Research Projects
Novel reproductive approaches to de-risk and transform barramundi breeding (Old ID 31145)
Jarrod Guppy
01 May 2024 - 16 Sep 2027
Demand for Australian seafood outstrips supply. Farming of the iconic Australian barramundi is poised to play a major role addressing this shortfall; but innovative methods are needed to de-risk breeding processes and to provide precise control of maturation, spawning and genetic contribution of broodstock. This project, in partnership with the world’s largest barramundi breeding company, will develop, test and apply novel breeding methods to obtain tight control over barramundi reproductive development and spawning. By combining cutting edge genetic and applied breeding techniques, selective breeding programs will be more efficient and the genetic gains from breeding programs will be maximised.
Tully-Johnstone wetland project
HanShe Lim
01 Nov 2023 - 31 May 2024
This project is built on an extension project funded by the Great Barrier Reef foundation to Terrain NRM. Terrain NRM contacted JCU to collaborate on a small study to better understand the partitioning of water, using radon measurements as a way to quantify groundwater contributions to the constructed wetland in Innisfail.
Jaragun wetland restoration research
Nathan Waltham
21 Apr 2024 - 27 Feb 2026
Complete wetland research with Jaragun in wet tropics, including oyster and freshwater ecology research.
Project-level blue carbon ecosystem restoration benefits measurement, verification and accounts: for the Mungalla Blue Carbon Project (Old ID 31211)
Diane Jarvis
15 Nov 2023 - 30 Nov 2025
The Mungalla Blue Carbon Project relates to wetlands restoration works being completed by a team including Greening Australia and JCU TropWater, working in partnership with the Nywaigi Traditional Owners. This Mungalla Blue Carbon Accounting project seeks to prepare ecosystem accounts to present the restoration benefits arising from the Nywaigi Traditional Owners from the wetlands restoration. The project will develop and test methods for accounting for these benefits, and will inform DCCEEW guidelines for the preparation of ecosystem accounting for such projects in the future.
The Connectedness of Oil Price Shock, Green Bond and Geopolitical Risk
Sook Rei Tan
01 May 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
We propose a research study to explore the interconnectedness of oil price shock, green bond market, and geopolitical risk, with the following aims: (1) to identify the type of oil price shock (demand/supply/risk-related shock) that exerts a larger impact on the green bond market; (2) to investigate whether the oil price shock, green bond, and geopolitical risk act as a risk transmitter or receiver; (3) to examine the dynamic connectedness and determine which events (such as the Global Financial Crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Middle East crisis) significantly increase or decrease the interconnectedness.
Monitoring and Evaluation for JUTE Theatre Company Transport Main Roads Dare 2 Dream Project. (Old ID 27924)
Theresa Petray
01 Aug 2022 - 30 Jun 2026
The purpose of this research is to conduct monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) for JUTE Theatre Company’s ‘Remote Road Safety Road Show’. The research will be used to improve future project delivery by JUTE Theatre Company, and to produce scholarly outputs.
Characterisation of avian circovirus protein complexes: A crucial step in tackling fatal viral infection in birds
Subir Sarker
13 Jan 2020 - 30 Aug 2025
This project aims to better understand how the beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is assembled. The virus affects Australian native birds, which are currently endangered or critically endangered and has the potential to disrupt native ecosystems. By using interdisciplinary research, this project will generate fundamental knowledge by which BFDV protein complexes are formed. The intended outcomes of the project include the identification of key binding interfaces involved in viral formation processes. This information intends to guide cost-effective delivery of potential anti-viral options or vaccines for endangered Australian native parrots, and for use as a model to target other pathogenic DNA viruses of interest.
Monitoring of avian influenza in samples collected from aquatic birds in North Queensland (2024)
Paul Horwood
17 May 2024 - 31 Jan 2025
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.
Evaluation of a novel model of dermatology outpatient care, designed to enhance services to underserved regional and rural areas. (Old ID 27133)
Rebecca Evans
17 May 2021 - 17 May 2023
This project will pilot a novel model of specialist outpatient care in dermatology. In this model, patients referred for a specialist dermatology opinion at Townsville University Hospital will be seen in a satellite clinic, by a GP with a special interest (GPSI) in dermatology. The GPSI will provide specialist dermatology services with support from a remotely located dermatologist, via two telemedicine platforms: A) Store-and-forward telemedicine (SAFT) platform – to transfer information to the remotely-located specialist (asynchronous); B) Video-link Case conferencing between the specialist and the GPSI (real-time, synchronous)
Ecosystem Risk Assessment: new solutions to the global biodiversity crisis (Old ID 26808)
Nicholas Murray
14 Feb 2019 - 14 Feb 2023
This project aims to develop a typological framework for the world's ecosystems, and undertake the first broadscale global risk assessment for ecosystems. It also includes detailed Australian risk assessments and scenario analyses to develop sustainable management of ecosystem services and climate adaptation strategies. The outcomes include the first global-scale framework for classifying terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, the first global Red List of Ecosystems an didentified priorities for protecting Earth's remaining wild ecosystems and restoring those that have suffered degradation. These advances will support progress on UN Sustainable Development Goals. The case studies will significantly benefit on-ground action.