Research Projects

07 Jun 2024 - 30 Jun 2027

Recent ME/CFS research focuses on blood biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. Immune dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic changes are highlighted as key pathways. Omics technologies aid in discovering novel biomarkers and understanding disease heterogeneity. Challenges like sample variation and reproducibility underscore the importance of collaboration and standardization. Despite obstacles, biomarker discovery offers potential for early detection, personalized treatment, and better outcomes. This research signals a move towards precision medicine in ME/CFS management, promising transformative impact in clinical practice.

NESP 4.6: Developing Traditional Owner community-led dugong monitoring in the Kimberley region

Christophe Cleguer

01 Feb 2024 - 11 Dec 2026

keystone species with considerable ecological and cultural value across northern Australia. In the Kimberley region of Western Australia, dugongs have been identified as one of the top priorities to monitor in an effort to ensure the population is maintained and traditionally harvested in a sustainable manner. This project aims to have Traditional Owners and ranger groups across the Kimberley use cost-effective and culturally appropriate approaches to (1) fill knowledge gaps on the dugong’s population structure and connectivity at a range of spatial and temporal scales and (2) monitor the animals’ presence, density and habitat use in areas that are ecologically and culturally important to the local community and state and federal managers. This program directly addresses the national priorities of conserving, protecting and sustainably managing biodiversity through research and information management.

NESP 4.11: Scaling-up long-term seagrass restoration in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Michael Rasheed

05 Feb 2024 - 04 Jan 2027

There is an urgent community-driven need to develop appropriate seagrass restoration approaches at scale for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI). Fast-tracking larger-scale restoration research is required to prevent imminent collapse and functional extinction of seagrasses at CKI due to past disturbance and current green turtle grazing pressure. This project builds on pilot studies to design and establish a network of larger-scale turtle exclusion areas where locally appropriate restoration approaches can be refined. At the same time, this will provide “seagrass refuges” to initiate recovery, monitor ecological effects, and provide for future restoration efforts. The project has been co-developed with the CKI community and Parks Australia, addressing their highest research priority identified in the newly established Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park. The project will provide an action plan for ongoing interventions and strategies to future-proof local seagrasses and support seagrass-dependent species, such as green turtles and fish, in the long term.

Sugar-AI: Smart Sugarcane Health Monitoring and Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD) Detection with Satellite Remote Sensing and Machine Learning (Old ID 30057)

Mostafa Rahimi Azghadi

01 Aug 2024 - 31 Dec 2025

The aim of the Sugar-AI project is to develop a prototype smart software system for sugarcane health monitoring. The prototype will focus on accurately diagnosing Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD), which is considered by most sugarcane pathologists globally to be the most important disease that impacts on sugarcane yields between 5-60%.

Development of mangrove indicators for the 2024 Gladstone Harbour Report Card

Norm Duke

10 Jun 2024 - 30 Aug 2024

This 2024 program extends on those in 2018 & 2019 (Shultz et al. 2019, 2020). As before, a wide range of expertise will be used in this environmental management project in the PCPA TUMRA Indigenous Protected Area. The multiple threatened ecosystems of this Central Queensland region will be evaluated. The program will support GHHP efforts for the better management of shoreline environmental values. This will be achieved through the on-going implementation of an integrated monitoring and archiving program, bringing together the research, and remote sensing, gathered and compiled by expert mangrove tidal wetland scientists from James Cook University. The integrated project will help identify environmental indicators and reporting options based on an updated thorough assessment of estuarine and coastal shorelines of their habitat condition, biodiversity conservation and landscape scale connectivity of shoreline ecosystems as described in the GHHP tender document. Ongoing consultation with the GHHP and other stakeholders will ensure a robust and lasting outcome.

Integrating Ecological, Social, and Cultural Values of the Coastal Waters of Roebuck Bay

Christophe Cleguer

21 Mar 2023 - 31 Mar 2027

Integrating Ecological, Social and Cultural Values of the Coastal Waters of Roebuck Bay. JCU researchers will lead the dugong component of this work, deploying telemetry tags on adult wild dugongs in collaboration with local indigenous Traditional Owners and dugong hunters to study the use of Roebuck Bay and greater region by the animals.

Addressing key technical bottlenecks in the grouper supply chain in Vietnam and Australia through manufactured feed and hatchery developments that aim to improve sector profitability (Old ID 29011)

Leo Nankervis

01 Jun 2024 - 01 Dec 2027

The project aims to address key bottlenecks in the aquaculture grouper supply chain in Vietnam and Australia through research into nutritional constraints and drivers for commercial feed adoption by the Vietnam grow-out farming sector, as well as factors affecting the supply of high-quality eggs, larvae and juveniles in both Vietnam and Australia. A physiological approach to nutrient requirements and feeds development will be applied to address nutrient-related production bottlenecks for grouper aquaculture. This project will develop commercially implemented feed formulated specifically for grouper, facilitating the further development of the industry in Vietnam and Australia.

Redefining E-waste Management: Circular Economy Business Models in Action’

Siggi Gudergan

27 May 2024 - 31 Jul 2025

The Queensland Government has implemented the 'E-Products Action Plan 2023–2033' with the vision of transforming Queensland into a zero-waste society by 2050. This comprehensive plan aims to minimise waste generation by emphasizing avoidance, reuse, and recycling practices. Queensland-based volunteer organizations can play a vital role in this initiative. However, the traditional approaches they use often fall short of addressing the environmental and social impact. The proposed research will introduce innovation by embedding circular economy principles into the existing model of volunteering organizations to address the challenges associated with responsible recycling. The objectives of this project is to develop a ‘blueprint’ that will be flexible and can be used by national and local volunteers, local and state government, civil society, the private sector, and local communities.

Prototype of a Cost Effective Thermal Energy Storage System for Air-conditioning Photovoltaic-Powered Homes

Wenxian Lin

27 May 2024 - 30 Jun 2025

This project addresses the critical issue of intermittency in solar energy generation by proposing an innovative solution that combines energy storage with air conditioning demand to achieve net zero emission in hot but solar energy abundant Northern Queensland with the construction and research of the prototype of a cost effective thermal energy storage system for air-conditioning photovoltaic-powered homes. This prototype could significantly enhance the viability of solar energy as a primary power source for households and building complexes, contributing to the long-term sustainability and resilience of tropical regions in the face of escalating energy requirements and climate change.

SEAPRO - Seaweed Environmental Action for Pollution Reduction and Algae Protein Optimisation

Ludwig Lopata

27 May 2024 - 30 Jun 2025

Aquaculture plays a crucial role in ensuring global food security and fostering future job creation, especially given the rising global demand for seafood and the plateauing of capture fisheries. In Queensland, it significantly contributes to the bioeconomy, playing a pivotal role in food production and economic development. The industry's value in the region has reached $224.7 million, indicating a notable growth of 16.1% from 2021. While the aquaculture industry in Queensland heavily relies on two main species, prawns, and barramundi, which collectively contribute to 95% of the state's production. Currently within aquaculture there is a growing global recognition of another species group: Seaweed. Seaweed is gaining recognition not only as a sustainable food source but also for its remarkable capacity to function as bio-filters, extracting excess nutrients (N & P) from aquatic environments. This makes it a potentially valuable new aquaculture product while also enhancing the environmental sustainability and circularity of aquaculture operations. Integrated aquaculture technology is a key driver of this progress, enabling the coordinated and sustainable cultivation of multiple species. This technology can be integrated into both new and existing commercial operations both on land and at sea, thereby diversifying production within a single cultivation area. By incorporating algal biofilters, this technology efficiently removes excess nutrients and contaminants from farm effluent, transforming them into valuable co-products. This project aims to strategically deploy seaweed aquaculture to eliminate nutrient pollution and simultaneously enhance the growth of the aquaculture and seaweed industry in the tropics. Focusing on Queensland's aquaculture industry, we aim to employ innovative technology developed by Blue Carbon Pty Ltd to convert excess nutrients into high-value food proteins (extracted from algae) developed by James Cook University, crucial for the growing alternative protein sector. Preliminary work will determine which species of seaweed which are culturable within the IMTA systems will be most appropriate for use in the alternative protein sector, and will include both marine (Ulva ohnoi, Cladophora sp., Sargasum sp. Asparagopsis taxiformis, etc.) and freshwater species (Oedogonium sp.). The selected seaweed species will be analysed for the abundance and type of extracted proteins using biochemical process developed by the research team at James Cook University. This proof-of-concept project envisions a harmonious blend of technological innovation and sustainable aquaculture practices to produce sustainable proteins for the growing alternative protein food sector as well as animal feed. The new protein products developed from seaweed will be economically viable and increase the circular product generation of the aquaculture industry, while helping to reduce negative effect on the environment both directly and indirectly. This innovative protein production is highly scalable through the implementation of IMTA technology within aquaculture operations and different types of seaweed can be identified for production in both tropical and tempered water of Australia. The introduction of Australia's Reef Credit Scheme further amplifies the benefits of such technology. Farms implementing integrated aquaculture technology not only contribute to sustainable farming and diversifying products but also standing to gain additional benefits through this innovative credit scheme. Overall, these advancements have the potential to significantly improve the overall sustainability, environmental impact, and circularity of aquaculture operations. This investment promises not only environmental benefits but also positions Queensland as a key player in the evolving landscape of alternative protein production.