Research Projects
Rare Earths-Critical Metals for Future Applications
This is a new project. This project aims to develop unusual oxidation state rare earth metal (critical metal) organic complexes with high properties (e.g. reactivity, luminescence, strong magnetism), and small molecule activation of these new species. The project expects to advance knowledge of rare valent rare earth chemistry and to enhance the understanding of direct reactions and C-F activations and rare earth complexes involving organic radical anions. Expected outcomes include expansion of tetravalent lanthanoid chemistry and new structures, reactivity, and magnetic properties. Significant benefits are the applications of Australia's abundant rare earths in catalysis as well as the development of new extraction and separation techniques. The results for LnIV will provide key information for the isolation of stable lanthanoids (IV) complexes with high oxidizing abilities, which is important for the expansion of tetravalent lanthanoid chemistry and its applications in catalysis as well as the development of new separation techniques. Divalent and mixed valent rare earth compounds will expand their synthesis and application. All of them require considerable synthetic innovation and would be a major contribution to knowledge and would open exciting reaction chemistry. The innovation is to build –C-F-Ln bonds and induce C-F activation of fluorine substituted ligands by the direct reactions or redox transmetallation RT reactions from free rare earth metals. The redox-active ligand is a particularly attractive linker to promote magnetic coupling in lanthanoids resulting in complexes displaying exchange coupling and single molecule magnet behaviour. These radical-bridged complexes can be accessed using simple N/O supporting ligands. These findings will pave the way for the synthesis of radical-bridged complexes and suitable tuning of the supporting ligand should lead to improved magnetic communication, exchange-coupled SMMs, and understanding the magnetic properties of the 4f-block metal compounds. The main benefits of the project are advancement of knowledge of rare earth chemistry, especially of highly reactive metal-organic compounds, maintenance of Australia’s position as one of the leaders in this field. Knowledge and innovations acquired in this research will facilitate advances in use of Australia's abundant rare earths in chemical manufacture, catalysis, and recycling. It will add value to Australia’s abundant rare earth resources by providing a base for downstream applications. Moreover, the production of rare earth complexes with improved magnetic properties provides an opportunity for advanced manufacturing in Australia’s fine chemicals industry. The most expensive items are rare earth metals for the synthesis of tetravalent rare earth complexes. e.g. Eu $1200/20g, Yb $1252/100g, Dy $939/100g, Tb, $1565/50g, Pr 782/100g, Lu and Tm are much more expensive. Other necessary expensive reagents include pentafluorobenzene $688/500g, 2,6-Difluoroaniline 349/100g, 2,6-Diisopropylaniline $320/100g, 2,3,4,5-Tetrafluoroaniline $195/25g, 2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoroaniline $276/25g, 2,3,4,5,6-Pentafluoroaniline $342/100g, triethyl orthoformate $277/1L, pyrrole $189/100ml, 3-Pentanone $100/1kg needed to prepare organometallic reagents and ligands. Other important reagents include tris(4-bromophenyl)ammoniumyl hexachloroantimonate $105/5g (the oxidizing agent), Benzophenone ($122/1kg), 4,4´-Dipyridyl ($202/25g), iodine ($147/100g), K/Na metal, et al. A supply of deuterated solvents is needed for NMR spectroscopy, e.g. C6D6 ($495/100g) and C4D8O ($477/10g). Microanalyses are a major cost for a synthetic project as the analyses are determined in London (air-sensitive sample $45/C, H, N) and SQUID measurement will be determined at EPSRC National EPR Facility University of Manchester ($160/h).
Mapping transcrustal transfer of energy critical metals in Northwest Queensland
This project will target a resubmission of a near-miss 2025 Discovery Project Expression of Interest. The aim is to develop and demonstrate proof-of-concept methodologies, and deliver preliminary results, in order to strengthen the application for 2026. The project requests funds for 50% of four months salary for the new postdoctoral research associate in Geophysical Ore body modelling to perform this pilot study, and assist with updating and improving the DP application. Funds will be requested for a research associate within the DP application, and thus, if successful, the research associate would take up this role for the DP following the completion of their Trailblazer postdoctoral position.
Enhancing Battery Control and Market Integration for Renewable Support: Applications in Solar Firming and Dispatchable Generation
This project explores how advanced battery control strategies can enable renewable energy—particularly solar PV—to provide reliable, dispatchable power. It involves collaboration with US experts to develop market-aligned battery applications and educational materials that support Australia’s clean energy transition.
Enhancing Battery Control and Market Integration for Renewable Support: Applications in Solar Firming and Dispatchable Generation
This project explores how advanced battery control strategies can enable renewable energy—particularly solar PV—to provide reliable, dispatchable power. It involves collaboration with US experts to develop market-aligned battery applications and educational materials that support Australia’s clean energy transition.
An Australian social prescribing implementation framework: Piloting a co-design approach
This pilot project will use a co-design approach to inform an implementation framework for social prescribing tailored to the Australian context. Through a series of workshops and interviews with key stakeholders—including service providers and consumers—investigators will identify systemic and operational challenges, opportunities for improvement, and the support structures needed for sustainable implementation. This participatory, iterative process will enable stakeholders to prioritise key areas of focus, ensuring the development of the framework is grounded in real-world needs and responsive to Australia’s diverse health and social care environments. Findings will be shared with the broader sector and will inform a subsequent large-scale funding application to co-design, implement, and evaluate a national social prescribing framework.
A rationally designed vaccine for tuberculosis (Old ID 26852)
Tuberculosis kills more people than any other infectious disease, and approximately one third of the world's population is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Reactivation of latent tuberculosis is associated with immunosuppressive conditions, most notably AIDS and type 2 diabetes. This project aims to investigate correlates of protection against tuberculosis in these immunosuppressive conditions by using innovative mouse models and human samples and to develop a new TB vaccine.
Supporting Participatory Evidence generation to Control Transmissible diseases in our Region Using Modelling (SPECTRUM) (Old ID 26936)
SPECTRUM is a centre for research excellence in decision science and includes chief investigators from the University of Melbourne, Australian National University and University of Adelaide. It focusses on data synthesis for policy decision making, particularly in relation to pandemic planning, emerging infectious diseases and other infectious dieases threats.
Develop an autonomous AI vehicle damage assessment tool (Phase II) (Old ID 27223)
Improvement upon the project 1 developed method for automated detection, identification and categorisation of vehicle panel damage by developing a user interface and video vision. Semantic segmentation and deep learning networks will be further refined and developed for the next evolution/iteration of the software platform.
Project CaNE (Old ID 27277)
The CaNE™ project will work with farmers to drive productive, financially, and environmentally sustainable farming systems. The project will address the issue of DIN being exported from the farm into freshwater and marine ecosystems within the Catchment area, while maintaining cane productivity. TropWATER is to provide local water quality monitoring support to local agronomic extension providers to facilitate farming practice change to produce water quality benefits in the lower Herbert River canegrowing region. The water quality monitoring program will involve scientific engagement, communication and education surrounding local water quality processes associated with agriculture.
Novel therapeutics for diabetes sourced from Northern Australian biota. (Old ID 27321)
The aim of this project is to develop lead diabetes drug candidates from hookworm saliva and build a package for multinational commercial investment. The project aims to deliver the following outcomes: 1. Screen a synthetic hookworm library (consisting of hundreds of hookworm proteins) for anti-inflammatory activity and express lead candidates using pharmaceutical industry standard techniques. 2. Assess efficacy of leads in mouse models of diet-induced T2D. 3. Understand the mechanism of lead drug action and prioritize candidates for progression into clinical development. 4. Set the scene for a burgeoning biotech industry in Northern Australia that is differentiated from those in the south, and indeed globally, by capitalizing on the unique biodiversity of the region and the therapeutic opportunities it presents.