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Forecasting coral disease outbreaks across the tropical Pacific Ocean using satellite-derived data (Old ID 26648)
The project will develop better models of coral disease outbreak risk across the western tropical Pacific Ocean and embed these into the NOAA Coral Reef Watch decision support system (DSS). The current DSS, at ~50 km SST data, assesses coral disease risk for the Great Barrier Reef and Hawaii for a single disease type. Improvements will be to: increase the spatial resolution to 5 km, and expand to several coral diseases, host species and regions; incorporate short-term SST forecasts; incorporate ocean colour data, where appropriate; and undertake additional targeted coral disease observations.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance facility for Northern Australia (Old ID 21541)
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a fundamentally and critically important technique in the characterisation of organic, inorganic and biological compounds. The purchase of a state-of-the-art instrument at James Cook University and a lower resolution instrument at Charles Darwin University are required to support productive existing research projects, and nurture future projects, in organometallic chemistry and the development of new materials and analytical sensors; organic photochemistry as applied in synthesis and degradation; natural products, pharmaceutical, inorganic chemistry, where multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance is most important and applicable in drug design, development and delivery.
Balclutha Wetland Survey (Old ID 23156)
This project will complete an aquatic ecology survey in Balclutha Springs Nature Reserve with Cape York NRM and WALT Aboriginal Corporation. These data are the first for this nature reserve and will assist in conservation of the wetlands and natural springs that exist in the reserve. Data will also assist WALT Aboriginal Corporation to manage he wetlands from impacts of feral pigs.
COTS Monitoring Design: sample design for science and management decisions (Old ID 27510)
This project uses a combination of desktop and fieldwork to characterise and measure the detection errors associated with various COTS survey tools (e.g. manta tow, glider, eDNA, scooter, cull dives) and will calibrate density estimates across these tools to enable integration of data from multiple sources and programs into COTS Control Program decision-making.
Seagrass Monitoring and Protection in Wuthathi Sea Country (Old ID 27656)
Wuthathi land and sea country in far northern Cape York extends from Captain Billy landing south to Temple Bay and includes Shelburne Bay and Raine Island. JCU will work with Wuthathi rangers to map coastal seagrass habitats in Wuthathi. A range of techniques will be adopted, including helicopter surveys and airborne/spaceborne imagery (UAV drone and satellite) for intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats and drop cameras in deeper subtidal waters. Wuthathi rangers will be trained in seagrass mapping and monitoring techniques to facilitate continued monitoring of seagrass habitats in Wuthathi sea country.
Monitoring the threatened fauna of the Wet Tropics mountains. (Old ID 30024)
The Wet Tropics mountaintops have many endangered species, threatened by climate change, invasive species, and disease. I am monitoring many of these to assess changes in distribution, threats, and potential conservation actions. I am now working on this collaboratively with the Threatened Species Group of Qld Gov. DES. As part of this collaboration, they are providing financial support to keep my monitoring activities going and to start new monitoring. This grant will fund the upland research project that I, and my PhD students, will continue over the coming years.
Bio-molecular studies for improved diagnosis and management of Australian children with fish allergy (Old ID 21592)
Allergy to fish among children is emerging as a significant healthcare issue in Australia and worldwide, with prevalence rates among children with food allergy as high as 16% in Australia. Our strong clinical-laboratory interface, bringing together a highly experienced senior team in the areas of molecular and immunological allergen characterization with leading clinicians in paediatric allergy, will significantly improve the management of fish-allergic children in Australia.
Autumn Technical Support to Enhance Allocative Efficiency of Country Tuberculosis Program (Old ID 22410)
Over late 2015 and all of 2016, develop transmission dynamic models of Tuberculosis and explore cost and impact of different program strategies. Apply to 3 Countries.
Lost at sea? Understanding adaptation and dispersal in spiny lobsters (Old ID 23173)
Continual recruitment of young is fundamental to the replenishment of populations, especially when a stock is fished. Existing theory suggests that species with very long planktonic larval stages disperse widely, ensuring their genes are well mixed. However recently identified genetic differences between populations of rock l;obster challenge this paradigm and demonstrate that despite larvae mixing in the ocean for years, local recruitment and/or adaptation are at play. Recent developments in genomics and bioinformatics will allow this project to understand the ecological processes underpinning these genetic signatures and determine their evolutionary implications. Such findings would direct targeted rebuilding of depleted fisheries stocks.1/1/5
"Money on my Mind": Investigating the Dynamics of Financial Worry (Old ID 26950)
We aim to (1) examine the extent to which financial worry is "dynamic", that is, the extent to which financial worry changes over time within individuals, for instance from week-to-week; (2) examine how intra-individual changes in financial worry associate with intra-individual changes in personal well-being, social and human capital, and labour market behaviour (3) identify moderating factors that mitigate the negative effects of financial worry; that is, factors that may offset the deleterious effects of financial worry and eventually help in breaking the poverty cycle. We will conduct bi-weekly surveys of individuals with various backgrounds, in three countries Netherlands, Belgium and Australia.