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

Strengthening coral reef monitoring and ocean equity for marine co-management in Tonga. (Old ID 30026)
Patrick Smallhorn-West
16 Jun 2023 - 18 Dec 2023
The proposed project would aim to build off one of the most successfully implemented marine management programs in Tonga, the Special Management Area program (SMA). The SMA program is Tonga’s version of marine co-management and currently involves over 50 % of coastal communities (59 communities as of February 2023), with the aim to reach 100 % capacity by 2025. Implementation and scaling of the SMA program has been widely successful but is now struggling with issues in M&E, as well as community coordination. These issues have been expressed to us from the Ministry of Fisheries (MoF) and Civil Society of Tonga and are largely due to staff in these organisations being under-resourced and already working at full capacity. 1. Strengthen SMA Monitoring and Evaluation capacity in Tonga 2. Strengthen equity and resilience in the governance structure of Tonga’s Special Management Area program
Forever chemicals accidentally produced in a modern cleaner atmosphere
Jenny Fisher
01 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2028
The world is reliant on chemicals -- but many have detrimental impacts on the ozone layer and climate. Replacements have been developed that have no ozone depletion or global warming potential. However, their atmospheric breakdown products may not be so safe. We will combine cutting-edge laboratory experiments and state-of-the-art global models to quantify how 'clean' these replacements truly are.
Reintroduction and monitoring of the Armoured Mistfrog, Litoria lorica (Old ID 31133)
Conrad Hoskin
12 Sep 2023 - 31 Dec 2026
I have a long-term research project on the monitoring and recovery of the Critically Endangered Armoured Mistfrog. I am collaborating on this with the Threatened Species Group (DES, Qld Government) to perform a reintroduction and subsequently monitor all populations for three years. This grant will fund that research.
Microgrid Systems with Integrated Waste-to-Energy source for Forward-Deployed Defence Infrastructure
Yang Du
16 Mar 2026 - 16 Nov 2027
This project proposes the design and validation of a renewable, deployable microgrid that integrates various inputs such as waste-to-energy (W2E) systems, solar PV, batter and diesel generator. Designed for Defence operations in Northern Australia, the system will convert operational waste into usable energy (e.g., syngas or bio-oil) and provide reliable power for charging or storing energy in portable devices. It aims to enhance energy resilience, reduce reliance on fuel logistics, and support sustainable operations in remote or contested environments.
Australian Venom Innovation and Discovery (AVID) Initiative
Sally Lau
01 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
Antarctic brittle star transcriptome and proteome
Australian Venom Innovation and Discovery (AVID) Initiative
Sally Lau
01 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
Antarctic octopus genome, transcriptome and proteome
Developing the basis for wild caught prawn broodstock biosecurity protocols (Old ID 26238)
Dean Jerry
14 Nov 2018 - 08 Nov 2019
The project will monitor the presence and viral load of a number of endemic prawn viruses in farmed prawns collected at Australian Prawn Farm. The data collected will be used to prepare evidence based management protocols to improve productivity on the farm.
Northern Aquaculture Industry Situational Analysis (Old ID 26272)
Dean Jerry
31 Jan 2019 - 11 Feb 2020
This project will identify key challenges and opportunities facing the North Australian aquaculture sector and explore potential solutions and/or identify the most strategic research projects for further investment. This will include and not be limited to: infrastructure, policy, investment, environmental, production, knoweldge, training and human capital gaps and the research or alternative solutions to address them. The project will be delivered through a literature review, development of the 'Northern aquaculture industry vision 2028' in consultation with indigenous and non-indigenous stakholders, desktop study and SWOT analysis, and the situational analysis report.
Novel role of RNA splicing and modification in white blood cell formation
Ulf Schmitz
01 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2028
This project aims to address how ribonucleic acid (RNA) regulates white blood cell formation. This project expects to gain new insights into the mechanism and conservation of molecular processes governing white blood cell development using advanced molecular, cell biology and biochemical assays coupled with innovative RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Expected outcomes of the project include enhancing knowledge on how white blood cells are continuously replenished for the well-being of vertebrates and promoting international collaboration in the RNA sector. This should provide significant benefit in sustaining food production via knowledge to maintain health and combat blood disease in animals and advance Australia's RNA research.
Generation Signalling Device (GSD) using AFLC signals
Bruce Belson
09 Mar 2026 - 25 Apr 2026
The proposed project involves the design and development of a prototype Generation Signalling Device (GSD) intended for use within Queensland electricity distribution networks operated by Ergon Energy and Energex. Ergon and Energex manage grid stability by transmitting Audio Frequency Load Control (AFLC) ripple control signals superimposed on the mains supply to initiate load shedding and generation control. In solar photovoltaic systems, a GSD functions as an interface device that detects these AFLC signals and communicates corresponding shutdown or control commands to a connected inverter to assist in maintaining network balance. The project is being run under the aegis of the IoT stream of EE4500 2026 Block 2.

Effects of photoacclimation on the light niche of corals: a process-based approach

A quantitative comparison of recreational spearfishing and linefishing on the Great Barrier Reef: implications for management of multi-sector coral reef fisheries

The consequences of differential family survival rates and equalizing maternal contributions on the effective population size (Ne) of cultured silver-lipped pearl oysters, Pinctada maxima

Experimental manipulation reveals the importance of refuge habitat temperature selected by lizards

Enzyme and acid treatment of fish meal for incorporation into formulated microbound diets for barramundi (Lates calcarifer) larvae

Behavioural responses of carnivorous marsupials (Planigale maculata) to toxic invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus)

Avoiding unintended outcomes from REDD

Improving the performance of the Roundtable on sustainable palm oil for nature conservation

Planning for biodiversity in future climates—response

Tropical reptiles in pine forests: assemblage responses to plantations and plantation management by burning

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