College of Science & Engineering
Sophia Love
- Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)
- sophie.love@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
- 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
Tackling long-term food allergy among children to recurrent tropical allergens (Old ID 21737)
The aim of this research is to study the reactivity of allergens found in commonly consumed tropical foods by Australian children, for the development of improved allergy point-of-care diagnostic platforms for paediatric allergy in the tropics.
Jaragun Wetland Restoration (Old ID 27070)
A small wetland will be targeted for weed removal and replanting along Babinda Creek in this project. These restoration works will be monitored using a high-tech surveillance camera to live stream images from Jaragun’s website that track wetland restoration over time and its value to our birdlife. Overall, this project kick starts a struggling local community nestled in the heart of the wet tropics. This project is about creating green jobs and building a pathway for long term strategic investment into restoration and rehabilitation of the Russell River catchment.
Using novel eDNA technology to identify pollinators in tropical cocoa (Old ID 22911)
I am developing a career focused on identifying roles insects have in ecosystems, and methods to improve the services provided by insects to improve food production. To this end, I have paired in the proposed research two aims with different risk reward ratios focussed on insect pollination generally and pollination of cacao specifically. The first aim, to use molecular techniques to identify pollinators in Australian cocoa, includes very little risk and will serve to improve global relevance of my research and provide a basis for increased funding of cocoa research in Far North Queensland. This is because we have demonstrated tremendous potential to increase yields by providing pollinator habitat, but without identification of the pollinator species it is difficult to apply our research to other growing regions around the world. Demonstrating applicability of research conducted in Australian cocoa for other growing regions will allow me to apply for international aid grants and funding from international companies for research that uses JCU Cairns facilities for mechanistic studies paired with international fieldwork. I have already developed a relationship with Mars Chocolate, which benefit from this demonstration, and will expand my funding through ACIAR and ARC Linkage grants. The second aim of the study, to develop eDNA methods has a higher risk associated with it than Aim 1, given that we may not be able to identify pollinator presence from traces left behind on flowers. However, if we are successful, it will completely change the way pollination biology is researched, putting myself at the forefront of this new technology. One of the key questions remaining in ecology is what species provide pollination of crops and wild plants, and where in the landscape those services are provided. This technique will allow anyone, anywhere to identify which pollinators have visited which flowers in any type of flowering plant. Pioneering this broadly applicable methodology will put me in an ideal and unique position for funding and collaboration opportunities.
Geology and Ore Potential of the Tommy Creek Block, Mount Isa Inlier (Old ID 22960)
The objective of the proposal is to establish a new research project to understand the geological evolution of the prospective Tommy Creek Block, located near Cloncurry, utilising the expertise of geological staff and research facilities / resources at JCU, Cardiff University, and our industry partners Mount Isa Mines (MIM - Glencore and GBM Resources. These research partnerships will be further strengthened through this project. The project is designed to deliver benefits to the industry partners by providing an improved understanding of the geology of an active mineral exploration region, which will directly lead to better strategies for exploration and hence, enhanced prospects of exploration success. Such future mineral resource discovery is crucial to sustain the economic prosperity of Queensland. The project will provide industry with highly trained graduates with the specific skills sets needed to develop successful career paths in the minerals industry.
Coral Reef Health in the Coral Sea Marine Park (Old ID 24771)
A number of coral reefs occur in the Australian Marine Parks estate, particularly within the Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP). In 2016 and 2017, coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and CSMP were impacted by a mass global coral bleaching event. Regular surveys of coral bleaching and associated reef health in the CSMP are needed to inform future marine park management over the next three years to either enable comparisons against historical baselines where bleaching has previously occurred, or set new baselines for areas that aren’t bleached but may be in the future.
GBRF EOI Island Monitoring (Old ID 27698)
The more than 1000 islands and cays in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) World Heritage Area (GBRMPA spatial data, 2019) support a diverse range of ecological, cultural and economic values. Many are threatened by climate change, but monitoring and management is difficult as many cays are remote and difficult to access. This project will develop and implement an efficient drone-based hierarchical monitoring protocol based on the recognition and use of ‘natural ground control points’ that will enable more rapid and resource efficient capture of reef island status to inform management decisions.
GBRF EOI Island Monitoring (Old ID 27698)
The more than 1000 islands and cays in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) World Heritage Area (GBRMPA spatial data, 2019) support a diverse range of ecological, cultural and economic values. Many are threatened by climate change, but monitoring and management is difficult as many cays are remote and difficult to access. This project will develop and implement an efficient drone-based hierarchical monitoring protocol based on the recognition and use of ‘natural ground control points’ that will enable more rapid and resource efficient capture of reef island status to inform management decisions.
Enhanced weathering for carbon dioxide removal under tropical soil conditions
To meet climate targets we must drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but we will also need to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A novel ‘negative emission technology’ showing considerable promise is enhanced weathering. This involves applying crushed weatherable rock such as basalt to topsoil, where weathering reactions convert carbon dioxide gas to dissolved bicarbonate, which then flows to the sea where it is stored as bicarbonate or carbonate. In this project we will test the effect of soil properties and management factors on carbon dioxide removal via enhanced weathering in a tropical agricultural environment.
SEAPRO - Seaweed Environmental Action for Pollution Reduction and Algae Protein Optimisation
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.
Rare earth corrosion inhibitors in hydrogen production and storage systems
This project is an internally funded project for a near miss ARC Discovery Grant, which was within 10% of those who missed.
This project addresses corrosion and embrittlement of steel in hydrogen storage facilities, a new dimension in the world-wide multi-trillion dollar problem of the corrosion of steel. With the emerging hydrogen economy, new infrastructure for hydrogen storage will need to be constructed. It has been recently found that hydrogen gas can decompose to hydrogen atoms on the surface of the steel on the inner lining of storage vessels, and impregnate the infrastructure, and therefore compromising the integrity of the high pressure storage vessels.
Defects in hydrogen storage facilities can therefore lead to catastrophic failure of hydrogen energy infrastructure.
The project will enhance the capacity of rare earth carboxylate corrosion inhibitors, which are an inexpensive and green solution, to mitigate both corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement of steel, and provide an understanding of the protection process. The benefits of this project will ultimately be a new bulk use for Australia’s abundant rare earth resources and new chemical manufacturing to produce the inhibitors.
The project aligns with JCU’s major theme of “Industries and economies in the tropics” particularly relevant with the proposed Townsville Region Hydrogen Hub, a $70M Australian Government investment. Furthermore, the rare earth metals are classified as critical metals, and the project aligns with the Critical Metals Trailblazer project.
The project requires bulk amounts of corrosion inhibitors for assessment. The most expensive items are lanthanoid salts (all REs required) for the synthesis of lanthanoid carboxylates. Listed costs for rare earth chlorides and nitrates follow as examples, but carbonates and acetates are required for optimising procedures. The metal costs are (quotes are for the least expensive to most expensive chlorides and nitrates): lanthanoid chlorides range from $209/100g for CeCl3 to $1580/5g for ScCl3 while nitrates are $127/100g for Ce(NO3)3 to $975/5g for Sc(NO3)3. For optimum inhibitor systems, all 16 rare earths will need to be. For brevity, we do not quote all prices here, but chlorides total ca $5800, while nitrates total ca $4400. Organic supporting ligands are estimated to cost ca. $3,000. Analysis costs are included below. Travel to Melbourne is planned to meet with our Monash and Deakin collaborators to draft the next grant proposal.
How do herbivorous insects respond to drought stress in trees?
- 2020
- Cambridge Philosophical Society
- Researchers:Susan Laurance
Threats to environmentally sensitive areas from peri-urban expansion in Mauritius
- 2019
- Palgrave Macmillan
- Researchers:Susan Laurance
Avian ecological succession in the Amazon: a long‐term case study following experimental deforestation
- 2019
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:William Laurance
Land-cover change threatens tropical forests and biodiversity in the Littoral Region, Cameroon
- 2020
- Cambridge University Press
- Researchers:William Laurance
Start Date:
10 Nov 2024
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))
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2014
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
End Date:
01 Jan 2027
Start Date:
01 Jan 2003
Title:
PhD, James Cook University
End Date:
01 Jan 2010
End Date:
01 Jan 2003