Research Projects
Spatiotemporal variation in settlement rates of crown-of-thorns starfish on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef: critical research to underpin understanding and management of impending population irruptions (Old ID 27784)
Peter Doll
24 Aug 2022 - 30 Jun 2023
The purpose of this research is to quantify spatiotemporal variation in settlement rates of crown-of-thorns starfish in the lead up to renewed population irruptions on the GBR. Attention will focus on reefs within the putative initiation area, though complementary sampling will also be conducted on reefs in the far northern GBR. Despite existing evidence that population irruptions in the far northern GBR (specifically, at reefs in the Cape Grenville region) can precede the emergence of population irruptions in the northern extent of the currently defined initiation area there has never been any attempt to measure and compare settlement rates of crown-of-thorns starfish over a broad cross-section of reefs in the northern GBR.
Coral bleaching assessment 2024 in northern Great Barrier Reef
Peter Doll
01 Mar 2024 - 01 May 2024
Climate induced coral bleaching is now the foremost threat to coral reefs, including Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Based on current and projected sea surface temperatures there is a very high likelihood that mass bleaching will occur in March 2024 on the GBR. As such, The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) are requesting that our team undertake in-water bleaching assessments in the northern GBR in March 2024, at reefs where we are working on crown-of-thorns starfish.
Localised status assessment for specialty coral harvest species in the Great Barrier Reef (Old ID 27915)
Peter Doll
01 Feb 2023 - 31 Jul 2024
The objectives of the proposed 2-year program of monitoring are to assess the relative abundance and biomass of coral species within localised areas of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, directly comparing between areas of intensive coral harvesting with complementary reference areas within Marine National Park areas that are closed to fishing.
Processes and patterns in larval settlement of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris)
Peter Doll
30 Mar 2020 - 06 Aug 2023
JCU Postgraduate Research Scholarship 2020-2023 (stipend & fees)
Ecological Impact of Antibiotic Resistance Released from the Cleveland Bay Purification Plant using Marine Turtle Species (Old ID 26730)
Robert Kinobe
31 Jan 2020 - 31 Jan 2023
Cleveland Bay is a grazing ground for turtle species. Cleveland Bay Purification plant (CBPP) treats waste that may contain a variety of antibiotics. This study aims to determine the prevalence and distribution patterns of antibiotic resistant genes in the CBPP effluent and in the immediate receiving environment.
Genotyping Australian Cats for ABCB1 Gene Mutation: Implications for Drug Sensitivity and Veterinary Pharmacogenomics
Robert Kinobe
30 Mar 2024 - 30 Mar 2025
The aim of this research is to determine the existence of the ABCB1 gene mutation in Australian domestic cats and its potential effect on drug induced toxicity. The ABCB1 gene encodes for P-glycoprotein, a membrane transporter that affects the absorption, tissue distribution, and elimination of many clinically used drugs. In the brain, this protein contributes to a blood-brain barrier that safeguards animals from chemical induced neurotoxicity. In dogs and cats, specific mutations in the ABCB1 gene introduce premature stop codons which disrupt the biosynthesis of this protein. These mutations are associated with increased drug movement into the brain, and increased susceptibility to drug induced adverse reactions. In North America, approximately 5% of domestic cats carry the ABCB1 gene mutation but its prevalence in Australian cats is not known. Our primary objective is to determine the frequency of ABCB1 gene mutation in Australian cats presenting with drug-induced neurologic toxicity. This information will be essential for improving drug safety in domestic cats.
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant - China Chemistry Practicum and Research
Yang Liu
01 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2025
Building PHN’s capacity in leading and managing health commissioning
Zhanming Liang
03 Apr 2024 - 31 Aug 2024
The project will develop understanding of how Primary Health Networks (PHN) can provide the most appropriate level of support and contribute to building local service providers’ capacity in delivering ‘the best value for money’ quality service. The project will contribute to improving PHN's overall appropriateness, acceptability, effectiveness and efficiency of the health commissioning process.
The project will identify
1) the skill development needs of PHNs in effectively leading and managing the health commissioning process and how such skills can be developed?
2) how PHN can best engage and support local service providers in building capacity in in delivering quality services
How do Indigenous Liaison Officers support speech pathology services for Indigenous Australian adults with acquired neurogenic communication disorders?
Frances Cochrane
01 Aug 2018 - 31 Mar 2021
Speech Pathology Australia New Researcher Grant.
PhD research study,