Higher Degree Research Candidates

 

The Higher Degree Research candidates in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, come from a diverse range of disciplines, backgrounds and career stages, pursuing research across agriculture, engineering, environmental science, information technology, marine science and veterinary science. Together, they are advancing knowledge and tackling challenges that range from sustainable food production and ecosystem health to emerging technologies, animal wellbeing and resilient communities.

 

 

Name Primary Supervisor Topic
Anjum, Fatima Prof Terry Rose Establishing critical soil Cu and Zn concentrations for subtropical pasture species on basalt-derived soils
Asharp, Thusalini Dr Mustafa Ucgul Optimisation of inclusion plate geometry in vertosol soil
Barker, Regan Dr Lei (Ben) Liu Pre-breeding for Low Methyl Eugenol in Tea Tree Oil
Cassidy, Mia Dr John Grant Understanding barriers to private timber plantation investment in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales
Cooper, Mollie Prof Terry Rose An investigation into arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in root of wild Macadamia tetraphylla
Daley, Kaitlyn Dr Jay Anderson Ecological drivers of disease spread in horticultural tree crops
Dalla Rosa, Elisa Dr Jay Anderson Etiology of leaf drop and prospects for resistance breeding in tea tree
Dang, Thi Thu Thuy Dr John Grant What does sustainable macadamia development look like in Lam Dong province, Vietnam?
Deurinck, Jessica Dr Cooper Schouten Evaluation of honey bee breeding programs: Genetic, socio-economic and market perspectives for sustainable beekeeping
Emery, Reid Prof Nigel Andrew Understanding the biology of soapberry bugs in macadamia orchards to implement pest management
Enguwa, Kuume Dr Abraham Gibson Relationships between soil health and infiltration in Australian Broadacre Cropping Systems
Fabella, Jermaine Marie Ann Dr Lei Liu Comprehensive Lipidomic Analysis of Lipids in Green Coffee Beans, Roasted Beans and Brewed Coffee
Ficova, Gabriela Prof Terry Rose Resolving nutrient and carbohydrate dynamics in semi-dwarf and tall coffee cultivars and the effect of plant growth regulators on growth and bean yields
Ghising, Parbati Prof Nigel Andrew The impacts of mealy bug on crop pasture dieback
Hardy, Daniel Dr Mustafa Ucgul Innovative Sound-Based Sensor Drones for Biotic Stressor Detection in Macadamia Nut Crops
Khoudair, Samuel Dr Lei Liu Coffee Quality Modelling Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Machine Learning.
Li, Yingrui Dr Tobias Kretzschmar Optimizing Phosphorus Utilization in Macadamia-What are the external and internal factors that drive Phosphorus-Responsive Cluster Root Formation in Macadamia integrifolia?
Lusanta, Dhenber Prof Andrew Rose Industrial hemp in Australia: Sustainability assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) in Cropping Practices and Product Supply Chains
Magat, Monaliza Dr Szabolcs Lehoczki-Krsjak Unravelling the genetic architecture of blast resistance and drought tolerance in Australian-bred Rice (Oryza sativa L) Varieties
McGuinness, Evanna Dr Abraham Gibson Subsoil carbon and nitrogen dynamic under perennial pasture grazing systems of the northern rivers
Page, Jean Dr Jay Anderson Impacts of Logging on Fungal Biodiversity and Indigenous Mycological Knowledge in the Solomon Islands.
Sadati, Seyyed Hamid Assoc Prof Michael Rose Geospatial analytics to predict risk of herbicide residues on crop growth and yield
Sheppy, Julian Prof Bradley Eyre Greenhouse gas emissions from small agricultural ponds
Siazon, Paolo Miguel Dr Jos Mieog Heads Up - Exploring the Dynamics Between Trichome Head and Stalk Tissues in Cannabis Trichome Function
Siazon, Stephen Eunice Dr Tobias Kretzschmar Determining the genetic basis of agronomic traits and monoecy in Cannabis sativa L. through Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Mapping
Thompson, Hayden Prof Terry Rose The impact of temporary legume intercropping on soil water balance and wheat yields
Tomaz Ratke, Luis Paulo Assoc Prof Michael Rose Novel amendments and fertilisers for climate-smart cotton cropping systems
Visser, Juliana Dr Jos Mieog Exploring the potential of terpene extract spray for pest management in cannabis

Name Primary Supervisor Topic
Achmad, Khamsiah Prof Amanda Reichelt-Brushett Microplastics in the marine environment of North Maluku Province, Indonesia, with consideration of mitigation options
Assefa Gettie, Yared Prof Renaud Joannes-Boyau Exploring the (co)variation of dental tissues and cortical bone in fossil hominins: Ontogenetic, taxonomic and evolutionary implications
Bailey, Neal Prof Edward Burton Arsenic-coprecipitated schwertmannite transformation under conditions that favor a K-jarosite endmember
Callaghan, John Dr Debra Stokes Effects on koala behaviour, habitat use, health and survival associated with a largescale koala translocation and monitoring program
Chung, Suet Wah Sheena Dr David Abrego Marine foundation species and temperature extremes in a changing climate
Cooper, Mollie Prof Terry Rose A investigation into arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in root of wild Macadamia tetraphylla
Cramb, Scott Dr Luke Jeffrey Bark-dwelling microbes and their interactions with trace greenhouse gases
Das, Adhwaith Prof Andrew Rose Enhancing Biomethane production from Anaerobic Digestion of organic residues using Hydrochar
Dittmann, Johannes Dr Luke Jeffrey Unravelling the drivers and dynamics of methane emissions from tree stems
Felton, Ryan Assoc Prof Joanne Oakes Metabolism in Intermittent Streams
Fernando, Wasana Prof Edward Burton Removal of Hexavalent Chromium from aqueous solutions using modified bauxite refinery residues (MBRR) Bauxsol™
Galstaun, Leslie Assoc Prof Judith Rosentreter Beyond Boundaries: Quantifying carbon dynamics across a mangrove-seagrass-coral Reef Ecosystem Continuum
Gomez Álvarez, Paula Prof Damien Maher Cryptic nitrogen fixation in tree bark, a new frontier in the global nitrogen cycle
Guyat, Joshua Dr Douglas Tait Tracking the input, source and fate of nitrogen in riverine and coastal environments using novel nitrogen isotope methodologies
Hafsari, Ni Luh Gde Dyah Mega Prof Renaud Joannes-Boyau Hominin Environments Reconstructed (HER): An investigation of chronology, geochemistry, and palaeoenvironment of Homo erectus in Middle Pleistocene Java
Harrison, Luke Prof Charles Lemckert The role of regional meteorology and oceanography in mass coral bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef
Hopkins, Billie Dr Luke Jeffrey Hidden Fungi, Hidden Fluxes: Uncovering Fungal Drivers of Methane in Wetland Forests
Joling, Tijs Assoc Prof Joanne Oakes Effects of elevated nutrients on nitrogen cycling in seagrass beds
Kashiri, Nyasha Prof Andrew Rose Life Cycle Analysis of RESIN8 for Plastic Waste Recycling into the Circular Economy
Kipnusu, Evagzard Prof Damien Maher Resolving Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Australian Water Reservoirs
Lassandro, Marco Dr David Newell Translocations as a tool for amphibian conservation
Londhe, Pretty Prof Dirk Erler Development and validation of next generation microalgae growth systems for high-value product development from wastewater
Mackenzie, Derek Prof Damien Maher Physical And Biogeochemical Processes In Freshwater Tidal Rivers Addressing Key Knowledge Gaps Impeding The Development Of The Risk-Based Framework
Miller, Graeme Prof Edward Burton Chemistry, solubility and bioavailability of lead contamination in smelter-impacted soils and treatment with industrial residues
Mohammadi, Sedigheh Prof Edward Burton Antimony and arsenic co-uptake and retention by schwertmannite
Moola, Santosh Narshima Prathap Prof Dirk Erler Understanding the biogeochemistry of enhanced weathering of basalt
Morris, Shaun Prof Christian Sanders Examining pre and post flood sedimentary carbon and nutrient capture in a macrophyte reformed nursery
Mostofa, Md Nahin Prof Dirk Erler Transforming residues from meat processing into engineered soil amendments
Nebel, Micha Prof Bradley Eyre Greenhouse gas emissions from non-perennial streams
Padilla Montalvo, James Dr Douglas Tait The influence of groundwater discharge on nutrient and greenhouse gas dynamics at the terrestrial-coastal interface
Page, Jean Dr Jay Anderson Impacts of Logging on Fungal Biodiversity and Indigenous Mycological Knowledge in the Solomon Islands
Rana, Anju Prof Bradley Eyre Modelling Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from dry and flooded drylands in Australia
Reyes Hidalgo, Sonia Prof Renaud Joannes-Boyau Paleoecological Reconstruction and Chronological Framework of the Lang Trang Cave Complex, Vietnam
Samberg, Stony Prof Bradley Eyre Greenhouse gas flux from dryland floodplains of the Kati Thanda Lake Eyre Basin
Schneider Garcia, Julieta Assoc Prof Kai Schulz Investigating potential co-benefits and risks of concrete waste for ocean alkalinity enhancement
Sfredo Cavaca, Ana Luiza Prof Damien Maher Post-2022 Flood Landslide Mapping and Sediment Analysis in the Lismore Catchment, NSW
Sheppy, Julian Prof Bradley Eyre Greenhouse gas emissions from small agricultural pond
Slater, Benjamin Prof Christian Sanders Carbon, nutrient and pollutant accumulation mapping throughout a coastal creek catchment
Sotelo Castan, Gabriela Dr John Grant Restoring More Than Trees: The Need for Comprehensive Understorey Rehabilitation in Koala Habitats
Sun, Xiaoshen Dr Daniel Harrison Investigating Aerosol-Cloud-Interaction with Respect to Marine Cloud Brightening Over the Great Barrier Reef
Van Haastregt, Britte Prof Bradley Eyre Nitrogen cycling and nitrous oxide emissions from tidal wetlands
White, Edward Prof Nigel Andrew Multispecies Dynamics of Dung Beetles in Managed Grassland
Yuwono, Pratiwi Prof Renaud Joannes-Boyau Mortuary practices, health, and diet of insular Wallacean populations since the Austronesian expansion

Name Primary Supervisor Topic
Bennett, Joshua Prof Symon Dworjanyn Bivalve Reproduction and Spawning of Two Commercially Important Species for Aquaculture
Bonilla, Katya Prof Peter Harrison Community structure, reproductive output, and physiological responses of scleractinian corals exposed to varying levels of multiple stressors in northwestern Philippines
Bratton, Taylor Assoc Prof Steven Purcell CITES Listing of Sea Cucumbers: Implementation, Livelihoods and Trade in the Western Indian Ocean
Budden, Claire Prof Brendan Kelaher Drone-based sampling and AI analysis of rocky shore biodiversity
Cappa, Paolo Prof Brendan Kelaher Spatial and behavioural ecology of key shark species along the eastern Australian coast
Debere, Nicholas Dr Debra Stokes The ecology of marine turtles (Chelonioidea) in northern New South Wales
Edullantes, Christine Mae Prof Peter Harrison Reproductive Patterns of Corals in Different Biogeographic Regions in the Philippines
Gooden, Adrienne Prof Renaud Joannes-Boyau Spying on white sharks: uncovering the drivers of white shark behaviour and movement
Gray, Benjamin Prof Kirsten Benkendorff Assessment of the interactive effects of climate change, floods and discard stress on the commercially important Mud Crab (Scylla serrata) and Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus armatus)
Haskell, Jasmine Prof Bradley Eyre Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) emissions from corals under stress
Hendrickson, Conor Prof Brendan Kelaher Investigation of coral shading as a mass bleaching intervention tool
Hess, Nathaniel Prof Kirsten Benkendorff Examining Sediment Quality Remediation Potential of Oyster Aquaculture in New South Wales Estuaries
Ibrahim, Nizam Prof Peter Harrison Enhancing Coral Reef Resilience through Reef-based Larval Restoration in the Huvadhu, Maldives
Islami, Muhammad Prof Kirsten Benkendorff Post-flood impact and recovery on macrobenthic fauna in estuaries on the North Coast of NSW
Joling, Tijs Assoc Prof Joanne Oakes Effects of elevated nutrients on nitrogen cycling in seagrass beds
Kaplan, Elizabeth Dr David Abrego Investigating Holobiont Performance and Symbiont Persistence when Juvenile Corals are Inoculated with Multiple Phenotypically Diverse Symbiodiniaceae Cultures
Klaas, Christopher Prof Kirsten Benkendorff The feasibility of shellfish reef restoration with the leaf oyster (Isognomon ephippium)
Lawson, Corinne Prof Symon Dworjanyn Ecological drivers of the transition of Crown of Thorns Starfish to their adult coral diet
Ligson, Charlon Prof Peter Harrison The Coral CompResto: A complementary coral restoration approach that combines asexual and sexual methods to restore degraded coral habitats
Mackenzie, Derek Prof Damien Maher Physical And Biogeochemical Processes In Freshwater Tidal Rivers Addressing Key Knowledge Gaps Impeding The Development Of The Risk-Based Framework
Maclennan, Stuart Dr Daniel Harrison The viability of electrospray for Marine Cloud Brightening
Micke, Patrick Dr Emily Howells Evolutionary potential of Platygyra daedalea to adapt to climate warming
Monteforte, Kim Prof Brendan Kelaher Using drone technologies for shark research, conservation and management
Morris, Shaun Prof Christian Sanders Examining pre and post flood sedimentary carbon and nutrient capture in a macrophyte reformed nursery
Motamednejad, Ali Dr Daniel Harrison Nozzle-Based Aerosol Generation Systems for Marine Cloud Brightening: Experiments on Geometry, Operation, and Hybridisation
Padilla Montalvo, James Dr Douglas Tait The influence of groundwater discharge on nutrient and greenhouse gas dynamics at the terrestrial-coastal interface
Philp, Amanda Prof Kirsten Benkendorff Potential contaminants and stress markers in sea turtles on mid-north coast
Pinto, Aurora Prof Bradley Eyre Spatial variability of carbonate sediment dissolution across the Great Barrier Reef under ocean acidification
Quasunella, Amanda Prof Bradley Eyre Spatial and Seasonal Variability in Dissolved Oxygen Across the Great Barrier Reef
Rae, David Prof Symon Dworjanyn Improving the survival of hatchery reared fingerlings released into wild fisheries
Ralph, Christopher Prof Damien Maher Carbon and alkalinity cycling from river to reef
Rouxel, Jean-baptiste Dr Lei Liu Optobiomics: Development novel sensor system for Ai automation of Algaculture
Serafini, Valeria Prof Peter Harrison Abundance, distribution and threats to inshore dolphins in the Northern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Taylor, Melanie Prof Christian Sanders Macroalgae contribution to contaminant cycling along the coastal catchment continuum
Williams, Amanda Dr David Abrego Assessment of chimera-symbiont interactions on early survival and growth and how symbiont-coral interaction influences the heat tolerance of Acropora kenti and Platygyra daedalea
Wooster, Michael Dr Emily Howells Phenotypic signatures of temperature tolerance in corals on the Great Barrier Reef

Name Primary Supervisor Topic
Azad, Mohammad Dr Ali Reza Alaei Person and Scene Identification from Reflected Images Using Deep Learning Models
Bond, Josephine Dr Ali Reza Alaei Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to model the material flows of textile waste supply chains and support improved Circular Economy (CE) outcomes
Clark, David Dr Golam Sorwar Continued Use Intention and Acceptance of Artificially Intelligent Verbal Interactivity with Virtual Patients in Mixed Reality for Health Education: A Mixed Method Quasi-Experimental Study
Doulabian, Shahab Dr Guoyang Fu Enhancing Modelling Efficiency in Flood Forecasting
Etman, Ehab Prof Charles Lemckert High-Fidelity vs. Low-Fidelity display VR/AI Safety Training for Scaffolding construction workers
Kuhaneswaran, Banujan Dr Golam Sorwar An Integrated Spatio-Temporal Deep Learning Approach Using Graph Attention Transformer Networks to Improve Medium-Term Lead Time Flood Forecasting in Australian River Systems  A Case Study on Tweed and Richmond River Catchment
Kumarasinghe, Kumara Widanelage Amindu Kaushal Assoc Prof Vinh Bui Bridging the Gap Between AI-Generated Synthetic Skin Cancer Images and Clinical Application: A Robust Evaluation Framework
Ma, Xuzhe Prof Haifeng Shen iLearnVet: An Intelligent Tutoring System for Personalised Veterinary Education
Nguyen, Duc Thanh Assoc Prof Vinh Bui Integrating Learning Theories into Generative Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
Nguyen, Hau Assoc Prof Vinh Bui Design and evaluation of an AI-driven sustainability scoring framework for digital reward systems
Shafi, Mohammad Abdullah Al Dr Golam Sorwar Transforming Data into Warning: Advanced Machine Learning Models for Short-term Flood Warning
Sosnin, Andrei Dr Ali Reza Alaei AI-driven prediction of material flows in the circular economy
Wang, Qin Dr Ruitao Feng Fast, Auditable Triage of Retired EV Batteries: Self-Supervised, Physics-Guided Diagnostics with Decision Support

Name Primary Supervisor Topic
Abedi Sarvestani, Hassan Dr Mustafa Ucgul Flexural performance of the strengthened timber beams with tensile FRP composite
Asharp, Thusalini Dr Mustafa Ucgul Optimisation of inclusion plate geometry in vertosol soil
Bonsu, Martinson Dr Lachlan Yee Recycled Polymers with fire resistance
Boukaka, Exhaussee Prof Andrew Rose Chemical methods for organic phosphorus removal from wastewater
Doulabian, Shahab Dr Guoyang Fu Enhancing Modelling Efficiency in Flood Forecasting
Ganavarapu, Naga Veera Mohan Kumar Prof Charles Lemckert Human-Centric and Digitally Enabled Industrial Engineering in the Industry 5.0 Era: A Construction Industry Perspective
Hardy, Daniel Dr Mustafa Ucgul Innovative Sound-Based Sensor Drones for Biotic Stressor Detection in Macadamia Nut Crops
Howarth, Ayden Prof Renaud Joannes-Boyau Improving Radiological Safety of Patients and Staff in Medical Imaging Through Retrofitted Design Modifications
Huang, Weiqing Dr Ali Reza Alaei Business Objectives Focussed Maintenance Decision Modelling for Railway Infrastructure Assets Using Hybrid MCDM and Machine Learning Methods
Iyagbaye, Eghosa Prof Charles Lemckert Elucidating water-spreading behaviour from a swinging dual gate lock
Maclennan, Stuart Dr Daniel Harrison The viability of electrospray for Marine Cloud Brightening
Maizey, Alan Prof Charles Lemckert Repurposing Buildings and the Benefit of BIM in the Processes
Motamednejad, Ali Dr Daniel Harrison Nozzle-Based Aerosol Generation Systems for Marine Cloud Brightening: Experiments on Geometry, Operation, and Hybridisation
Poudel, Ravi Prof Charles Lemckert Rotating Airflow Control Devices for Thermal Comfort in Retrofitted Buildings
Puttahonnaiah, Anirudh Dr Mustafa Ucgul Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Air Flow Through Perforated Tiles of Raised Metal Floor in Data Centers at Varying Porosity
Rana, Uzair Ahmad Dr Guoyang Fu Evaluating the Viability and Performance of Macadamia Nutshell-Infused Cement and Concrete for Sustainable Construction: A Holistic Examination of Mechanical Strength,Durability, and Environmental Footprint
Shafi, Mohammad Abdullah Al Dr Golam Sorwar Transforming Data into Warning: Advanced Machine Learning Models for Short-term Flood Warning
Torabbeigi, Mohammadreza Dr Guoyang Fu Amphibious Housing: An Innovative Solution for Homes in Flood-Prone Areas

Name Primary Supervisor Topic
Ma, Xuzhe Prof Haifeng Shen iLearnVet: An Intelligent Tutoring System for Personalised Veterinary Education
Vasconcellos Lengler Brandao, Caroline Assoc Prof Barbara Padalino Rotational Sensory Enrichment to Improve the Welfare of Individually Stabled Racehorses

Quick Links:

Contact Us
Graduate School
Find a Supervisor
Research Scholarships

Contact the Faculty of Science and Engineering

Executive Assistant to the
Dean of Faculty		 National Marine Science Centre
Kristy Cocks Administration
T: +61 2 6620 3557
E: kristy.cocks@scu.edu.au		 T:  +61 2 6659 8100
E: nmsc@scu.edu.au

 

Please direct all faculty enquires to:

T:  +61 2 6620 3650
E:  fseinfo@scu.edu.au