Major Grants for funding commencing in 2015
Examples of Queensland Discovery Projects
Queensland (QLD) research organisations will receive more than $40 million through the
Australian Research Council Discovery Projects scheme for 111 new research projects
commencing in 2015.
Some examples of the QLD projects are provided below.
To view the summaries of all successful projects, visit the ARC announcements page.
Queensland University of Technology
Lead Chief Investigator: Professor Lyn English (DP150100120)
Summary: Improving the nation's skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) remains a continuing concern, especially given the decline in
international test results. The project aims to introduce a new approach to promoting this
learning across grades 3-6 through modelling with data. With a focus on inquiry processes
involving data variation and uncertainty within STEM-based contexts, the project aims to
develop the important mathematical and statistical literacies needed for lifting student
achievements. In advancing both theory and practice, the project aims to contribute to
knowledge of primary students' capabilities for STEM problem solving and ways of
enhancing implementation of the Australian Curriculum.
ARC funding: $603 900
James Cook University
Lead Chief Investigator: Dr Lucas Cernusak (DP150100588)
Summary: This project aims to determine when and to what extent the air inside leaves
becomes unsaturated with water vapour. All current interpretation and modelling of leaf gas
exchange assumes saturation under all circumstances. Compelling evidence has been
obtained that suggests this is not true under moderate air vapour pressure deficits. A novel
technique will be employed to assess the water vapour concentration of the air inside leaves
based on stable isotope analysis of carbon dioxide and water vapour exchanged between
leaves and air. The project is expected to provide fundamental knowledge about how
stomata regulate photosynthesis and water use, with significant implications for modelling
vegetation function and for improving the performance of crop plants.
ARC funding: $511 100
Queensland University of Technology
Lead Chief Investigator: Dr Kathryn Fairfull-Smith (DP150100234)
Summary: Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in healthcare systems around the world as
they cause persistent and chronic infections, including those associated with medical
implants and cystic fibrosis. This project aims to develop new chemical approaches to deliver
nitroxides at surface interfaces and in microparticles to facilitate long term control over biofilm
growth. It is expected that these functionalised scaffolds will represent a breakthrough in the
field and will have a profound impact by reducing infection rates associated with medical
devices and improving airway clearance in cystic fibrosis patients.
ARC funding: $445 300
The University of Queensland
Lead Chief Investigator: Dr Vinh Dao (DP150102354)
Summary: Thermal loading experienced by concrete samples in conventional tests cannot
be accurately and independently controlled. This project, through using a novel thermal
loading technique, aims to re-examine the performance of concrete in fire. By establishing
the heat-flux as a parameter of study, concrete performance under a wide range of fire
conditions is expected to be better quantified, eventually leading to a reliable performancebased design of concrete structures. Expected outcomes include improved understanding of
concrete performance under combined fire and other loadings, appropriate mathematical
models for fundamental concrete properties and constitutive relations, and design
recommendations for concrete performance under real fire exposures.
ARC funding: $286 300
Griffith University
Lead Chief Investigator: Professor Susan Berners-Price (DP150100308)
Summary: Proteoglycans and their associated enzymes are significant emerging drug
targets of high biological relevance. This project explores a new approach to drug design
based on high affinity binding to carbohydrates by polynuclear platinum compounds. Nuclear
magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies will be used to delineate structure-activity
relationships and the novel technique nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry will be
developed to explore the mechanism of cellular uptake and sub-cellular distribution. The
results will provide mechanistic understanding underpinning the future development of
dual-action platinum anticancer drugs with both DNA binding and anti-angiogenic activity.
ARC funding: $473 400
The University of Queensland
Lead Chief Investigator: Dr Ilana Mushin (DP150100113)
Summary: An enduring problem in Indigenous schooling is the discrepancy in outcomes
compared to mainstream children, but little is known about one crucial factor: the role of
Indigenous ways of speaking and their ways of engaging with knowledge and learning. This
ground-breaking project aims to compare preparatory school students in two urban settings:
a mainstream school and a school with high Indigenous enrolments. The project also seeks
to examine learning in children's homes to establish how the flow of knowledge is managed
in Indigenous and mainstream families. By investigating these four settings, it is expected to
provide important evidence for understanding how language and cultural ways of knowing
contribute to the discrepancy in schooling outcomes.
ARC funding: $204 500
University of the Sunshine Coast
Lead Chief Investigator: Dr Adam Polkinghorne (DP150101485)
Summary: Chlamydial infection of the eyes is a significant cause of disease and death in
koalas, contributing to the ongoing decline of this native species. Little is known about what
influences the outcome of these infections, challenging efforts to manage and control koala
chlamydial blindness. This project aims to evaluate whether differences in the infecting
Chlamydia pecorum strains or the koala immune response, are associated with the outcome
of chlamydial ocular infection. In addition to helping us to understand and prevent blindness
in koalas, this project should significantly expand our knowledge of the koala immune system
and generate an array of koala immunological assays, outcomes that may benefit all koala
conservation efforts.
ARC funding: $458 600
Queensland University of Technology
Lead Chief Investigator: Professor David Thambiratnam (DP150100814)
Summary: Ongoing increases in the number of level crossings and heavy road vehicles
cause more frequent and severe level crossing accidents and derailments. Despite the use
of active warning systems, each year, on average, 100 level crossing accidents occur in
Australia. With a view to mitigating these crashes, this research aims to formulate theories
for reduction in crash energy and effective wheel constraints to prevent derailment by
modifying the levels of road and rail crossings and providing guard rails in the recesses of
these modified level crossings. The theories are intended to be developed using nonlinear
dynamic computational methods and laboratory experiments. The outcomes are expected to
enable reduction in the severity of level crossing accidents and hence save lives and costs of
derailment.
ARC funding: $315 500
Central Queensland University
Lead Chief Investigator: Professor Sally Ferguson (DP150104497)
Summary: The aim of the project is to assess the impact 'on-call' work has on sleep, stress,
and next day performance. Two million Australians are on-call providing essential 24-hour
services including emergency response. While sleep during on-call periods is disrupted when
a call occurs, some research suggests that sleeping with one ear open waiting for a call may
disrupt sleep even if no call occurs. If on-call sleep is less restorative, then individuals are at
risk of performance impairment and adverse health outcomes. This project aims to answer
questions about the magnitude of sleep disruption when on-call, the mechanisms for any
disruption, and impact on waking function.
ARC funding: $236 700
The University of Queensland
Lead Chief Investigator: Dr Robin Fitzgerald (DP150100569)
Summary: Serious crimes committed by parolees in Australia have brought parole into the
public eye. Without concrete evidence, governments often act on the assumption that the
public holds punitive attitudes. This project is expected to develop an evidence base to
inform policy on parole at a crucial time when governments are under pressure to restrict its
use. Three mixed-method studies aim to assess: what public views on parole are; why the
public holds these views; and what influence these views have on policy and practice. The
project is expected to make contributions to: creating information strategies that properly
inform the public; supporting prisoner reintegration strategies; and shaping criminal justice
policies based on informed community feedback.
ARC funding: $235 780