Research Projects
International Centres of Excellence in Malaria Research (Old ID 20247)
Tom Burkot
01 Jan 2012 - 30 Jun 2017
The ICEMR for the Southwest Pacific is studying the biology of malaria vectors and parasites and how these populations change under the selective pressure of malaria control interventions. The work is being carried out in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Development and implementation of MathBench for Australian Universities to improve quantitative skills of science and mathematics students (Old ID 21655)
Shaun Belward
19 Dec 2013 - 03 Feb 2016
There is international agreement that quantitative skills (QS), the ability to apply mathematical and statistical thinking and reasoning within a given external context, are an essential graduate competence in science. Recent studies have shown a lack of availability of proven QS learning resources. MathBench, a suite of online modules that have been trialled, tested and adapted across several US universities, is a valuable QS learning resource for the US context. The project aim is to develop and implement MathBench as an Innovative online resource, for both desktop and mobile devices, to improve QS of science students at seven Australian universities.
Wetland Restoration Surveys Burdekin Catchment (Old ID 22221)
Nathan Waltham
03 Jul 2015 - 31 Mar 2016
This project will complete freshwater wetland surveys throughout the Burdekin catchment to examine the success of wetland system repair. Field work will include fish, water quality, vegetation, habitat, and macroinvertebrate sampling. A component of this program will include community training, education and workshops. Data generated will be sued in the preparation of promotional material, reports and social media releases.
Laser based diagnostics for STH infections (Old ID 26822)
Paul Giacomin
01 Jan 2020 - 30 Apr 2022
Developing novel laser based methods for rapid diagnosis and quantification of parasitic worm infection in various animal and human biological tissue samples, with the end goal of a point-of-care, rapid and sensitive diagnostic,
Restoring ecosystems from catchment to reef (Old ID 26959)
Nathan Waltham
01 Jan 2020 - 10 Dec 2020
A range of NESP TWQ Hub funded projects have delivered insights into improved ways of restoring and evaluating ecosystem restoration efforts, from catchments through to the reef and other marine environments. This work has mostly focused on sediments, nutrients and freshwater, estuarine and marine wetland restoration in a wide range of projects. The diversity of approaches and contexts in which restoration has occurred, make it very difficult for anyone not intimately associated with the work to appreciate the overall outcomes and learnings. This synthesis will provide the ability to see across this range of projects and outcomes. Synthesis of the outcomes across these projects will provide easy to access practical recommendations for land and sea managers.
Xanthostemon plant essential oils as a valuable renewable resource for medical, agrochemical and healthcare applications. (Old ID 26985)
Michael Oelgemoeller
01 Jul 2021 - 31 Jan 2024
The genus Xanthostemon consists of about fifty plant species and is endemic to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and New Caledonia. Australian essential oils are known to contain β-triketones, which possess broad antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. In contrast, the chemical composition of essential oils from New Caledonian and Papua New Guinean species are unknown. This project will close this gap by harvesting and characterizing essential oils in three tropical countries, identifying and modifying β-triketone constituents and testing these for insecticidal and antibacterial properties. The results will enable local essential oil producers to diversify and add value to their product portfolios.
Deciphering the immune mechanisms of novel TB vaccine candidates in preclinical models of active disease and latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (Old ID 27399)
Andreas Kupz
17 Jun 2021 - 31 May 2025
Tuberculosis kills more people than any other infectious disease, and approximately one third of the world's population is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. New vaccines are needed. These vaccines should be safe and effective against various forms of tuberculosis. This project aims to combine a new mouse model of latent tuberculosis with distinct rabbit models of TB to develop and test new vaccines against TB.
Applying Indigenous and western science knowledges to inform the sustainable management of a dugong and seagrass hotspot in the Girringun TUMRA (Old ID 27853)
Alexandra Carter
28 Nov 2022 - 31 May 2024
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) are deeply concerned about potential threats and reduced resilience for the coastal environment. This project will address knowledge gaps around dugongs and seagrasses that are core to Traditional Owner’s cultural identity and traditional values; critical to the cultural, natural, socio-economic values of the Girringun Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA) and Indigenous Protected Area, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the Hinchinbrook Island Dugong Protection Area. This project is a collaboration between GAC, seagrass and dugong experts from James Cook University, and Charles Darwin University to heal the Reef.
Regional Economic Development Through Creative Industries (Old ID 21751)
Ryan Daniel
01 Nov 2014 - 31 Jan 2016
The creative industries are recognised as a key contributor to both developed and developing economies. Supply and demand factors relevant to this sector remain elusive and under-researched, particularly in relation to regional economies in northern Australia. Using the tropical city of Townsville as a case study, this project seeks to identify and map the current capacity of the creative industries (supply), the use of these services (demand), as well as issues affecting the development and retaining of the creative workforce. One of the key outcomes will be a detailed picture of what impact the supply and demand aspects of creative industries have on regional economies.
Developing hyperspectral drone technology for coral reef bathymetric mapping (Old ID 22931)
Karen Joyce
01 Sep 2016 - 31 Dec 2017
The aim of this project is to develop a rapid and cost-effective technique for mapping shallow water bathymetry in coral reef environments. As water depth and reef structure is an important input for creating benthic habitat models, a robust means for generating this information is required. Current techniques use either coarse resolution satellite images or highly expensive boat-based SONAR. This project will instead use optical measurements obtained from a remotely piloted aircraft system (drone) to provide highly detailed depth measurements. This in turn can be used to calibrate and validate satellite models, and used to scale bathymetry over broader areas.