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
Dwarf Minke Whale Project
The Minke Whale Project MWP (based at James Cook University, North Queensland Australia) conducts multi-disciplinary research into dwarf minke whale biology and behaviour, the social and economic values of the whales and the sustainable management of swim-with-whales tourism. The MWP research team works collaboratively with the GBR swim-with-minke whales tourism industry, Reef managers and wildlife conservation NGOs. Our work is primarily funded by ongoing passenger donations and the generous in-kind support of the CHARROA tourism operators in the Northern Great Barrier Reef. Please visit http://minkewhaleproject.org/
A sequential study of the microbiome profile in barramundi fry (Lates calcarifer) in different salinities
This project investigates whether the gut microbiome of juvenile barramundi is influenced by varying salinities. It assess gut mucosal morphology and also looks for the presence of Vibrio spp. toxin genes.
A study of the microbiome profile in barramundi fry (Lates calcarifer) fed diets with a different pH
Varying dietary pH is known to affect gut microflora in animal industries. This project looks at any potential changes to gut microbiome in juvenile barramundi fed diets with different pH.
Is groundwater discharge an overlooked source of methane in restored coastal wetlands?
Coastal wetlands including saltmarsh and mangroves (known as blue carbon ecosystems) can accumulate carbon and act as a natural sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). They, therefore, have the potential to mitigate climate change. However, the CO2 captured by wetlands may be counteracted by emissions of methane (CH4) from the wetland, which is a stronger greenhouse gas (GHG).
The Australian Government has recently created a blue carbon accounting system that encourages low-lying land to be converted to blue carbon ecosystems by removing tidal floodgates. However, effective restoration for carbon storage requires a better quantitative understanding of the fate of carbon following restoration. For example, it is currently unknown how much CH4 export will occur and whether the GHG impact of this flux is larger (or smaller) than the benefit of the overall carbon sequestration following wetland restoration.
Dissolved gasses including CH4 are often orders of magnitude higher in groundwaters than surface waters, suggesting groundwater seepage may be a significant, but unaccounted source of CH4 export from coastal wetlands. Determining how groundwater influences the carbon budget in coastal wetlands is complicated and costly if conventional methods of hydrogeological investigation (installation of observation bores) are used. In this study, we propose to use a novel and efficient method to estimate the contribution of groundwater to CH4 emissions from restored coastal wetlands based on natural geochemical tracers. This project expects to generate new knowledge about the fate of carbon post-wetland restoration. By knowing the dominant sources and sinks of greenhouse gases, the role that restored wetlands play in mitigating climate change will be better understood. This will provide insights into how restoration can be designed to maximize carbon storage. Hence,
the results from this work will be critical and timely in developing adequate strategies to manage coastal wetlands to minimize carbon losses.
Abattoir on the Mooove
A small Blended Learning and Innovation (BLING) grant from Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement
Assessment of Practical on Recoverable Surgery Performed on Barramundi by Final Year JCU Veterinary Science Students
Survey of final year vet students on their view of the recoverable fish surgery practical. These students are the only students in Australia to get such a practical.
Emerging technologies as a tool to monitor for invasive pathogens
We will evaluate the emerging technologies of environmental DNA (eDNA; air and water) sampling and next generation sequencing for use as rapid, cost-effective and scalable approaches of monitoring for the introduction and circulation of invasive pathogens. These approaches could be adapted to a wide range of high-risk interfaces.
Improving the efficiency of genomic selection for meat yield, product quality and environmental resilience through digital phenotyping in the Akoya oyster
The Akoya pearl oyster has historically been farmed for production of pearls. However, in recent times due to its rapid growth rate there is interest in farming this species as a new edible oyster commodity. Broken Bay Pearls is a company situated in Broken Bay, NSW that is currently farming Akoya pearl oysters to sell oyster meat into the Sydney market. They are interested in increasing their production and quality of products through a genomics-informed selective breeding program. For a selective breeding program to be feasible two core components of large-scale data streams need to be acquired (precise measurements on phenotypes of interest to select, and genomic-based SNP genotypes of oysters). Due to the cost and difficulty in measuring growth, meat quality (ie glycogen content) and meat yield at the industrial-scales required, computervision of growth traits trained through machine learning, near-infrared spectroscopy to measure flesh quality, and SNP genomic genotyping platform have enormous potential to revolutionise the conduct of a breeding program and maximise efficiency and quality output of production. Tools also will allow rapid grading of product and possible creation of new niche product lines for sale. The proposed product will develop AI/ML based non-invasive phenotype methods along with a genomic platform to allow a selective breeding program for the Akoya pearl oyster to be implemented.
Weed ID workshops for rangers and land managers
Development and delivery of pilot worshops on weed identification to rangers, NRM workers, land managers and other relevant audiences. This grant will help to develop and pilot test the workshops that are intended to continue to be delivered beyond the lifetime of the grant.
Artificial intelligence-guided detection of tumour peptides for immunotherapy against therap y-resistant cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC)
North Queensland has the highest incidence of CSCC worldwide, which has a huge impact on the local population. With a high tumour mutational burden, CSCC is responsive to immunotherapy, however therapy-resistant CSCC presents a significant challenge. This project aims to detect and select tumour-specific peptides for immunotherapy in patients with therapy-resistant CSCC. The focus on tumour-specific peptides aims to ensure that these peptides are unique to tumour cells, thereby minimising the risk of triggering autoimmunity in treated patients. This innovative approach seeks to enhance the precision and safety of immunotherapies by targeting tumour-specific antigens.
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