College of Science & Engineering
Sophia Love
- Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)
- sophie.love@my.jcu.edu.au
Elle Robertson
- Doctor of Philosophy (Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies)
- elle.robertson@jcu.edu.au
Romain Vaucher
- Senior Lecturer, Sedimentology
- romain.vaucher@jcu.edu.au
Jenny Fisher
- Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching
- jenny.fisher@jcu.edu.au
Ambili Narayanan
- Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)
- ambili.narayanan@my.jcu.edu.au
Sarfaraz Ali
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- sarfaraz.ali@jcu.edu.au
Mikaeylah Davidson
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- mikaeylah.davidson@jcu.edu.au
Liuxin Chen
- Adjunct Lecturer
- liuxin.chen@jcu.edu.au
Rafael Cabral Carvalho
- Lecturer, Marine Geoscience
- rafael.cabralcarvalho@jcu.edu.au
Tom Lloyd
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Global Ecosystems
- tom.lloyd@jcu.edu.au
Going feral: The colonisation of natural environments by Asian house geckos (Old ID 21725)
Asian house geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) were accidentally introduced to Australia in the 1960s and are now common across the tropics. They commonly establish in towns, leading to the belief that this introduced species is benign. However, surveys conducted in the Townsville region revealed high-density populations of Asian house geckos in natural environments. This is very concerning given that Australia is a global centre of gecko diversity and endemism. My project will investigate the extent of Asian house gecko invasion in natural environments and highlight factors that might contribute to this range expansion.
Implementation of the Crown of Thorn Starfish research strategy: regional strategies (Old ID 23135)
Crown-of-Thorns starfish (COTS) management requires decisions be made about where to invest control effort in order to achieve regional scale objectives, e.g. to modify COTRS spread or to facilitate coral recovery. However, no objective basis for choosing sites exists, beyond their economic importance, meaning that achieving these important goals is largely left to chance. This project will leverage past and current research to develop a decision support framework to assist in prioritizing reefs for control and for assessing alternative strategies by integrating the full range of ecological and management information available. Field and desktop research will also be conducted to fill critical knowledge gaps and to assess the prospects of new control technologies.
Can experimental hookworm infection prevent metabolic disease/Type 2 diabetes? (Old ID 24710)
We will conduct a world-first clinical trial in Cairns testing the safety and efficacy of experimental hookworm infection in women at risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. For this application we will examine how worm infection alters the microbiome, a potental mechanism of how worms control metabolism.
A temperature and humidity analysis of the Golden-shouldered parrot (Psepholus chrsoterygius) nest chambers: implications in a changing climate? (Old ID 27245)
The Golden-shouldered Parrot (Psepholus chrsoterysius) is an endangered species endemic to Cape York, Queensland. This bird has particular significance to the Olkola People, an important totem, called Alwal in language. Bush heritage have been working in partnership with Olkola rangers for the last 5 years to protect and recover this endangered species. Alwal has particular nesting habits; it nests in specific chronical termite mounds constructed by Amitermes scolpulus. The Parrot is very particular in mound choice, only selecting those of certain size and width (170cm height to 70 cm width). This is believed to provide optimum incubation temperatures. Nest success is also thought to be reliant upon a symbiotic relationship with an Australian mallee motth (Trisyntopa scatophaga) which feeds on the parrots droppings and therefore keeps the nest clean, preventing risk of infections. This study eill assess nest chamber and ambient temperatures and humidity across the breeding season of 2021, using Hydrochron humidity and temperature loggers (DS1923), which will be placed inside and outside selected nests. FLIR heat sensing cameras will also be used to take pictures of all active and non active nests and their nearest neighbours. The data will be compared to early nest research carried out by Weaver (1986) who assessed nest temperatures in the 1970s. This study will provide insight into nest chamber thermal changes, and create a more reliable baseline longer term, due to the technnological constrictions when this study was first carried out in the 1970s.
Microanalytical Facility Supporting Resources Development and Manufacturing (Old ID 27524)
The project aims to establish a state-of-the-art electron probe microanalysis facility enabling accurate chemical analysis to be undertaken at the micro-scale. It is expected to provide new knowledge and support applied research on a range of natural, synthetic and processed materials that will deeply impact advancements in the fields of metals processing and recycling, Earth and environmental science, and the development of materials for a healthier society. It will support ARC funded and industry engaged research enhancing the minerals exploration, mining and metallurgical industries and inform sustainable practice. It will also provide the key research infrastructure to enhance Australia’s research leadership in these fields.
JCU Spawning Potential app development (Old ID 27727)
The central biological measure of success for the “Community- Based Sustainable Development in Solomon Island and PNG Coastal Communities” projects are trends in the Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) of key target species. This Project seeks to refine the Spawning Potential Survey (SPS) App (JCU FISH) to include spatial reporting tools that can be utilised by survey participants to monitor spatial and temporal trends in SPR. This project extends from an earlier “proof of concept” project funded by the WWF Ocean Practice where the potential for automatic identification and measurement of target species from a single image was realised.
Monitoring the distribution and abundance of dugongs (and in-water, large marine turtles) within the GBRWHA using a combined aerial observer and imagery approach (Old ID 27811)
This project aims to: (1) to monitor the trends in the abundance and distribution of dugongs within the GBRWHA and (2) contribute to the transition to the use of novel imagery survey technologies to enhance survey methods and accuracy in abundance estimates. The project will be conducted in five main stages which will include: the development of a Traditional Owners engagement strategy and the drafting and submitting regulatory permit applications (stage 1), the development of the survey design and data collection protocols and undertake observer training (stage 2), conduct the dugong observer surveys and imagery experimental work within the GBRWHA (stage 3) and the production of a final report including summary of all survey report findings and advice about the implications of the findings for the conservation and management of dugongs and large marine turtles within the GBRWHA (stage 4).
Investigating the Functional Diversity and Plasticity within the Water and Resource use Traits of Trees Along Elevation Gradients in Tropical Rainforest Communities
I will investigate the functional performance and plasticity within the water and resource use strategy of attitude-specific trees, native and introduced trees with wide range distribution along the elevation gradient in the Tropical Rainforests of Papua New Guinea and Far North Queensland in Australia. I collected data using common garden experiments, experimental plantings, and plots. I expect temperature and edaphic factors to be the major drivers of plants' water and resource use strategy along the elevation gradient. I also expect higher plasticity in the traits of native pioneer trees in contrast to introduced invasive trees and mid to late successional species.
My research will provide information on the functional diversity within altitude-specific trees and identify strategies that enable trees to survive in different altitudes. Exploring the variation and covariation of key traits related to the water and resource use strategy of trees and their plasticity with elevation provides information on the potential acclimation of species to climate change.
Sugar-AI: Smart Sugarcane Health Monitoring and Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD) Detection with Satellite Remote Sensing and Machine Learning (Old ID 30057)
The aim of the Sugar-AI project is to develop a prototype smart software system for sugarcane health monitoring. The prototype will focus on accurately diagnosing Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD), which is considered by most sugarcane pathologists globally to be the most important disease that impacts on sugarcane yields between 5-60%.
Can species interactions cause rapid adaptation? (Old ID 24883)
Under environmental change, the persistence of a species centers on its ability to disperse from or adapt to changing conditions. Dispersal is limited in the Australian Wet Tropics due to restricted environmental space and mountain-top edges, so adaptation is necessary. This includes adaption to the changing conditions (e.g., temperature) and changing species interactions. This project will use experimental evolution in two Australian rainforest Drosophila species to test if novel competition can drive adaptation to warming temperatures and enable coexistence. Results will then be used with field data to create a comprehensive niche model aimed at predicting effects of climate change to a Wet Tropics species.
Organic matter, sodicity and soil structure
- 1998
- Oxford University Press
- Researchers:Paul Nelson
Start Date:
01 Jan 2020
Start Date:
01 Jan 2015
Start Date:
01 Jan 2016
End Date:
01 Jan 2018
Start Date:
01 Jan 2006
End Date:
01 Jan 2006
Start Date:
01 Jan 2000
End Date:
01 Jan 2003