Research Projects
Methane Emissions Project
Saranika Talukder
01 Jul 2020 - 30 Jun 2021
The project explored the methane emission in different feeding systems used in Murray Dairy region.
How do interactions during grazing influence dairy herd performance
Saranika Talukder
02 Jul 2018 - 28 Jun 2019
This project was designed to develop thresholds to predict the grazing, standing, walking, and lying behaviour of dairy cows from motion sensor (IceTag) output.
Use of oaten hay to support sustainable development of dairy production
Saranika Talukder
01 Jan 2021 - 28 Mar 2025
The project will utilise international literature review, in vitro rumen fermentation experiment, dairy cattle experiments, and case study modelling to quantify and demonstrate oaten hay carbohydrates value proposition to total mixed ration based dairy production, with a specific aim to use oaten hay to optimise production and efficiency.
Benthic Mapping with Angkamuthi Traditional Owners in West Cape York Marine Park
Alexandra Carter
25 May 2024 - 06 May 2026
This project's requirements are for field work, data analysis and reporting on benthic habitats and fish, principally in the Habitat Protection and Special Purpose Zones of West Cape York Marine Park in the North Network of Australian Marine Parks in collaboration with Angkamuthi Traditional Owners.
NESP 4.5: Restoration by design: improving biodiversity outcomes from Australia’s restoration investments
Susan Laurance
01 Jul 2024 - 30 Jun 2027
Biodiversity monitoring of restoration projects. It will achieve this by undertaking 3 linked activities.
· Activity 1: stakeholder workshop
· Activity 2: examining methods used for restoration monitoring and evaluation
· Activity 3: evaluating biodiversity outcomes of key restoration projects.
This research is foundational for enhancing biodiversity recovery, strengthening restoration program delivery, encouraging informed restoration investments, and meeting national environmental standards. It directly addresses knowledge gaps around restoration identified in the Australia State of the Environment 2021 report and current national priorities for biodiversity conservation and restoration.
Note that this project is Phase 2 of the ‘Restoration by design’ project. Phase 1 is a small project currently underway (4.5 Phase 1: September 2023 – June 2024) which includes running a co-design workshop (planned for the first quarter of 2024) with a subset of stakeholders identified in this proposal. Project 4.5 Phase 1 is key to Project 4.5 Phase 2 of this project, as it is the formal start of the complex and time-consuming process of identification and consultation with stakeholders. Project 4.5 Phase 2 also aims to begin development of the program logic required for key parts of the project more broadly – specifically, the inclusion/exclusion criteria of restoration monitoring methods (there are many) and the inclusion/exclusion criteria for case studies to include in our detailed analysis here (again, there are many).
Expanding Traditional Owner led seagrass monitoring and restoration in the Girringun TUMRA
Alexandra Carter
14 Feb 2024 - 01 Aug 2025
Girringun elders and rangers have discussed the emerging Australian blue carbon market and are interested to learn more about what it means for Girringun clans and the health of their country. While progress has been made to include blue carbon in international and national policy and finance mechanisms, the full integration of coastal management activities as part of a climate mitigation strategy has not yet been realised. Estimates of organic carbon storage by seagrass meadows considering inter-habitat variability are essential to understand their potential to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) and derive robust global and regional estimates of blue carbon storage. Girringun Aboriginal Corporation sees this project as an opportunity to investigate the potential to improve the health of our coast, trial new technology to map seagrass/ blue carbon habitat, estimate carbon value in sea country, increase ranger skills, and learn more about carbon storage in the TUMRA region and how emissions can be reduced in sea country.
The project is designed to use a two-way knowledge approach, incorporating Indigenous knowledge (IK) and western science and technology in the Girringun TUMRA. Through this project GAC aims to continue their collaboration with JCU and CDU and form a new partnership with UQ. GAC have chosen these university partners due to their scientific expertise in seagrass and carbon research and experience working with Traditional Owners and Indigenous Ranger groups. This project includes Traditional Owners for six coastal clan groups in the Girringun TUMRA.
NESP 4.12: Mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events on spectacled flying-foxes
Susan Laurance
01 Apr 2024 - 31 Mar 2027
Spectacled flying-foxes (SFFs) were listed as Endangered in 2019, following an extreme heatwave in 2018 that resulted in the death of approximately one-third of the population. The mass mortality of Australian flying-foxes at roosts during heatwaves has been well documented, with future extreme heat events considered the greatest threat to their survival. This project aims to improve our understanding of the local thermal environments of SFF roosts across their range, which is a critical aspect of their sensitivity to the increasing risks imposed by climate change. By doing so, this project will improve species management through the provision of tools to mitigate the devastating impacts of future extreme heatwaves and advise managers on effective interventions. This project addresses national priorities by providing adaptive solutions to support the recovery of a threatened species and in developing capacity to help reverse the decline in Australia’s natural environment.
Outcomes of SGLT-2 Inhibitor induced Euglycaemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in North Queensland Intensive Care Units: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Leanne Hall
01 Jun 2024 - 31 May 2026
This study will examine all ICU outcomes, including but not limited to; mortality, length of stay, use of ventilator, pertaining to SGLT-2 inhibitor induced euglycaemic ketoacidosis over a period of 8 years at the nominated study sites. A secondary aim will be to compare these findings to ICU outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis patients, sex/age/co-morbidity matched. The data will be analysed to primarily determine differences between both groups, with the aim to develop an understanding of the unique natural history and risk factors of euglycaemic ketoacidosis.
Dugong tagging expedition in the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (Mozambique)
Christophe Cleguer
06 Jul 2024 - 31 Jul 2024
James Cook University dugong research leader Dr Christophe Cleguer will be providing on-the-ground assistance to Africa Parks to coordinate the first ever dugong satellite tracking study in Africa. JCU and African Parks will carry out an innovative conservation initiative with the placement of satellite tracking tags with the aim of monitoring and thus better protecting the Dugong population in the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (PNAB), Mozambique
Modelling plasma devices on femtosecond to millisecond timescales for compact particle-accelerator applications.
Greg Boyle
01 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme 2023:
Short-term exchange of researchers between JCU and DESY, collaborating on plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA) research and development. JCU student to benefit from DESY experimental and simulation expertise as world leaders in PWFA, and DESY postdoc to benefit from JCU expertise on charged-particle transport theory.