Research Projects
Optimizing Feeds for Singaporean Red Snapper Aquaculture
Xueyan Shen
01 Jun 2022 - 01 Dec 2024
Optimizing Feeds for Singaporean Red Snapper Aquaculture
Optimizing Asian Seabass Research and Production in Singapore through an Integrated Approach
Xueyan Shen
01 Oct 2025 - 31 Oct 2028
Optimizing Asian Seabass Research and Production in Singapore through an Integrated Approach
Seagrass Monitoring and Research Ports North
Michael Rasheed
12 Sep 2025 - 31 Dec 2030
Ports North in partnership with James Cook University’s TropWATER Seagrass Ecology Group have been engaged in seagrass monitoring and research programs in the Ports of Cairns, Mourilyan, Karumba and Thursday Island since at least 2001. The monitoring programs involve annual surveys that are conducted between October and December each year (Thursday Island is conducted in February/March).
underpinning major research initatives and our understanding of tropical seagrass ecology. The monitoring programs:
• Provide a regular update of the marine environmental health of the ports
• Satisfy commitments linked to maintenance dredging and sea disposal approvals
• Provide an assessment of seagrass condition and resilience to inform port management.
In addition to monitoring, the program is utilised and leveraged for broader initiatives and contributions for joint research and activities including providing:
• A key information feed and contribution to regional report cards including Wet Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waterways and for Torres Strait Reporting
• A link to Traditional Owner participation in environmental monitoring and research
• A range of value-added seagrass research projects including leveraged funding from Australian Government and industry funded research programs investigating seagrass recovery and restoration
Science evaluation of coastal wetland systems repair projects across GBR catchments (Old ID 23139)
Nathan Waltham
01 Jan 2017 - 10 Mar 2020
There is a lack of scientific data to support and give surety that on-ground wetland repair investment achieve water quality and biodiversity returns in the GBR catchments. Most existing and future wetland improvement projects have the objective of reducing invasive aquatic weeks, improving water quality and increasing usable habitat and marine connectivity for aquatic species, however, scientific data evaluating the degree to which this actually happens is not available. This is particularly true for long-term impacts beyond the first few years of remedial management. Scientific data and long term evaluation methods are therefore particularly necessary to track the progress against broader program objectives, in particular those contained in a number of policies and planning documents.
Advanced passive acoustic monitoring to support evaluation of conservation management effectiveness
Lin Schwarzkopf
08 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2027
This one-year project will build on previous ecoacoustic research to investigate and test methods for applying passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to monitor, evaluate, and report on environmental condition across Commonwealth national parks. The project will focus on both recognizer development and implementation, for successful monitoring.
Harnessing the full potential of genomic data to investigate the adaptability of Southern Ocean benthos to climatic change
Edel Sheerin
10 Jun 2026 - 10 Dec 2027
This project applies the most advanced DNA sequencing technology to investigate the population dynamics of a Southern Ocean benthic invertebrate. The outcome of this extended research includes detecting the past and present day population connectivity patterns with precise detail and uncovering the genomic architecture of the species, thus revealing their adaptability to climate change. This project will inform conservation management strategies for Southern Ocean ecosystems.
Southeast Asian Peatlands as a Natural Climate Solution
Sigit Deni Sasmito
23 Jun 2026 - 23 Dec 2026
The Programme aims to support research and strategic analysis on Peatlands in Southeast Asia in order to strengthen the evidence base for philanthropic engagement in peatland conservation and restoration for climate resilience outcomes across the region. The Programme is intended to generate actionable recommendations and investment pathways for philanthropy and other stakeholders to advance climate adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable livelihoods in Southeast Asia.
Exploring new therapeutic approaches for coeliac disease based on biological effects of hookworm treatment. (Old ID 27271)
Paul Giacomin
01 May 2021 - 30 Nov 2022
We hypothesise that hookworm infection creates an anti-inflammatory environment in the small intestine that favours improved gluten intolerance in coeliac disease, and undersstanding the biological mechanisms that lead to improved gluten intolerance will advance the development of novel theraplies that will not require being infected with live worms. The overall aim of this project is to comprehensively profile the biological responses in the gut and faeces using innovative, complementary techniques (RNA-sequencing, transcriptomic imaging and microbiome analyses) and correlate these changes with improved coeliac disease outcomes.
Exploring Nature Based Economies with the Lama Lama Rangers
Caitlin Smith
01 Aug 2026 - 01 Dec 2027
This project aims to upskill the Lama Lama Rangers to conduct seagrass monitoring using boat based and drone methods. Using the knowledge from these surveys we aim to explore nature based economy and blue carbon opportunities on Lama Lama Sea Country.
Improving Access and Community Trust in Perinatal Genomics for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: the ImpACT-PG project
Pieta Shakes
01 Oct 2025 - 30 Nov 2027
A 2yr MRFF project led by Professor Lisa Hui (University of Melbourne) including 15 Chief Investigators from five organisations and four partner organisations.
There is a critical need to ensure equitable access to perinatal genomic testing for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Australia. Our project adopts a novel, consumer centred approach to address this healthcare gap. By building the evidence base on CALD community experiences of perinatal genomics and developing the translational pathway to more equitable health care, our findings will empower all individuals to make informed decisions and support the well-being of their families.
Project objectives:
1. Obtain new evidence on community values, attitudes, and experiences of perinatal genomics among CALD communities
2. Co-design, develop, and pilot culturally-appropriate, in-language health information resources for CALD individuals about perinatal genomics
3. Examine the ethical, policy and social implications of disparities in access to and experiences with perinatal genomics of CALD communities
4. Build capacity for population-based data collection and future monitoring of perinatal genomic testing in Victoria as a model for other jurisdictions