Research Projects
Identification of good practices in engaging communities in research for implementation and in social innovation in health in low- and middle-income countries
Karen Carlisle
01 Apr 2021 - 31 Dec 2021
This project will undertake a systematic review to identify lessons learned around processes to engage communities in health services research in low and middle countries in South East Asia and the Pacific. It will focus on both the types of engagement (participants, stakeholders, partners, initiators and leaders) and the results update processes and outcomes. It will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analysis (PRISMA) checklist and access published, systematic reviews and grey literature.
Building capacity of GMY rangers to participate in the management of their Sea Country – 2.0
Skye McKenna
01 Sep 2024 - 31 Jan 2026
This collaborative project between GMY (Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Rangers) and JCU’s TropWATER team is a continuation and expansion of our GBRF Healing Country project and Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger GBR Program project. This project will continue to fill critical knowledge gaps by collecting baseline information or update old information for seagrass habitat, the current health and condition of coral habitats and dugong and turtle movement in GMY Sea Country. GMY rangers will work with JCU TropWATER scientists to up-skill in key areas: seagrass, dugong and coral reef surveys and monitoring methods; drones, mapping and GIS survey methods; habitat mapping; and data management.
JCU TropWATER staff; Skye McKenna, Dr Katie Chartrand & Dr Chris Cleguer will provide the science (i.e., science around mapping benthic habitats, designing monitoring programs & aerial drone-based research & monitoring), technical (i.e., using spatial databases, data management systems, drone training), logistical (i.e., vessel and underwater camera equipment), reporting and training (i.e., species identification) support required to deliver the project.
Assessing seagrass distribution as habitat for dugong, turtle and fish on Mandubarra Sea Country
Paul York
01 May 2024 - 30 Nov 2025
The project will survey seagrass around the South Barnard Islands to complete habitat mapping within the coastal waters of Mandubarra's TUMRA. It will also look at the use of these seagrass meadows by the large herbivores, green turtles and dugong, that graze on them, using high intensity aerial surveys over key foraging grounds in the area. The project will also use Stereo Remote Underwater Video (RUVS) and Baited Underwater Videos (BRUVS) to identify, count and measure fish assemblages in seagrass and reef at Kurrimine Beach-King Reef and the Barnard Island to identify important nursery and adult fish habitats.
The Yunbenun Seagrass and Megafauna Monitoring Project
Skye McKenna
23 Sep 2024 - 30 Apr 2026
The Yunbenun Seagrass and Megafauna Monitoring Project will address knowledge gaps around seagrass and megafauna (i.e. dugong), in Wulgurukaba Sea Country which can be used to inform and drive on-ground action. The project will help build the capacity of Wulgurukaba People, Yunbenun Rangers and the community, to play an active role in protecting important island ecosystems and the animals that use them. At the end of this project, Wulgurukaba People and Yunbenun Rangers will have the foundation skills that will empower them to have an active and leading role in habitat and megafauna monitoring in Sea Country and potentially be involved in seagrass and megafauna activities that are already occurring in Sea Country such as such the Port of Townsville Long-Term Seagrass Monitoring Program and the MMP.
The project will implement a multi-step strategy that starts with people and partners coming together to share knowledge, a synthesis of all the information we know about seagrasses and megafauna in Wulgurukaba Sea Country, training for skill and capacity building, on-ground assessments of benthic habitats and megafauna, and culminates with tangible outcomes such as maps of benthic habitats to fill knowledge gaps and a better understanding of the movement of megafauna around Yunbenun.
Using virtual and augmented reality with Vive.
This pilot project aims to test the application the Vive System initially in a small cohort using two devices and to explore how effective the Vive system is at engaging students in a fun and interactive way when learning about anatomy.
Interactive and adaptive histology resource
This project aims to produce an interactive, adaptive learning resource that allows students to view high quality images of JCU Anatomy slides.
Mixed Reality and its applications in anatomy - HoloAnatomy.
This pilot project will trial two HoloLens 2 headsets in a first year anatomy subject, with a view to expand into other subjects. The HoloLens is a mixed reality headset that immerses students in a virtual learning experience, and enhances students learning and engagement in anatomy.
Establishment of a pilot Home Group program in Biomedicine
The aim of this project is establish a Biomedicine Home Group program initially for the first year students in an attempt to improve the pastoral care and psychological wellbeing of the students, while focusing on their academic development. The Home Group program will be based on the already established and very successful MBBS home groups in CMD.
3D Printing in Anatomy
Models are often used in anatomy for teaching structures that cannot be easily seen in the cadavers. Models are used to clarify the more complex anatomical structures, therefore some models would have to be custom made. The size and the materials used to create the model can vary greatly and can significantly how effective the model will be for teaching.