College of Science & Engineering

Jodie Rummer

Jodie Rummer

Simon Ingham

Simon Ingham

Phurpa Wangchuk

Phurpa Wangchuk

Sue Medlen

Sue Medlen

Bruce Gummow

Bruce Gummow

Jan Huizenga

Jan Huizenga

Phong Tan Nguyen

Phong Tan Nguyen

Alex Cheesman

Alex Cheesman

Mohammad Jahanbakht

Mohammad Jahanbakht

Severine Navarro

Severine Navarro

Improving the extraction process for QCIDE ™ oil (Old ID 26192)
Yinghe He
25 Sep 2018 - 28 Feb 2019
This project involves data-logging to quantify process variables, and taking samples of hydrosol to determine the state of steam-biomass contact to determine oil yield and areas for process improvement.
Machine-learning based monitoring system for cyanobacterial blooms in tropical freshwater reservoirs
Bronson Philippa
20 Apr 2026 - 22 Oct 2029
This project calls for the development of machine learning methods for the surveillance and monitoring of cyanobacteria in tropical reservoirs. The project will integrate data from multiple length scales (e.g. point samples, optical sensors at fixed locations, colour and/or multispectral imagery from remotely piloted aircraft, and satellite-based remote sensing). There is the opportunity to develop innovative ML methods and combine applied research (to develop useful industrial applications) and fundamental research (to create new ML algorithms and incorporate innovative approaches to handle, for instance, sparsely labelled data, multiple input modalities, etc). There is also the opportunity to develop new optical or electrical sensors for in-situ measurements.
Machine-learning based monitoring system for cyanobacterial blooms in tropical freshwater reservoirs
Mahmood Sadat Noori
20 Apr 2026 - 22 Oct 2029
This project calls for the development of machine learning methods for the surveillance and monitoring of cyanobacteria in tropical reservoirs. The project will integrate data from multiple length scales (e.g. point samples, optical sensors at fixed locations, colour and/or multispectral imagery from remotely piloted aircraft, and satellite-based remote sensing). There is the opportunity to develop innovative ML methods and combine applied research (to develop useful industrial applications) and fundamental research (to create new ML algorithms and incorporate innovative approaches to handle, for instance, sparsely labelled data, multiple input modalities, etc). There is also the opportunity to develop new optical or electrical sensors for in-situ measurements.
Incorporating cyanobacteria into black solider fly waste diets as an effective bloom biomass cleanup strategy.
Leo Nankervis
20 Apr 2026 - 30 Nov 2026
This research will provide insights into the feasibility of using Townsville City Council cyanobacterial waste as a sustainable Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) feedstock, with potential benefits including waste valorization, improved sustainability and the future development of scalable solutions for commercial feed applications.
Modelling Catchment Hydrology and Nutrient Fluxes to Forecast Cyanobacterial Blooms in In Ross River Reservoir
Bronson Philippa
20 Apr 2026 - 22 Oct 2029
The project focuses on developing an integrated modelling framework for forecasting cyanobacterial blooms in tropical reservoirs. It combines surface water modelling (SWAT or similar) with groundwater modelling (MODFLOW or similar) to capture the coupled dynamics of catchment hydrology, nutrient transport, and reservoir inflows. These physical models are further integrated with remote sensing datasets and machine learning approaches (e.g., Random Forest, GNN, LSTM) to identify bloom drivers and improve prediction. Additionally, sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) climate forecasts are incorporated to extend predictive lead times, enabling an early warning system for effective reservoir and water quality management.
Modelling Catchment Hydrology and Nutrient Fluxes to Forecast Cyanobacterial Blooms in In Ross River Reservoir
Mahmood Sadat Noori
20 Apr 2026 - 22 Oct 2029
The project focuses on developing an integrated modelling framework for forecasting cyanobacterial blooms in tropical reservoirs. It combines surface water modelling (SWAT or similar) with groundwater modelling (MODFLOW or similar) to capture the coupled dynamics of catchment hydrology, nutrient transport, and reservoir inflows. These physical models are further integrated with remote sensing datasets and machine learning approaches (e.g., Random Forest, GNN, LSTM) to identify bloom drivers and improve prediction. Additionally, sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) climate forecasts are incorporated to extend predictive lead times, enabling an early warning system for effective reservoir and water quality management.
Addressing key technical bottlenecks in the grouper supply chain in Vietnam (and Australia) through manufactured feed and hatchery developments that aim to improve SME sector profitability
Simon Das
01 Jun 2024 - 01 Dec 2027
Research Fellow
Circular economy and feed management approaches for inclusive and sustainable development of marine aquaculture in Vietnam
Simon Das
01 Jan 2024 - 31 Mar 2027
Research Fellow
Advancing the Buchanan Dome Critical Minerals Project through advanced geological and metallurgical studies
Ioan Sanislav
01 May 2026 - 30 Jun 2028
This project is a Critical Minerals Trailblazer-supported collaboration between James Cook University and Strategic Metals Australia to advance Queensland's first major lithium-bearing pegmatite system, the Buchanan Dome Critical Minerals Project, toward commercial feasibility. The project will deliver the geological, mineralogical, and metallurgical knowledge required to de-risk the resource and define viable lithium extraction pathways, with the aim of integrating the project into a Queensland battery minerals supply chain. Key activities include structural mapping, lithium deportment studies, beneficiation testing, and battery-grade graphite production.
Advancing the Buchanan Dome Critical Minerals Project through advanced geological and metallurgical studies
Youseph Ibrahim
01 May 2026 - 30 Jun 2028
This project is a Critical Minerals Trailblazer-supported collaboration between James Cook University and Strategic Metals Australia to advance Queensland's first major lithium-bearing pegmatite system, the Buchanan Dome Critical Minerals Project, toward commercial feasibility. The project will deliver the geological, mineralogical, and metallurgical knowledge required to de-risk the resource and define viable lithium extraction pathways, with the aim of integrating the project into a Queensland battery minerals supply chain. Key activities include structural mapping, lithium deportment studies, beneficiation testing, and battery-grade graphite production.
Title: JCU reef scientist goes global after plumbing the depths, Townsville Bulletin
Reseracher: Gemma Galbraith (AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Reef Connectivity)
Start Date: 10 Nov 2024
Title: Deep dive: How I use robots to survey coral reefs, Nature
Reseracher: Gemma Galbraith (AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Reef Connectivity)
Start Date: 31 Mar 2025
Title: Bengali
Reseracher: Khandakar Faisal Ibn Murad (Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering and Related Technologies))
Title: English
Reseracher: Khandakar Faisal Ibn Murad (Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering and Related Technologies))
Title: Wet Tropics Management Authority - Scientific Advisory Committee
Reseracher: Nathan Waltham (Associate Professor, Blue Carbon)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
Title: Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF), Australia
Reseracher: Simon Das (Research Fellow - Grouper Nutrition)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2027
Title: ARC Future Fellow ($680,000), Global Change: Rainforest responses to experimental drought
Reseracher: Susan Laurance (Professor, Personal Chair)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2014
Title: American Society of Naturalists
Reseracher: Megan Higgie (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2003
Title: PhD, James Cook University
Reseracher: Alana Grech (Professor)
End Date: 01 Jan 2010
Title: Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours), The University of Adelaide
Reseracher: Alana Grech (Professor)
End Date: 01 Jan 2003