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Cairns airport wetland restoration
Working with OzFish and Cairns Airport to monitor and evaluate restoration success
Ending the neglect – setting the platform for strongyloidiasis elimination in Australia
Strongyloidiasis is caused by parasitic nematodes (roundworms) of the genus Strongyloides and is considered to be one of the most neglected of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). There are two main Strongyloides species that cause human infection; S. stercoralis and S. fuelleborni. In Australia, S. stercoralis is the infecting species that disproportionately affects remote Indigenous communities, with the prevalence ranging from 10-60%. The lifecycle and transmission is complex with both a parasitic cycle and a free-living cycle. This is further complicated by autoinfection and the possibility of zoonotic transmission– recent genetic evidence suggests the possibility of a dog reservoir. These factors coupled with less than ideal diagnostics and treatment options (Ivermectin and Albendazole) where there is evidence of treatment failures, the spectre of emerging resistance and their inability to prevent reinfection, all have implications for control and elimination efforts.
It is our central thesis that strongyloidiasis is a zoonotic neglected tropical disease of public health importance in Australia and that an integrated interdisciplinary “One Health” approach is required for its elimination.
Beyond the bump: Leveraging social media to build positive perinatal mental health in regional, rural and remote North Queensland women
This project aims to codesign, develop, and evaluate a preventative intervention to address mental health among perinatal women in regional, rural, and remote (RRR) areas. Co-designed with RRR perinatal parents and mental health professionals, the intervention will deliver a established psychotherapeutic techniques that are effective for preventing perinatal depression and anxiety (psychoeducation and behavior change on health literacy, interpersonal therapy) at-scale, tailored to the unique needs of the RRR maternity and mental health system. The evaluation will assess the feasibility, reach, engagement, and acceptability of the intervention, enabling a future larger-scale efficacy and implementation trial.
Town Common Wetland Restoraiton NQDT
Working with NQ Dry Tropics, undertake wetland monitoring and research to investigate restoration efforts and success at Town Common Townsville.
Town Common Wetland Restoraiton NQDT
Working with NQ Dry Tropics, undertake wetland monitoring and research to investigate restoration efforts and success at Town Common Townsville.
An Artificial Intelligence Enabled Automatic Detection of Estuarine Crocodiles in Queensland Waterways Using Digital Video
This is a collaborative project between James Cook University (JCU) and the Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation (DESI) to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) based software that leverages digital video for the detection of estuarine crocodiles (C. Porosus) in Queensland's waterways. Building on previous research and utilizing extensive footage from Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, this project aims to create an AI-based pilot detection system operational in both day and night settings to enhance safety around high-risk waterways.
Acuderdo de Conciliacion en Salar de Punta Negra
This project focuses on building a two-way model of the Salar de Punta Negra aquifer, integrating scientific and Peine knowledge.
Are Australians in midlife ready to implement Lifestyle Medicine to improve their health and wellbeing?
The global population is ageing and with an ageing population comes an increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. An opportune life stage to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in older age is midlife. Addressing these health issues at this midlife stage can help with the transition into a healthier older age. Lifestyle Medicine (LM) can be used as a method of managing overall health and wellbeing as well as preventing chronic disease. Despite what is known about the increase in chronic diseases and the high potential of LM, LM is still not utilised enough in healthcare. This student led project aims to understand what Australians in midlife know about Lifestyle Medicine (LM) and examine attitudes towards using LM to improve health and wellbeing. This research will add to the knowledge of acceptance of LM in midlife, to inform future health interventions.