College of Science & Engineering

Sophia Love

Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)
sophie.love@jcu.edu.au

Elle Robertson

Doctor of Philosophy (Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies)
elle.robertson@jcu.edu.au

Jenny Fisher

Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching
jenny.fisher@jcu.edu.au

Ambili Narayanan

Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)
ambili.narayanan@my.jcu.edu.au

Douchan Hanuise

Doctor of Philosophy (Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies)
douchan.hanuise@my.jcu.edu.au

Thomas Napier

Doctor of Philosophy (Information Technology)
thomas.napier@jcu.edu.au

Sarah Lawless

AIMS@JCU Research Fellow: Ocean Governance
sarah.lawless@jcu.edu.au

Alex McCoy-West

Senior Lecturer, Exploration Geochemistry
alex.mccoywest@jcu.edu.au

David Blair

Adjunct Professor
david.blair@jcu.edu.au

Dugong population genetic services to Parque Nacional do Arquipélago do Barzaruto, Moçambique - 2

Eva Paulus - College of Science & Engineering

02 Jan 2025 - 01 Feb 2028

Provision of research support to estimate genetic diversity and assess changing population sizes on 15 dugong tissue samples (11 skin, 4 tissue) collected from Moçambique. The work will include DNA extractions, genomic sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, and interpretation in a written report. The work is designed to enable comparison with existing estimates of dugong genetic diversity and population size changes. Specific bioinformatic analyses include: Genetic diversity estimates - heterozygosity - genome-wide nucleotide diversity - runs of homozygosity (inbreeding indicator) Population size change estimates - Tajima’s D - Multi sequential Markovian Coalescent analyses - Gone analyses (to estimate recent effective population size changes)

Electron scattering and transport for plasma-liquid interactions (Old ID 23301)

Ron White - College of Science & Engineering

08 Mar 2018 - 31 Jul 2022

The project addresses the emerging technologies associated with the interaction of plasmas with liquids and biological matter, including plasma medicine. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the role of electron-induced processes through the development of complete and accurate sets of microscopic cross- sections for electrons with biomolecules within tissue. This microscopic data will inform new microscopic models for non equilibrium electron transport in liquids and biological matter, and its coupling to plasmas. The expected outcomes of this project include progress towards the optimization of safety/efficacy of future generation plasma medicine devices through detailed understanding of plasma-biological tissue interactions.

EarthBank: An Australian geochemistry network activity enabling the analysis, preservation and discoverability of nationally significant Earth & environmental collections

Alex McCoy-West - College of Science & Engineering

01 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2028

This project will fund an Earthbank scientist to contribute to the expansion of the Earthbank database and build capacity in earth and environmental sciences.

Frantz Magnetic Separator

Alex McCoy-West - College of Science & Engineering

01 Jun 2025 - 31 Dec 2025

A Frantz Magnetic Separator is a fundamental piece of equipment for efficient mineral separation, by enabling separation of heavy minerals using their magnetic properties. This instrument directly contributes to workflows for geochemical analyses and geochronology being undertake in the AAC and supports critical minerals research at JCU.

Understanding the ecology and behaviour of platypus in far North Queensland

Sophia Love - College of Science & Engineering

01 Aug 2025 - 01 Apr 2028

Our study seeks to understand the ecology and behaviour of genetically isolated and understudied platypuses in far north Queensland. While platypuses were classified as “near threatened” by the IUCN in 2016, most research has been confined to populations in NSW and Victoria. Far north Queensland uniquely hosts platypuses in a predominantly rainforest environment, yet formal region-specific ecological knowledge is lacking. To address this, we aim to 1) assess the presence and relative abundance of platypuses in the Atherton Tablelands, 2) quantify population demographics, and 3) quantify local resource availability and quantify carrying capacity. These efforts will help us establish a baseline understanding of the population’s overall health and longevity and cultivate a more nuanced understanding of the population’s unique characteristics and life history. Developing such knowledge is critical to informing current and future regional management and conservation efforts of this iconic Australian species in a rainforest biome. This project will work closely with local stake holders and conservation efforts, mainly Dulguburra Yidinji traditional owners and the Yungaburra Landcare Group who share a vested interest in the project’s findings.