Research Projects
The genomics of bleaching tolerance in a hearty, common reef-building coral: Acropora tenuis (Old ID 24824)
Hillary Smith
01 Sep 2018 - 30 Apr 2019
Over the last two years, the Great Barrier Reef has suffered unprecedented coral bleaching, leading to a loss of coral cover and biodiversity. This project aims to quantify the consequences of coral bleaching on adaptive genetic variation. This information can be input to future modelling and resilience management techniques. We will address four major questions: 1) does bleaching lead to a loss of genetic diversity in a stress-tolerant species? 2) What genes and physiological traits are involved in stress tolerance? 3) What gene variants allow survival? And 4) Does migration of mal-adapted larvae hinder local adaptation to extreme heat?
Personal Protective Biosystems - Membranes and commensal helminths (MaCH) (Old ID 26776)
Alex Loukas
15 Apr 2021 - 14 Apr 2026
The proposed work will design a 2-part protective biosystem capable of dramatically reducing the burden of personal protective equipmetn (PPE). The first component consists of a garmetn system with a dynamic, selectively permeable graphene composite barrier laqyer and integrated self-cleaning functionality provided by metal oranic frameworks. The sedon component (including work to be done at JCU) leverages genetic modification of human helminth parasites (hookworms and/or schistosomes) to provide prophylaxis and neutralisation of various chemical and/or biological agents.
Smart Islands Program: Fostering Collaboration between Australians and Polynesians (Old ID 26900)
Florence Boulard
01 Jun 2020 - 31 Jul 2024
This project primarily aims at contributing to the French Polynesian Smart Islands program, a spearhead initiative of the Polynesian Government. Research wise, the objective is to focus on two of the four core pillars of the program: Tourism and the Circular Economy. While applied research and transfer of expertise remain the catalyst of our contribution as a team, the project also involves broader aspects: education to issues specific to the Pacific (e.g. climate change) and student exchanges (DFTA NCP); commercial relations through the French Polynesia Regional Group and institutional partnership with Tahiti Business School, of key importance to diplomatic funding.
Development and characterization of a Novel Zirconia Implant material with enhanced mechanical properties and bio-compatibility (Old ID 27124)
Dileep Sharma
01 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021
Zirconia dental implants have been recently developed as a viable, aesthetic, non-metallic alternative for dental implant fabrication compared to the titanium implants. However, significant challenges have been encountered in acceptance of zirconia implants in clinical practice due to the low fracture resistance inherent within the zirconia material that can lead to structural failure of implant. This has created a need for further research into its crystalline composition and forms to further enhance the mechanical properties of zirconia making it more suitable for dental implants. This study will assess the mechanical and chemical properties of the novel zirconia material developed in our lab and evaluates the effect of various surface modifications on its mechanical properties. Furthermore, cellular interactions that play a vital role in wound healing after placement of implant will be ascertained to promote successful implant osseointegration of novel zirconia dental implants.
Torres Straits Wetlands, Mangroves and Invasive Species (Old ID 23518)
Nathan Waltham
01 Apr 2017 - 30 Jun 2018
Coastal wetlands and mangrove habitat are important for aquatic communities in the Torres Straits. These water environments also provide important food and cultural values for locals. Torres Straits Regional Authority wishes to continue building Land and Sea Ranger capacity to monitor and evaluate condition of wetlands across the Straits. TropWATER will assist with water quality monitoring, invasive animal management, mangrove condition and health assessment, along with preparation of materials for rangers to continue these monitoring programs.
Diabetes Collaborative Evaluation Project (Old ID 23599)
Sarah Larkins
01 Jul 2017 - 30 Jun 2018
The diabetes collaborative is a Continuous quality Improvement (CQI) approach to change that aims to improve health outcomes for patients diagnosed with Diabetes. It involves the introduction of a team-based, sustainable approach to learning whilst providing a sound understanding and application of quality improvement methodology and skills. This project aims to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the WQPHN diabetes collaborative. Expected outcomes of the equation will be a greater understanding of the process of implementation and any changes within participant health services as a result of the collaborative. Evaluation of the program in the rural and remote context of WQPHN will inform on feasibility and effectiveness of this approach.
Micropropagation of Eucalyptus cloeziana chemovar. (Old ID 25089)
Darren Crayn
30 Jun 2018 - 30 Jun 2023
This project will establish a methodology to produce clonal plants of a eucalypt that is being trialled as a natural source of a new insecticide.
Janco Enterprise Pty Ltd (Old ID 26174)
Wei Xiang
20 Sep 2018 - 20 Mar 2019
Machine learning sensor network to maintain optimum conditions and collect data for Molten Oxygen Electrolysis (MOE) reactions. Sensor data collection – Supervisory capacity Machine learning logic for maintaining optimum reaction conditions on a provided hardware network Supervisory capacity Suggestion of industry standards for data collection and fail-safe implementation Suggestion of hardware components and configuration JCU’s scope in this project: Supervise on sensor quality before purchase and calibration logic once installed into PCB Supervise on any errors in the output value and possible causes Supervise on provided network structures for reliably and continuously recording data from multiple sensors to multiple SBC’s to an academic standard Supervise on methods for machine learning collection of data Supervise on methods provided for protecting sensor hardware in extreme conditions Check failsafe methods and data collection failsafes for industry standards requirements Consult on final hardware design for industrial conditional requirements (Industrial standards reports will be gathered prior to consultation, this is a 2nd check precaution) All mathematical modelling, programming, purchasing of hardware and construction shall be completed by JE Pty Ltd
Scoring mangrove indicators for the 2019 Gladstone Harbour Report Card (Old ID 26475)
Norm Duke
26 Apr 2019 - 31 Aug 2019
This 2019 program extends from that in 2018. As before, a wide range of expertise will be used in this environmental management project in the PCPA TUMRA Indigenous Protected Area. This evaluates the multiple threatened marine coastal ecosystems of this Central Queensland region, specifically for each of the 13 zone sub-area zones of the GHHP study area. The program engages JCU tidal wetland science specialists for the better management of shoreline environmental values by reporting of 3 mangrove condition indicators for the 2019 GHHP report card.;
Exploratory study of effects of sample storage/stabilisation on Cu isotope compositions of groundwater, and linkage between groundwater and proximal soil profiles. (Old ID 29017)
Brandon Mahan
16 Jun 2023 - 30 Sep 2023
The aims of this collaborative project between JCU and Geoscience Australia are simple. Geoscience Australia have legacy groundwater samples from active bores through their previous hydrogeochemical surveys (e.g. Northern Australia Hydrogeochemical Survey), where both acidified and unacidified samples have been kept in storage, some for up to several years. Copper concentrations measured at/near the time of sampling are variable, with some being in the sub-ppb range and others significantly higher. For some bores, proximal soil and rock samples are also available. This project will leverage all the above towards the following objectives: 1. Analyse Cu concentrations and isotope compositions for a small cohort of legacy groundwater samples (~10). 2. Analyse Cu isotope compositions in proximity-matched soil/rock samples. Where spatially matched soil and/or core rock samples are available, an additional subset of these solid samples will be processed and analysed to characterize their Cu isotope compositions and compare to that of matched groundwater samples. 3. Collate all results and jointly interpret with Geoscience Australia