Research Projects
Filters for Projects
Research Units
Traditional Bush Foods in the Top End - Can they prevent chronic disease? (Old ID 26561)
This project will document the traditional uses of 9 key plants sold by the Corporation in Maningrida (with ethnobotanists from the NT Herbarium), perform a detailed analysis of their nutrient profile including phenolic and flavonoid content and anti-oxidant analysis with UniSA scientists.
Understanding long-term Indigenous uses of the Great Barrier Reef: Re-excavating the Freshwater Bay Midden, Lizard Island (Old ID 27472)
This project aims to document Aboriginal Late Holocene use of Great Barrier Reef offshore islands through the re-excavation of Freshwater Bay Midden on Lizard Island. After extensive physical surveys and recording of cultural places across the Lizard Island Group over the past decade it has been determined that Freshwater Bay Midden is the only remaining site with significant sub-surface deposits intact that has not yet been excavated using modern archaeological techniques. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive framework from which to consider offshore island use in northeast Australia, as well as documenting the dynamic history of Lizard Island occupation.
Microanalytical Facility Supporting Resources Development and Manufacturing (Old ID 27524)
The project aims to establish a state-of-the-art electron probe microanalysis facility enabling accurate chemical analysis to be undertaken at the micro-scale. It is expected to provide new knowledge and support applied research on a range of natural, synthetic and processed materials that will deeply impact advancements in the fields of metals processing and recycling, Earth and environmental science, and the development of materials for a healthier society. It will support ARC funded and industry engaged research enhancing the minerals exploration, mining and metallurgical industries and inform sustainable practice. It will also provide the key research infrastructure to enhance Australia’s research leadership in these fields.
Monitoring the distribution and abundance of dugongs (and in-water, large marine turtles) within the GBRWHA using a combined aerial observer and imagery approach (Old ID 27811)
This project aims to: (1) to monitor the trends in the abundance and distribution of dugongs within the GBRWHA and (2) contribute to the transition to the use of novel imagery survey technologies to enhance survey methods and accuracy in abundance estimates. The project will be conducted in five main stages which will include: the development of a Traditional Owners engagement strategy and the drafting and submitting regulatory permit applications (stage 1), the development of the survey design and data collection protocols and undertake observer training (stage 2), conduct the dugong observer surveys and imagery experimental work within the GBRWHA (stage 3) and the production of a final report including summary of all survey report findings and advice about the implications of the findings for the conservation and management of dugongs and large marine turtles within the GBRWHA (stage 4).
Island Arks GBR Regional Ecosystem mapping (Old ID 27874)
The Queensland Government has committed to expand Queensland’s protected area estate on islands in the GBR. To deliver this commitment, the Great Barrier Reef Island Arks Acquisition Project has been established. This project will contribute information on regional ecosystems of selected islands targeted for acquisition, providing improved conservation outcomes, opportunities to work with Traditional Owners to co-manage key ecological and cultural sites, and promote new ecotourism offerings.
Evaluation of functional feed additives to control diseases of importance in aquaculture species in Singapore & the tropics
Aim: Evaluation of functional feed additives to control diseases of importance in aquaculture species in Singapore & the tropics. Specific feed
additives to be tested 1. Medium chain organic acids for improved gut health in fry at weaning and early nursery fish, and 2. Monoglycerides
to improve resistance against virus in late nursery and early stage grow-out fish. 2 Phase Study 1. Trial organic acids in weaning and early
nursery diet @Allegro 2. Mono-glycerides late nursery and early grow-out stage fingerlings at SAT. Select functional feeds will be evaluated
in weaned and early nursery fish at Allegro, and late nursery/ early grow-out at SAT, using a combination of growth rates, FCRs,
histopathology, haematology, transcriptomics (gene expression), qPCR of tissue and environmental samples, host and environmental
microbiome analyses.
Investigating the Link between Mineralised Shear Zones and Subsurface Granites for Rare Earth Element Exploration in Australia: A Geophysical Study of the Mary Kathleen Syncline
$10,000 grant from the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists Research Foundation paid to Peter Betts at Monash University, which is being transferred to Melanie Finch at James Cook University to engage and supervise her PhD student Alanis Olesch-Byrne to complete the Research Project, providing logistic support for field work and supervision expertise related to the geology of the region.
Building the capabilities of mid-level health service managers in leading and supporting the health workforce (Old ID 30050)
Building the capabilities of and empowering hospital mid-level managers in fulfilling their management responsibilities can improve quality care provision, maximise service efficiency and improve retention. Via an evidence-based process, the project will capture the strengths and identify weaknesses of mid-level managers and confirm factors that affect building such capabilities. The project will guide partner organisations in developing mechanism to tackle isolation and lack of support experienced by mid-level managers from widely- spread regional and rural locations, ultimate improving retention and resulting in better leadership to manage and support care managers and staff.
Supercharging barramundi production through advanced selective breeding for improved disease resistance, growth and fillet traits
Barramundi, or Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer, is the major aquaculture species farmed in Singapore and has wide consumer acceptance
due to its white, firm flesh. The barramundi currently farmed in Singapore, however, have not been significantly improved through
simultaneous selection to be resistant to major diseases (like scale drop disease), faster growth, or fillet characteristics. This project will use
gold standard breeding methodologies that utilise genomics, industrial-scale phenotyping and cutting-edge digital technologies to select for
barramundi that are more productive, have whiter flesh and possess a lower risk to farming due to disease in Singaporean waters.
Outcomes from the project will be barramundi that have average survival to scale drop disease of 60%, grow 15% faster, and have
increased fillet yields and white flesh colouration.
Re-Curating the Tropics in the era of climate change: Indigenous relationships with natural science collections in the Queensland Museum (Old ID 23071)
That Aboriginal people have made significant contributions to natural science collections in museums is little known and poorly understood. We explore relationships between natural species collectors and Aboriginal people who often helped create those collections. Our focus is no culturally significant tropical species in museum collections and how these species are represented in artefact collections. We will explore ideas about environmental change evidenced in museum practices (collecting, archiving, curating) and Aboriginal artists' responses to these ways of representing nature. In collaboration with Aboriginal artists and curators, we will begin to develop an analytical exhibition concerning environmental change in the tropics.