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
- Adjunct 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
Conservation Geonomics of Nursery Frogs (Old ID 27588)
Nursery Frogs of the Cophixalus genus make up 5 of 7 critically endangered vertebrate species. They are vulnerable to climate change and restricted to extremely small ranges on mountain-tops and boulder-fields. Without conservation action, they are predicted to go extinct within 20 years. A major threat to threatened species like this is a loss of genetic diversity which leads to inbreeding depression, inability to adapt, and heightened extinction risk. This project aims to provide essential genetic assessment of one widespread and three threatened Nursery Frogs. Managers will be engaged with directly to inform conservation decisions in wild and captive populations.
Conservation Geonomics of Nursery Frogs (Old ID 27588)
Nursery Frogs of the Cophixalus genus make up 5 of 7 critically endangered vertebrate species. They are vulnerable to climate change and restricted to extremely small ranges on mountain-tops and boulder-fields. Without conservation action, they are predicted to go extinct within 20 years. A major threat to threatened species like this is a loss of genetic diversity which leads to inbreeding depression, inability to adapt, and heightened extinction risk. This project aims to provide essential genetic assessment of one widespread and three threatened Nursery Frogs. Managers will be engaged with directly to inform conservation decisions in wild and captive populations.
Research to Inform Yellow Crazy Ant Management in the Wet Tropics (Old ID 23489)
Research and activities required will be: ensure compliance with APVMA permit conditions; research efficacy of current pesticide treatments; research the reproductive phenology of YCA colonies and factors affecting; assess effects of YCA and the baiting program on biodiversity; maintain breeding colonies of YCA for use in dog detection training; design, develop, and test new detection techniques; design and develop further monitoring protocols; analyse WTMA collected data; attend and present findings at monthly and quarterly meetings; provide periodic reports and stay up-to-date with new developments in YCA management.
Research to Inform Yellow Crazy Ant Management in the Wet Tropics (Old ID 23489)
Research and activities required will be: ensure compliance with APVMA permit conditions; research efficacy of current pesticide treatments; research the reproductive phenology of YCA colonies and factors affecting; assess effects of YCA and the baiting program on biodiversity; maintain breeding colonies of YCA for use in dog detection training; design, develop, and test new detection techniques; design and develop further monitoring protocols; analyse WTMA collected data; attend and present findings at monthly and quarterly meetings; provide periodic reports and stay up-to-date with new developments in YCA management.
Reef lagoon benthic habitat mapping in the Coral Sea Marine Park (Old ID 27466)
This project will undertake reef lagoon benthic habitat mapping within the Coral Sea Marine Park. Sites to be surveyed are the western lagoon of Holmes Reef, all of Herald Cays, the lagoon between the Diamond Islets in Tregrosse Reef, and the eastern corner of the lagoon in Lihou Reef. This project will produce the first extensive reef lagoon benthic maps of the selected regions in the Coral Sea Marine Park and will be the first seagrass survey in the Coral Sea.
The threat of feral pigs as a reservoir of disease in North Queensland
This project will focus on identification of high-risk areas for Japanese encephalitis virus transmission in Australia by analyzing the distribution of potential hosts and vectors involved in the natural cycle, such as pigs (domestic and feral), wading birds and Culex mosquitoes. Serological and molecular tools will be used for investigating arboviruses and zoonotic bacteria pathogens in feral pig population across North Queensland
Utilising drone-based thermal remote sensing technology to accurately estimate spectacled flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) abundance and model population trajectories.
This project aims to address knowledge gaps in our understanding of the abundance and population trajectory of the spectacled flying fox, a keystone species in tropical rainforest ecosystems that is currently listed as Endangered. The research will focus on applying novel remote sensing technologies such as drone-based thermal imagery to estimate the current population size of spectacled flying foxes, and develop a standardised monitoring protocol specifically for use by Indigenous rangers. Additionally, the project will seek to test and adapt theoretical models for predicting species population trajectories using spectacled flying foxes as a case study. This work aligns with national conservation priorities and is crucial to understand whether conservation management actions are having the intended impact of mitigating spectacled flying fox population declines. Moreover, the project supports broader efforts to conserve tropical fauna globally by developing widely applicable field- and desktop-based methods for assessing population declines.
Symbiont acquisition of out-planted restoration corals produced using Assisted Gene Flow
This study aims to evaluate the effect of coral host genetics on symbiont uptake in the context of an assisted gene flow (AGF) experiment. AGF corals arising from parental crosses with divergent genetic backgrounds were deployed during a thermal stress event to evaluate survival rates, with survivors collected subsequently. This investigation aims to analyse potential differences in Symbiodiniaceae composition among coral juveniles with distinct genetic backgrounds and assess if offspring maintain fidelity to parental symbiont composition. Additionally, the study will examine whether survival rates are influenced by symbiont compositions. Understanding the adaptability of non-native corals to new environments and their compatibility with local symbionts is crucial for predicting their survival outcomes and the efficacy of AGF.
Climate Vulnerability Index – Yuku Baja Muliku phase 2
Climate change poses an existential threat to global heritage. With rising sea-levels, more extreme weather events and aridification, the extensive impacts of climate are evident at heritage sites globally and the pace of this change is startling. In most parts of the world the rate of loss is exceeding adaptive capacity and this deficit is only getting worse. This includes the land and sea country of Indigenous peoples in Australia, for which climate change is becoming more and more of an issue, requiring more knowledge and skills to help address the management options. Decisions on conservation and preservation begin with a detailed understanding of a place's vulnerability. The choices made will directly impact that ability to effectively integrate the goals of safeguarding heritage, adapting and mitigating climate change, and driving sustainable activities. This project will apply the Climate Vulnerability Index process to assess the vulnerability of the Yuku Baja Muliku country and people.
An evaluation of the chemical composition and invitro methane production of novel legumes and a plant bi-product
Our proposed research aims to explore novel tropical plants, with a particular focus on legumes, and their in vitro fermentability, methane production, and chemical composition. Through the evaluation of various leguminous pasture plants and plant products, our goal is to pinpoint those with the potential to mitigate methane production in northern livestock. This preliminary investigation will position us favourably to pursue larger, more comprehensive grant opportunities through Australian Government and industry funding bodies. The project will produce impactful publications and scientific insights into in vitro research, and the nutritional profiles of investigated legumes and plant products. With global warming and greenhouse gas emissions at the forefront for both government and industry priorities, ongoing interest in research within these fields guarantees continued opportunities for larger project calls and the expansion of related research capacity at JCU.
Organic matter, sodicity and soil structure
- 1998
- Oxford University Press
- Researchers:Paul Nelson
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 2024
End Date:
01 Jan 2027
Start Date:
01 Jan 2014
Start Date:
01 Jan 2003
Title:
PhD, James Cook University
End Date:
01 Jan 2010
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
End Date:
01 Jan 2024