breeding sites (subpopulations). Connectivity between these subpopulations is not known; therefore I will use genetic analysis to gain insight into both historical and current connectivity. Knowledge of population connectivity is of great importance for management, as it will help focus conservation efforts. This study will provide information on genetic distinctness of subpopulations, potential for natural recolonization if subpopulations decline or disappear, and where individuals should be sourced from if managers wanted to reintroduce the species to a site.
Fire and Environmental Change in Northern Australia during the Late Holocene (Old ID 23372)
Michael Bird
01 Jul 2017 - 30 Jun 2019
This project addresses the lack of palaeoenvironmental and palaeofire records available for northern Australia. I will analyse both micro-(<125µm) and macroscopic (>125µm) charcoal from sediment cores collected from lacustrine sites in Cape York and Arnhem Land. I will also analyse modern charcoal collected in fire traps placed during fieldwork to create a modern analogue. Collaboration with AINSE/ANSTO will result in a high-resolution chronology for each site, with implications for the wider region.
Precision medicine for North Queensland Liver Cancer Patients. (Old ID 27477)
Matt Field
01 Jan 2022 - 28 Feb 2025
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive and poorly treated liver cancer that is rapidly increasing in incidence in North Queensland. Most patients are ineligible to have their cancer surgically removed, and new systemic therapeutics only extend patient lives by six to eight months. Thus, new treatment approaches are urgently required. Through the collaboration of surgeons, scientists and bioinformaticians we are developing Precision Medicine for North Queensland Liver Cancer Patients. Using bioinformatics and three dimensional culture models we will trial novel therapeutic approaches. This research will rapidly lead to new therapeutic approaches to treat HCC.
Fluorescent fur remote camera field experiment (Old ID 27576)
Tasmin Rymer
20 Mar 2022 - 20 Mar 2023
Aims: To determine if fur fluorescence can be excited by natural light and detected by nocturnal vertebrates. Outcomes: If wild animals interact consistently more often with one fur type during full moons, it will change the way we think about how nocturnal animals use light. If animals cannot detect fluorescence, the outcome will negate the need for further testing of a visual function. Significance: Using real fluorescent fur pelts in natural lighting is a world-first in discovering if nocturnal vertebrates use fluorescence as a visual cue. The result will determine if fluorescence becomes visible in different terrestrial lighting conditions
Conservation genomics of the Critically endangered Kuranda Treefrog (Old ID 28987)
Conrad Hoskin
01 May 2023 - 31 May 2023
This project aims to assess the conservation status of the Critically Endangered Kuranda Treefrog using a population genomics approach. The last sampling for this declining and localised species took place more than 10 years ago, and continuing declines have been detected in the field. It is unclear whether the population is retaining genetic diversity despite the small and declining population size or whether it is rapidly losing genetic diversity. Resolving this will be crucial for the management of this species. In this project I aim to assess genetic diversity, connectivity and population size of this Critically Endangered species using population genomics.
Conservation genomics of the Critically endangered Kuranda Treefrog (Old ID 28987)
Megan Higgie
01 May 2023 - 31 May 2023
This project aims to assess the conservation status of the Critically Endangered Kuranda Treefrog using a population genomics approach. The last sampling for this declining and localised species took place more than 10 years ago, and continuing declines have been detected in the field. It is unclear whether the population is retaining genetic diversity despite the small and declining population size or whether it is rapidly losing genetic diversity. Resolving this will be crucial for the management of this species. In this project I aim to assess genetic diversity, connectivity and population size of this Critically Endangered species using population genomics.
Evolution, ecology, and genomics of a recent speciation event in a rainforest frog (Old ID 22201)
Conrad Hoskin
01 Sep 2015 - 31 Aug 2016
The Kuranda Treefrog (Litoria myola) is a critically endangered species restricted to rainforest in the Kuranda area. To conserve the Kuranda Treefrog we need to understand its evolutionary past and the key ecological factors that will determine its future. The Kuranda Treefrog is the most recent speciation event demonstrated in the Wet Tropics (occurred ~6,000 years ago) and one of the most recent globally. This project is a mix of pure and applied research that aims to resolve the origin and future of Kuranda Treefrog using detailed genetic analyses and ecological niche modelling.
Evolution, ecology, and genomics of a recent speciation event in a rainforest frog (Old ID 22201)
Megan Higgie
01 Sep 2015 - 31 Aug 2016
The Kuranda Treefrog (Litoria myola) is a critically endangered species restricted to rainforest in the Kuranda area. To conserve the Kuranda Treefrog we need to understand its evolutionary past and the key ecological factors that will determine its future. The Kuranda Treefrog is the most recent speciation event demonstrated in the Wet Tropics (occurred ~6,000 years ago) and one of the most recent globally. This project is a mix of pure and applied research that aims to resolve the origin and future of Kuranda Treefrog using detailed genetic analyses and ecological niche modelling.
Plasma polymers from natural extracts for wound healing applications (Old ID 27080)
Mohan Jacob
12 Jan 2021 - 30 Jun 2024
Radio Frequency Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (RF-PECVD) will be used to fabricate thin films from natural extracts and study their wound healing properties. RF-PECVD is a promising strategy to incorporate the developed thin films from volatile natural extracs, and thereby find applications in wound dressings. Wound healing will be enhanced by the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the promotion of cell proliferation. This research also addresses optimising the wound healing properties of the thin films and conditions at which the desirable properties can be preserved/enhanced, so it could be effectively modified in order to fit specific wounds.
Can parental care behaviour and breeding microhabitat protect Critically Endangered nursery frogs from rising temperatures on Wet Tropics mountaintops? (Old ID 28956)
Conrad Hoskin
01 Apr 2023 - 01 Aug 2024
Nursery frogs are terrestrial breeders with ‘direct development’ and the male stays with the eggs until hatching. While climate change is their biggest threat and their breeding biology of is very poorly known. I will study parental care across Nursery frog species, under varied environmental conditions in the field (low elevation, upland areas, heatwaves, drought) to uncover the details of nest choice and parental care. I will use non-invasive cameras, artificial shelters, and data loggers in natural nesting sites to determine how variation in parental behaviour impacts larval survival and differs between species and microhabitats under different climatic conditions.
Title: Bachelor of Information Technology, The University of Newcastle
Reseracher: Euijoon Ahn (Senior Lecturer, Information Technology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2007
End Date: 01 Jan 2010
Title: Lecturer, The School for Field Studies
Reseracher: Amy Diedrich (Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2012
End Date: 01 Jan 2012
Title: Lead Researcher, Division of Strategic Issues and Applications for Society, Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System
Reseracher: Amy Diedrich (Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2009
End Date: 01 Jan 2012
Title: Postdoctoral Researcher, Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies
Reseracher: Amy Diedrich (Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2006
End Date: 01 Jan 2008
Title: Bachelor of Information Technology, James Cook University
Reseracher: Thomas Napier (Doctor of Philosophy (Information Technology))
Start Date: 01 Jan 2017
End Date: 01 Jan 2020
Title: Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours), James Cook University
Reseracher: Thomas Napier (Doctor of Philosophy (Information Technology))
Start Date: 01 Jan 2020
End Date: 01 Jan 2021
Title: Scientific Advisor - Sementis BioTechnology
Reseracher: Ludwig Lopata (Professor, Personal Chair)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2022
Title: Program Assistant, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO
Reseracher: Amy Diedrich (Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2001
End Date: 01 Jan 2002
Title: Associate Editor - Frontier Allergy_Environmental and Occupational Determinants
Reseracher: Ludwig Lopata (Professor, Personal Chair)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
Title: Editorial Board---Proteomes (MDPI)
Reseracher: Ludwig Lopata (Professor, Personal Chair)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021