Hydrogeological drivers and fate of spring flow in a semi-arid setting. In arid and semi-arid climates, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems often rely on groundwater springs. Spring hydrology depends on complex relationships between underlying aquifers and surface conditions, leading to high uncertainties in understanding aquifer-spring-wetland hydrology, which is critical for spring ecosystem protection and to inform management of relevant groundwater-affecting activities. This project will appl ....Hydrogeological drivers and fate of spring flow in a semi-arid setting. In arid and semi-arid climates, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems often rely on groundwater springs. Spring hydrology depends on complex relationships between underlying aquifers and surface conditions, leading to high uncertainties in understanding aquifer-spring-wetland hydrology, which is critical for spring ecosystem protection and to inform management of relevant groundwater-affecting activities. This project will apply novel hydrogeophysical and hydrochemical methods, and computer modelling, to investigate the source aquifer of, and fate of discharge from the Doongmabulla Springs Complex (DSC), located in an area of future development. Project results will inform spring vulnerability to development pressures and climate effects.Read moreRead less
Next-generation models to predict cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms. This project aims to address the need for improved predictions of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) harmful algal blooms. Accurate predictions of blooms with computer models are important to support management strategies to prevent their occurrence. This project is expected to generate new knowledge of strain-level variation in cyanobacteria that leads to toxic blooms. This project will lead to new knowledge of the significance ....Next-generation models to predict cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms. This project aims to address the need for improved predictions of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) harmful algal blooms. Accurate predictions of blooms with computer models are important to support management strategies to prevent their occurrence. This project is expected to generate new knowledge of strain-level variation in cyanobacteria that leads to toxic blooms. This project will lead to new knowledge of the significance of strain-level variation in cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms, how strains influence toxin production and models for prediction of bloom and toxins. The project will generate significant benefits for water security for the purposes human consumption and recreation, and ecosystem health.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101424
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,469.00
Summary
Conservation agriculture for aquatic wildlife in dams and wetlands. This project aims to investigate the capacity of farm dam management strategies to simultaneously support nature conservation and agricultural production. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of conservation biology and sustainable agriculture by using experiments that identify the interdependence of cattle grazing and habitat quality of wetlands. Anticipated outcomes include a framework for evaluating mana ....Conservation agriculture for aquatic wildlife in dams and wetlands. This project aims to investigate the capacity of farm dam management strategies to simultaneously support nature conservation and agricultural production. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of conservation biology and sustainable agriculture by using experiments that identify the interdependence of cattle grazing and habitat quality of wetlands. Anticipated outcomes include a framework for evaluating management strategies in terms of their dual capacity to support aquatic wildlife and livestock production. Significant benefits include increased productivity through the improved management of wetlands and dams on farms and the recogniton of undervalued conservation resources.Read moreRead less
Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated c ....Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated compounds, will inform handling of contaminated sites and lead to development of cost effective and sustainable remediation technologies. Read moreRead less
A novel modelling approach for understanding wildlife disease dynamics. This project aims to develop a novel framework for field wildlife disease systems, applied to chytrid fungal infection of an endangered frog species as a case study. The project expects to develop models able to be applied to many disease systems, improve understanding of host resistance and tolerance to infection, and improve capacity for mitigation of emerging infectious diseases. This work should have international impac ....A novel modelling approach for understanding wildlife disease dynamics. This project aims to develop a novel framework for field wildlife disease systems, applied to chytrid fungal infection of an endangered frog species as a case study. The project expects to develop models able to be applied to many disease systems, improve understanding of host resistance and tolerance to infection, and improve capacity for mitigation of emerging infectious diseases. This work should have international impact and provide significant national benefits in ensuring the conservation of Australia’s biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Cause and effect: new mechanisms of particles formation in thunderstorms. This project aims to identify meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle formation and alteration during thunderstorms. How thunderstorms develop is well-understood. However, identifying meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle alteration during a thunderstorm is still not clear. This project will practically contribute to the evidence of the impact of air particulates, thereby having dire ....Cause and effect: new mechanisms of particles formation in thunderstorms. This project aims to identify meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle formation and alteration during thunderstorms. How thunderstorms develop is well-understood. However, identifying meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle alteration during a thunderstorm is still not clear. This project will practically contribute to the evidence of the impact of air particulates, thereby having direct implications for meteorological, and air pollution policy in Australia and worldwide. This project will allow researchers to understand the impact of these factors on the escalation of the causative effects, and to find a way to prevent unnecessary fatal outcomes.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100490
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,742.00
Summary
Understanding infection tolerance to improve management of wildlife disease. This project aims to investigate tolerance (the ability to limit the detrimental effects of infection) as a key animal defence strategy against disease. It focuses on diseases in natural systems, using the devastating amphibian fungal skin disease, chytridiomycosis, as a model. Expected outcomes include improved understanding of the relative importance of tolerance and resistance, and insight into the key immune and phy ....Understanding infection tolerance to improve management of wildlife disease. This project aims to investigate tolerance (the ability to limit the detrimental effects of infection) as a key animal defence strategy against disease. It focuses on diseases in natural systems, using the devastating amphibian fungal skin disease, chytridiomycosis, as a model. Expected outcomes include improved understanding of the relative importance of tolerance and resistance, and insight into the key immune and physiologic mechanisms underlying variations in tolerance. Anticipated benefits include improved strategies for mitigating infectious wildlife diseases via identifying targets for therapeutic interventions, ecological management and assisted-evolution strategies. This project should also benefit amphibian conservation globally.Read moreRead less
Atomic-Scale Engineering of Bioactive Organic Molecules on Surfaces. Advances in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) have enabled the precise engineering of matter at surfaces. The ability to image and track changes at surfaces is simply staggering, but the frontier of molecules with pharmaceutical and agrichemical importance remains unexplored. This interdisciplinary project aims to synthesise fundamental molecules and reveal molecular rearrangement pathways utilising SPM. Expected outcomes of this ....Atomic-Scale Engineering of Bioactive Organic Molecules on Surfaces. Advances in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) have enabled the precise engineering of matter at surfaces. The ability to image and track changes at surfaces is simply staggering, but the frontier of molecules with pharmaceutical and agrichemical importance remains unexplored. This interdisciplinary project aims to synthesise fundamental molecules and reveal molecular rearrangement pathways utilising SPM. Expected outcomes of this project include new methods to couple molecules otherwise unobtainable by traditional means and fundamental knowledge of molecular manipulation and chemical structure. This aims to provide significant benefits, such as the translation of new chemical principles to academic and industrial laboratories.Read moreRead less
Developing a new class of RNA delivery vehicle using synthetic virology. This project aims to develop robust protein cages derived from the empty shells of viruses, or capsids, to protect and deliver sensitive cargo such as RNA in agricultural settings. It will do so by directed evolution of non-infectious capsids in the lab. This will uncover the molecular mechanisms underpinning the response of viruses to chemical and biological signals and create a new class of RNA delivery vehicle. This synt ....Developing a new class of RNA delivery vehicle using synthetic virology. This project aims to develop robust protein cages derived from the empty shells of viruses, or capsids, to protect and deliver sensitive cargo such as RNA in agricultural settings. It will do so by directed evolution of non-infectious capsids in the lab. This will uncover the molecular mechanisms underpinning the response of viruses to chemical and biological signals and create a new class of RNA delivery vehicle. This synthetic biology approach combines virology and protein engineering to establish a platform biotechnology for stable and effective delivery. The project expects to demonstrate the potential of nature’s nanoparticles, virus capsids, to enhance the efficacy of RNA technologies in a wide range of applications.Read moreRead less