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

NESP 4.12: Mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events on spectacled flying-foxes
Susan Laurance
01 Apr 2024 - 31 Mar 2027
Spectacled flying-foxes (SFFs) were listed as Endangered in 2019, following an extreme heatwave in 2018 that resulted in the death of approximately one-third of the population. The mass mortality of Australian flying-foxes at roosts during heatwaves has been well documented, with future extreme heat events considered the greatest threat to their survival. This project aims to improve our understanding of the local thermal environments of SFF roosts across their range, which is a critical aspect of their sensitivity to the increasing risks imposed by climate change. By doing so, this project will improve species management through the provision of tools to mitigate the devastating impacts of future extreme heatwaves and advise managers on effective interventions. This project addresses national priorities by providing adaptive solutions to support the recovery of a threatened species and in developing capacity to help reverse the decline in Australia’s natural environment.
Modelling plasma devices on femtosecond to millisecond timescales for compact particle-accelerator applications.
Greg Boyle
01 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme 2023: Short-term exchange of researchers between JCU and DESY, collaborating on plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA) research and development. JCU student to benefit from DESY experimental and simulation expertise as world leaders in PWFA, and DESY postdoc to benefit from JCU expertise on charged-particle transport theory.
Long-term effects of sea-weeding on degraded coral reefs
Hillary Smith
01 Oct 2024 - 30 Sep 2029
Coral reefs around the world are under threat from the combined impacts of climate change and local stressors. Often, when corals die, macroalgae (seaweeds) rapidly take over available space on a reef, with corals struggling to regain dominance once seaweeds are established. My research has shown that a low-tech, simple approach of “sea-weeding” (i.e. removing seaweed by hand) is effective in rapidly rehabilitating degraded, macroalgae-dominated reefs. Over five years, my research program on two degraded reefs of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef saw a >600% increase in coral cover where macroalgae were removed three times annually, while no change was observed in control plots. These spectacular results provide an exciting potential management approach for other seaweed-dominated areas, as sea-weeding can be achieved through collective action via citizen science. However, because reef recovery dynamics operate on decadal time-scales, it is critical to understand the long-term effects of intervention via sea-weeding. In this project, I will extend the timeframe of the established sea-weeding experiment to document the trajectory of reef recovery. Specifically, the project will transition into a "maintenance" phase of weeding once per year (rather than 2-3 times per year in the first 5 years) to establish the efficacy of less frequent intervention. The results will help inform the best-practice application of sea- weeding in reef management strategies.
Wildlife Conservation Society Graduate Scholarship Program
Patrick Smallhorn-West
01 Jun 2024 - 01 Jan 2029
WCS is committed to a strategy that invests in developing the global conservation leaders of tomorrow. As part of that strategy, the Graduate Scholarship Program provides support for graduate education opportunities (masters or doctoral programs) at international institutions of academic excellence for exceptional conservationists from Asia/Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and North American indigenous groups. Scholars will be selected based on their exceptional abilities, their potential to become leaders of the conservation movement in their home country, and the relevance of their proposed study and future work to WCS conservation priorities. This funding is for a candidate to come study a PhD at JCU.
Traditional Owner engagement for the JCU-CSIRO Community-led Biosecurity Initiative
Paul Horwood
06 Jun 2024 - 30 Sep 2025
The objective of this Project is to understand the interests and needs of Traditional Owners and have them engage with the JCU-CSIRO collaboration to develop community-led projects that will aim to reduce biosecurity risks and/or impacts. The Project will undertake steps to identify sustainable ways to reduce biosecurity risks (diseases, plant, and animal pests) in northern Queensland through creating mutually beneficial and sustainable approaches with community that improves livelihoods. The Project intends to enable Traditional Owners to develop research priorities and own and lead research projects with JCU and CSIRO researchers (that are based on these research priorities), which could develop economic opportunities and engage with regional partners to identify and reduce potential biosecurity risks.
Sugar-AI: Smart Sugarcane Health Monitoring and Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD) Detection with Satellite Remote Sensing and Machine Learning (Old ID 30057)
Mostafa Rahimi Azghadi
01 Aug 2024 - 31 Dec 2025
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%.
Addressing key technical bottlenecks in the grouper supply chain in Vietnam and Australia through manufactured feed and hatchery developments that aim to improve sector profitability (Old ID 29011)
Leo Nankervis
01 Jun 2024 - 01 Dec 2027
The project aims to address key bottlenecks in the aquaculture grouper supply chain in Vietnam and Australia through research into nutritional constraints and drivers for commercial feed adoption by the Vietnam grow-out farming sector, as well as factors affecting the supply of high-quality eggs, larvae and juveniles in both Vietnam and Australia. A physiological approach to nutrient requirements and feeds development will be applied to address nutrient-related production bottlenecks for grouper aquaculture. This project will develop commercially implemented feed formulated specifically for grouper, facilitating the further development of the industry in Vietnam and Australia.
Prototype of a Cost Effective Thermal Energy Storage System for Air-conditioning Photovoltaic-Powered Homes
Wenxian Lin
27 May 2024 - 30 Jun 2025
This project addresses the critical issue of intermittency in solar energy generation by proposing an innovative solution that combines energy storage with air conditioning demand to achieve net zero emission in hot but solar energy abundant Northern Queensland with the construction and research of the prototype of a cost effective thermal energy storage system for air-conditioning photovoltaic-powered homes. This prototype could significantly enhance the viability of solar energy as a primary power source for households and building complexes, contributing to the long-term sustainability and resilience of tropical regions in the face of escalating energy requirements and climate change.
SEAPRO - Seaweed Environmental Action for Pollution Reduction and Algae Protein Optimisation
Ludwig Lopata
27 May 2024 - 30 Jun 2025
Aquaculture plays a crucial role in ensuring global food security and fostering future job creation, especially given the rising global demand for seafood and the plateauing of capture fisheries. In Queensland, it significantly contributes to the bioeconomy, playing a pivotal role in food production and economic development. The industry's value in the region has reached $224.7 million, indicating a notable growth of 16.1% from 2021. While the aquaculture industry in Queensland heavily relies on two main species, prawns, and barramundi, which collectively contribute to 95% of the state's production. Currently within aquaculture there is a growing global recognition of another species group: Seaweed. Seaweed is gaining recognition not only as a sustainable food source but also for its remarkable capacity to function as bio-filters, extracting excess nutrients (N & P) from aquatic environments. This makes it a potentially valuable new aquaculture product while also enhancing the environmental sustainability and circularity of aquaculture operations. Integrated aquaculture technology is a key driver of this progress, enabling the coordinated and sustainable cultivation of multiple species. This technology can be integrated into both new and existing commercial operations both on land and at sea, thereby diversifying production within a single cultivation area. By incorporating algal biofilters, this technology efficiently removes excess nutrients and contaminants from farm effluent, transforming them into valuable co-products. This project aims to strategically deploy seaweed aquaculture to eliminate nutrient pollution and simultaneously enhance the growth of the aquaculture and seaweed industry in the tropics. Focusing on Queensland's aquaculture industry, we aim to employ innovative technology developed by Blue Carbon Pty Ltd to convert excess nutrients into high-value food proteins (extracted from algae) developed by James Cook University, crucial for the growing alternative protein sector. Preliminary work will determine which species of seaweed which are culturable within the IMTA systems will be most appropriate for use in the alternative protein sector, and will include both marine (Ulva ohnoi, Cladophora sp., Sargasum sp. Asparagopsis taxiformis, etc.) and freshwater species (Oedogonium sp.). The selected seaweed species will be analysed for the abundance and type of extracted proteins using biochemical process developed by the research team at James Cook University. This proof-of-concept project envisions a harmonious blend of technological innovation and sustainable aquaculture practices to produce sustainable proteins for the growing alternative protein food sector as well as animal feed. The new protein products developed from seaweed will be economically viable and increase the circular product generation of the aquaculture industry, while helping to reduce negative effect on the environment both directly and indirectly. This innovative protein production is highly scalable through the implementation of IMTA technology within aquaculture operations and different types of seaweed can be identified for production in both tropical and tempered water of Australia. The introduction of Australia's Reef Credit Scheme further amplifies the benefits of such technology. Farms implementing integrated aquaculture technology not only contribute to sustainable farming and diversifying products but also standing to gain additional benefits through this innovative credit scheme. Overall, these advancements have the potential to significantly improve the overall sustainability, environmental impact, and circularity of aquaculture operations. This investment promises not only environmental benefits but also positions Queensland as a key player in the evolving landscape of alternative protein production.
Novel governance for marine ecosystems in rapid transition
Sarah Lawless
01 Jan 2023 - 01 Dec 2026
This research program combines the political and climate sciences with ecology and geography to understand and improve the design of complex environmental governance regimes. The team works closely with a range of governments, NGOs and donors on co-creating solutions to environmental governance problems. Interdisciplinary science capacity and competitiveness is underpinned by partnerships with an international expert working group, involving cotutelle PhD supervision and co-appointed postdoctoral fellowships at James Cook University, University of Melbourne, WorldFish, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the University of Tasmania.
Title: Member of the British Ecological Society Grant Review College
Reseracher: Myles Menz (Senior Lecturer, Zoology and Ecology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2016
End Date: 01 Jan 2018
Title: Visiting Research Fellow, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Reseracher: Mohan Jacob (Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2006
End Date: 01 Jan 2006
Title: Postdoctoral Fellow, James Cook University
Reseracher: Mohan Jacob (Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2000
End Date: 01 Jan 2003
Title: Adjunct Professor of the School of Publica Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Reseracher: Ludwig Lopata (Professor, Personal Chair)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2010
Title: Reperio Innovation Award
Reseracher: Elsa Antunes (Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2018
Title: IEEE
Reseracher: Jiajia Yang (Associate Professor, Renewable Energy and Electrical Engineering)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2023
Title: Senior Lecturer, James Cook University
Reseracher: Yang Liu (Associate Professor, Analytical Chemistry)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
End Date: 01 Jan 2024
Title: Lecturer, James Cook University
Reseracher: Yang Liu (Associate Professor, Analytical Chemistry)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2018
End Date: 01 Jan 2021
Title: Chemist and Research Officer, ChemCentre
Reseracher: Yang Liu (Associate Professor, Analytical Chemistry)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2016
End Date: 01 Jan 2018
Title: Research Associate, Curtin University
Reseracher: Yang Liu (Associate Professor, Analytical Chemistry)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2013
End Date: 01 Jan 2016