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

Resolving the genetics of adaptation and speciation (Old ID 22899)
Megan Higgie
01 Sep 2016 - 31 Dec 2017
The project will greatly assist my career development by increasing my skills and impact in genomic research. Genomic data is currently produced in a process (via next generation sequencing) that results in unordered markers. However the majority can only be resolved with ordered markers (i.e. genes arranged along chromosomes). This project will provide a way to determine the genetic structure that underlies SNPs and other types of genomic data for non-model organisms in order to product ordered markers.
The Development of Procedures for Quantifying Prawn Allergens (Old ID 23528)
Ludwig Lopata
13 Mar 2017 - 31 Dec 2017
There is an increasing prevalence of food allergies world-wide with shellfish being one of the main food groups that provoke serious IgE-mediated adverse reactions. Shellfish allergy affects up to 2% of the world population, with higher prevalence seen in areas with high seafood consumption. Because of the high incidence of allergic reactions to prawns, the study focuses on this highly consumed shellfish species. The major allergenic proteins from prawns will be purified and monoclonal antibodies will be developed against them. These antibodies will be used to establish a sensitive and reproducible ELISA based quantification method for the prawn allergens.
Mitigation of Losses in Qld from Extreme Wind Events (Old ID 24934)
John Ginger
01 Jul 2017 - 30 Jun 2018
The objective of the project is to investigate and inform on aspects of building doles/standards and implementation to mitigate losses from extreme win events including Cyclones.
Understanding the ecological significance of fisheries-dolphin interactions along the Sindhudurg coast in Maharashtra, India. (Old ID 26602)
Helene Marsh
01 Sep 2020 - 22 Jan 2023
I aim to study the ecological significance of interactions between coastal fisheries and Indian Ocean humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) along the Sindhudurg coast of Maharashtra, India. I will use a multi-methods approach to record dolphin foraging behaviour and fisher perceptions towards their operational interactions with dolphins. This study will provide key insights on dolphin foraging strategies, space-use and the impact of dolphin interactions on the socio-economics of coastal fisheries to inform a holistic and inclusive conservation management strategy for S. plumbea. This project will be the first in India, to understand how dolphins survive and adapt to a fishery-dominated landscape.
Monitoring of avian influenza in samples collected from aquatic birds in North Queensland (Old ID 26870)
Paul Horwood
11 May 2020 - 29 Jan 2021
At least 576 fresh faecal samples from wild ducks and magpie geese will be collected as environmental samples in the Townsville region. Swabs in transport media and immediately transported to the laboratory. Samples will be pooled and nucleic acid extracted. The extracted nucleic acid will be screened using assays based on TaqMan that will detect avian influenza. Pools that react will be individually extracted and tested. Avian influenza isolates will be checked using TaqMan specific for H5 and H7. Should the samples react in these assays it will be sent to AAHL for further testing and the CVO will be notified. Sequencing on all isolates other than those reacting in H5 and H7 will be carried out to determine genotype and to confirm pathotype.
Ecological Impact of Antibiotic Resistance Released from the Cleveland Bay Purification Plant using Marine Turtle Species (Old ID 26730)
Robert Kinobe
31 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2025
Cleveland Bay is a grazing ground for turtle species. Cleveland Bay Purification plant (CBPP) treats waste that may contain a variety of antibiotics. This study aims to determine the prevalence and distribution patterns of antibiotic resistant genes in the CBPP effluent and in the immediate receiving environment. Marine turtles in Cleveland Bay will be used to determine the localized impacts of both antibiotics and antibiotic resistant genes as compared to resident turtles from a pristine environment. This study will provide valuable insight into the direct effect that antibiotics and ARG’s in WWTP effluent have on ecological health and ecological risk.
Investigating the pitfalls of bee hotels (Old ID 30046)
Peter Yeeles
01 Jul 2023 - 31 Dec 2026
Concern for bees among the public has led to the augmentation of habitat for bees including the addition of bee hotels. Bee hotels are often claimed to increase bee diversity and abundance. However, they artificially aggregate nesting sites above densities naturally available for bees, which could lead to increased prevalence of pathogens, viruses and parasitism, and higher predation rates. Properly controlled experiments to investigate these threats are limited, and none have been conducted in the tropics. This project investigates whether the density of nesting spaces in bee hotels affects predation rates and pathogen and parasite prevalence in cavity nesting bees.
Investigating the pitfalls of bee hotels (Old ID 30046)
Lori Lach
01 Jul 2023 - 31 Dec 2026
Concern for bees among the public has led to the augmentation of habitat for bees including the addition of bee hotels. Bee hotels are often claimed to increase bee diversity and abundance. However, they artificially aggregate nesting sites above densities naturally available for bees, which could lead to increased prevalence of pathogens, viruses and parasitism, and higher predation rates. Properly controlled experiments to investigate these threats are limited, and none have been conducted in the tropics. This project investigates whether the density of nesting spaces in bee hotels affects predation rates and pathogen and parasite prevalence in cavity nesting bees.
Geological characteristics, genesis and ore controlling factors of the Tick Hill Au deposit, Dajarra District, NW Queensland, Australia (Old ID 24727)
Ioan Sanislav
27 Nov 2017 - 31 Jan 2021
The project aims to: 1. investigate and document the geological and geochemical features of the Tick Hill gold deposit, including understanding the structural evolution lmagmaticl history, alteration style andl mineralisation; 2. classify the deposit and improve the understanding of the genesis; 3. identify the factors controlling the locationh and formation of the deposits such as structural architecture, controls of host rocks and intrusions; and 4. discover lmineralogical, textural and geochemical zoning patterns that could gbe used as vectors to ore. A geological model will be developedfor use in exploration targeting.
Integrating climate adaptation into rainforest restoration (Old ID 27288)
Lucas Cernusak
01 Jul 2021 - 30 Jun 2024
Rainforest restoration aims to develop self-sustaining ecosystems, resilient to the potential negative effects of climate change. Key to this is identifying the physiological limitations and adaptive capacity of woody tree species used in revegetation plantings. Recent, albeit limited, research suggests that across species higher leaf thermal tolerance could be an adaptation to leaf temperature extremes. To improve our understanding on how tropical tree species will respond to current and future warming we need accurate estimates of leaf temperature extremes, as well as research into within-species variation in leaf thermal tolerance. I will address these knowledge gaps by combining measurements of leaf thermal tolerance and functional traits across a species distribution, with leaf energy balance modelling paramaterised during glasshouse experiments and field campaigns. These findings will aid in identifying vulnerable populations to climate change which will inform conservation and restoration efforts.

Bioactive principles in the bark of Pilidiostigma tropicum

The structural systematics of protonation of some important nitrogen-base ligands. I. Some univalent anion salts of doubly protonated 2,2':6',2"-terpyridyl

The Structural Systematics of Protonation of Some Important Nitrogen-base Ligands. II. Some Univalent Anion Salts of Singly Protonated Bis(2-pyridyl)amine

The structural systematics of protonation of some important nitrogen-base ligands. III. Some (univalent) anion salts of some hindered unidentate nitrogen bases

The Structural Systematics of Protonation of Some Important Nitrogen-base Ligands. IV. Some Ethane-1,2-diaminium Univalent Anion Salt/1,10-Phenanthroline (Hydrate) Arrays

The structural systematics of protonation of some important nitrogen-base ligands. V. Some univalent anion salts of mono- and bis(2-picolyl)amine

Non-equilibrium electron transport in gases: influence of magnetic fields on temporal and spatial relaxation

Design of a planar UWB antenna with signal rejection capability in a narrow sub-band

Microwave resonators and their use as measurement instruments and sensors

Measurements of thin polymer films employing split post dielectric resonator technique

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