Faculty of Science & Information Technology
SUMMER VACATION SCHOLARSHIPS
RESEARCH TOPICS (2016/17)
Global Centre for Environmental Remediation
Environmental Remediation………………………………………………………………………………………………………2
School of Environmental & Life Sciences
Applied Science (Ourimbah Campus)…………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Biological Sciences……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8
Chemistry…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18
Earth Sciences…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….26
Environmental Science & Management………………………...... 34
Geography & Environmental Studies …………………………...... 40
School of Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Mathematics………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..42
Physics……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...49
Statistics ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………62
School of Psychology
Psychology………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….64
Global Centre for Environmental Remediation
TOPIC NO. / TITLE OF RESEARCH TOPIC / DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH PROJECT / PRINCIPAL SUPERVISOR CONTACT DETAILS / RESEARCH GROUP/CENTRE / DISCIPLINE / SCHOOL1 / Microbial
carbon use efficiency / Soil can act both as a source and sink for greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Carbon storage in soil is considered as an important climate change mitigation strategy. Soil microorganisms play an important role
in carbon dynamics in soil. Carbon use efficiency of microorganisms controls the rate of turnover of carbon in soil. The aims of this project is to examine the effect of exogenous carbon sources such as biosolids and manure on the microbial carbon use efficiency in soil.
The project will help the student in learning the key skills that include:
- Processing environmental samples such as soil, biosolids and manures.
- Analysing environmental samples for various chemical properties including pH, carbon content etc.
- Undertaking incubation experiments to measure carbon use efficiency.
- Experience in writing research reports.
P: (02) 4913 8750
E: / Global Centre for Environmental
Remediation / Environmental
Remediation / GCER
2 / Microbeads – an emerging contaminant in wastewater treatment plants / Microbeads are minute pieces of plastic defined as 0.1 to 0.5 mm in size, and are added as exfoliating agent to cosmetics and personal care products, such as soap, facial scrub and toothpastes.Where cosmetics and personal care products are washed down the drain after use, microbeads flow through sewer systems. Current wastewater treatment plants are not designed to filter out microbeads and hence these particles reach waterways including rivers and ocean. Microbeads are not biodegradable and once they enter the marine environment, they are impossible to remove.Aquatic organisms absorb or eat microbeads. These microbeads are passed along the marine food chain, ultimately reaching the humans. The objective of this project is to identify and quantify the sources of microbeads input to wastewater treatment plants.
The project will help the student in learning the key skills that include:
- Collecting wastewater and biosolid samples from wastewater treatment plants.
- Analysing these samples for microbeads.
- Experience in handing analytical equipments
- Experience in writing research reports.
P: (02) 4913 8750
E: / Global Centre for Environmental
Remediation / Environmental
Remediation / GCER
3 / Biosolids for Carbon farming in mine site soils / The shortfall in topsoil due to poor striping practices and low levels of organic matter have been identified as common problems in rehabilitation of mining sites. High heavy metal concentrations in mine soil can adversely impact microbial activity and subsequent revegetation succession. Biosolids that are low in contaminants can be used to rehabilitate mine spoils. Biosolids provide a source of nutrients and improve the fertility of spoils. Biosolids also act as a sink for heavy metals in mine tailings reducing their bioavailability. However, the mechanisms underlying increasing soil carbon capture in mine soils through biosolids application are poorly understood. The overall aim of the project is to quantify the carbon storage capacity of mine soils as impacted by biosolid application
The project will help the student in learning the key skills that include:
- Understanding the issues with mine sites
- Collecting and characterising mine site soils
- Analysing these samples for carbon and nutrients
- Experience in writing research reports
P: (02) 4913 8750
E: / Global Centre for Environmental
Remediation / Environmental
Remediation / GCER
4 / Role of algal bacterial consortia in the degradation of organic contaminants / Under natural condition algae and bacteria occurs together and share nutrients between them. However when present together in the contaminated sites bacteria protects algae from the toxic contaminants, while algae supplies nutrients and oxygen for the bacterial survival. The individual role of algae and bacteria in the degradation of contaminants and their interaction will be studied by microbiological, biochemical and molecular tools.
The project will help the student in learning the key skills like:
• Culturing the algae and bacteria.
•Instrumentations used in the microbial and molecular analysis.
•Biodegradation of organic contaminants. / Dr Suresh Subashchandrabose
P: (02) 4913 8744
E:
/ Global Centre for Environmental
Remediation / Environmental
Remediation / GCER
5 / Bacteria Vs Algae - The competition for nutrition in soil environment / This project will explore how heterotrophic algae and bacteria share nutrients in soil environment. Microalgae and bacterial relationship in soil remains unexplored. Eukaryotic microalgae are capable of leading photo, mixo and heterotrophic lifestyle, thus their interaction with heterotrophic prokaryotic microorganisms in soil has potential impact on soil health. / Dr Suresh Subashchandrabose
P: (02) 4913 8744
E:
/ Global Centre for Environmental
Remediation / Environmental
Remediation / GCER
220 / Microplastics – an emerging contaminant in wastewater treatment plants / In Australia, there are 159 single use plastics used per second. There is an increasing evidence that plastic debris are a potential threat to water and waste water systems. Plastics tend to break down into small particles and these are called microplastics (ranging in diameter from 1 micron to 5 millimetres). The studies from Europe showed that the treated municipal wastewaters contain synthetic textile fibres from washing of clothes and abrasive plastic fragments from cleaning agents. The average fibre concentration was 25 times higher and the particle concentration was three times higher in the effluent compared to the receiving body of water. This indicates that WWTPs may operate as a route for microplastics entering the sea. The objective of this study is to quantify and characterise the microplastics from waste water treatment plants and biosolids.
*This project is aligned with the recently approved major industry project and students have the opportunity to interact and work with 3 other PhD students. Further opportunities for funded Honours scholarship. / Dr Thava Palanisami
P: (02) 40339411
E: / Global Centre for Environmental
Remediation / Environmental
Remediation / GCER
221 / Plastic Puzzle: Risk assessment and management of plastic debris in the environment / Growing use of plastic materials led to a large amount of plastic debris in the environment. Although plastics are regarded as inert materials, concerns have been raised about the small-sized plastic particles, termed as microplastics, found in the environment. Existence of microplastics attracted public concerns because potential harmful effects of microplastic particles and associated chemical contaminants on human and ecological health are suspected. The project aims to investigate the insidious association of microplastics with chemical contaminants and its significance to ecological and human health. This multidisciplinary theme has several topics to choose for a student with any science background.
*This project is aligned with the recently approved local government project and students have the opportunity to interact and work with govt department and experience real field sampling techniques. Further opportunities for funded Honours scholarship. / Dr Thava Palanisami
P: (02) 40339411
E: / Global Centre for Environmental
Remediation / Environmental
Remediation / GCER
222 / Beyond the Obvious: Human health Risk assessment of contaminant metabolites / Contaminant metabolites are the derivatives of parent chemicals which are often more toxic and bioavailable than parent compounds. These metabolites can be formed from the source or transformation reactions inside the organisms. The role of these metabolites/transformation products in human health hasn’t been well understood. The project aims to use in in vitroandin vivoanimal models to delineate the role played by contaminant metabolites in human health. This multidisciplinary theme has several topics to choose for a student with any science background.
*This project is aligned with the major EU collaborative network. Further opportunities for funded Honours scholarships. / Dr. Thava Palanisami
P: (02) 40339411
E: / Global Centre for Environmental
Remediation / Environmental
Remediation / GCER
School of Environmental & Life Sciences:
TOPIC NO. / TITLE OF RESEARCH TOPIC / DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH PROJECT / PRINCIPAL SUPERVISOR CONTACT DETAILS / RESEARCH GROUP/CENTRE / DISCIPLINE / SCHOOL6 / The menstrual cycle and exercise performance / Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle have many physiological effects, which may in turn affect exercise performance and training adaptations. There are opportunities for research projects in this area. Details of specific projects will be determined in consultation with the academic staff. / Dr Xanne Janse de Jonge
P: (02) 4349 7899
E: / Exercise and Sport Science / Applied Sciences
(Ourimbah Campus) / SELS
7 / Jump testing in elite soccer / There is an opportunity available to conduct a project on jump testing as a training monitoring tool in elite soccer. A professional soccer team is very interested in the project and details of the project will be determined in consultation with the soccer team’s sport science staff and the project supervisor. / DrXanne Janse de Jonge
P: (02) 4349 7899
E: / Exercise and Sport Science / Applied Sciences
(Ourimbah Campus) / SELS
8 / A comparison of running kinematics and muscle activity for overground and treadmill running / Although the kinematics of treadmill and overground running have previously been reported, no analysis of running kinematics relative to muscle activity have been reported. Utilising new portable measurement technologies the purpose of this study will be to compare running kinematics and muscle activity for trail, road and treadmill running. / Mr Adrian Schultz
P: (02) 43484151
E: / Exercise and Sport Science / Applied Sciences
(Ourimbah Campus) / SELS
9 / The influence of lumbo-pelvic stability on athletic performance in adolescent athletes / Lumbo-pelvic stability has previously been defined as the ability to control motion of the lumbar spine and pelvis relative to an arbitrarily defined neutral position. Research evidence suggests that adolescent athletes exhibit poor lumbo-pelvic control compared with mature adult athletes. This research aims to investigate the influence of lumbo-pelvic stability in adolescent athletes on measures of athletic and functional performance. / Mr Adrian Schultz
P: (02) 43484151
E: / Exercise and Sport Science / Applied Sciences
(Ourimbah Campus) / SELS
10 / The relationship between the Functional Movement Screen and tests of joint and muscle dysfunction / The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) comprises a series of tests that document movement patterns that are key to normal function, and injury prevention in athletic populations. The FMS is gaining in popularity and is increasing being used by strength and conditioning professional s to screen athletes for injury risk and potential performance deficits. This research will investigate the relationship between the FMS and tests that have historically used by strength and conditioning coaches and physical therapy professional s to assess joint and muscle dysfunction. / Mr Adrian Schultz
P: (02) 43484151
E: / Exercise and Sport Science / Applied Sciences
(Ourimbah Campus) / SELS
11 / The kinematics of sprint deceleration at various sprint velocities and stopping distances. / The research literature investigating the influence of running deceleration on athletic performance is severely limited. For the purposes of this study rapid sprint deceleration will be examined in the context of sports that require repeated maximal or near-maximal sprint running. The study will examine the kinematics of deceleration at various sprint velocities using a variety of stopping distances. In addition, the study will attempt to quantify the differences between athletes of varying deceleration ability. / Mr Adrian Schultz
P: (02) 4348 4151
E: / Exercise and Sport Science / Applied Sciences
(Ourimbah Campus) / SELS
12 / Reduction in energy usage in postharvest handling of fruit and vegetables / Refrigeration minimises losses of fresh fruit and vegetables due to reduction in metabolism and hence ripening, senescence and rot development are delayed. However, the desirability of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the rising cost of energy have created a need to find more sustainable technologies. Ethylene is the naturally produced plant regulator that promotes all aspects of deterioration and wastage of fruit and vegetables. This project examines whether controlling the concentration of ethylene in the atmosphere around produce is a feasible low cost alternative to refrigeration.
Projects will quantify the interaction of ethylene and temperature on the postharvest life of specific produce and then model the data on real marketing scenarios. / Emeritus Professor Ron Wills
P: (02) 9499 4437
E:
Dr John Golding (Co-supervisor)
P: (02) 4348 1926
E: / Nutrition, Food & Health Research Group / Applied Sciences
(Ourimbah Campus)
NSW DPI / SELS
13 / Investigating the therapeutic efficacy of natural bioactive compounds against gastro-pancreatic cancers. / Pancreatic and stomach cancers have very poor survival rates and unfortunately, current chemotherapeutics are at best modestly effective. As such, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies for pancreatic and stomach cancers. Naturally occurring compounds are potentially a major source for new anti-cancer therapies with powerful effects being demonstrated for many cancers. Our group is interested in investigating the efficacy of bioactive compounds, extracted from natural sources against pancreatic and stomach cancer cells to define their potential as novel therapeutic agents for gastro-pancreatic cancers. / Dr Chris Scarlett
P: (02) 4348 4680
E: / Pancreatic Cancer Research
Nutrition, Food & Health Research Group / Applied Sciences (Ourimbah Campus) / SELS
14 / Cell Biology of Spermatozoa
i) Epididymal Transit and Maturation / Upon leaving the testis, spermatozoa are incapable of progressive movement or the cascade of cellular events that result in fertilization of the oocyte. These functional characteristics are only acquired as spermatozoa undergo maturation during epididymal transit. Given the absolute importance of epididymal maturation for the generation of fertile spermatozoa, it is clearly important that the molecular mechanisms supporting this functional transformation be elucidated. Success in this area will have implications both for development of reversible male contraceptive agents and the aetiology of male infertility. This project aims to determine the role of microRNA (miRNA) in regulating the functional maturation of mammalian spermatozoa that occurs in the epididymis. It will build on our strong preliminary data indicating that miRNA play a key role in the establishment of the unique epididymal environment and that a subset of miRNAs are transferred to the spermatozoa as they are conveyed through this organ. / A/Prof Brett Nixon
P: (02) 4921 6977
E:
Laureate Professor John Aitken
P: (02) 4921 6143
E: / Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science / Biological Sciences / SELS
15 / Cell Biology of Spermatozoa
ii) Capacitation and Development of Fertilizing Ability / Transcriptionally inactive spermatozoa rely heavily on post-translational modifications in order to acquire functional competence. These processes occur in two distinct phases as spermatozoa pass through the epididymal lumen and then ascend the female reproductive tract. It is well established that both events are essential for fertility, however the biochemical mechanisms behind the maturation of these cells remains unclear. This project aims to characterise the entire complement of proteins present in spermatozoa. It will also decipher which proteins are up/down regulated, acquired and/or completely lost during both maturation procedures. / Laureate Professor John Aitken
P: (02) 4921 6143
E: / Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science / Biological Sciences / SELS
16 / Cell Biology of Spermatozoa
iii) Formation of Sperm Zona Receptor Complex / Mammalian sperm-egg interaction is arguably one of the most remarkable processes in biological science. This exquisitely specific cell recognition event depends upon a complex cascade of interactions between free-swimming sperm and ovulated eggs. Elucidating the nature of these interactions has been the subject of intense investigation by many laboratories. Although this has led to extensive characterization of the respective gametes, such studies have failed to elucidate the molecular basis of this event. In our considered judgement this lack of success stems from the incorrect assumption that the sperm receptor is a single molecular entity that is constitutively expressed on the cell surface. In contrast, recent research from our laboratory has provided support for a novel hypothesis that sperm-egg interaction is mediated by a multimeric sperm receptor complex. Furthermore, we have compelling evidence that this complex is assembled on the sperm surface through the concerted action of a family of molecular chaperone proteins that reside within specialised membrane domains, known as lipid rafts.
In this project we aim to confirm the validity of this model, establish the molecular composition of the sperm surface receptor complexes and characterise the downstream signalling cascades that culminate in fertilisation. / A/Prof Brett Nixon
P: (02) 4921 6977
E:
Laureate Professor John Aitken
P: (02) 4921 6143
E:
Prof Eileen McLaughlin
P: (02) 4921 5708
E: / Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science / Biological Sciences / SELS
17 / Cell Biology of Spermatozoa
iv) Regulation of acrosomal exocytosis / The purpose of this research is to determine the role of the dynamin family of proteins in the regulation of gamete quality and function. We have strong preliminary data that this novel group of GTPases play essential and complementary roles in differentiation of the male and female germ cells and are key regulators of sperm-egg interactions. Furthermore, we hypothesise that the dysregulation of dynamin function will compromise gamete development in both sexes and block fertilisation. In this project we shall employ a suite of innovative first-in-class dynamin inhibitors/activators, unique mouse germ cell specific null models, and extant panels of infertile donors to determine the mechanisms by which dynamin regulates gamete quality and function in the mouse and human. / A/Prof Brett Nixon
P: (02) 4921 6977