Student topics

The antibacterial mechanism of nanopatterned surfaces promises to be a valuable tool in the fight against implant infection, fomite transmission and antibiotic resistance. This mechanism is principally physical in nature, arising from the deformation of the bacterial envelope upon contacting the nanopatterned surface.To enhance understanding of the mechanism, this project will involve modelling the deformation of gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial envelopes using finite element analysis in ABAQUS. The key aims of the modelling are to identify locations of critical stress/stress …

Study level

Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering

School

School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering

Research centre(s)

Centre for Biomedical Technologies
Centre for Biomedical Technologies

Optoacoustic imaging is a relatively new medical imaging technique. It utilises laser light to excite an imaging agent, which in turn converts this light energy into heat. This heat is dissipated as a sound wave, which can be detected with an ultrasound receiver. This technique aims to overcome the minimal penetration depth of fluorescence imaging, and the lack of molecular specificity of ultrasound.In this project we are aiming to develop and synthesize intelligent imaging agents for optoacoustics, which are able …

Study level

Master of Philosophy, Honours, Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Science

School

School of Chemistry and Physics

Research centre(s)

Centre for Materials Science

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cause of death from cancer in women, with a five-year survival rate of less than 45 per cent. However, there is emerging research that shows the benefits of exercise therapy during recovery following certain cancer treatments, and how exercise can improve and extend the lives of women with ovarian cancer.This project is a collaboration exploring these health and survival outcomes in ovarian and other gynaecological cancers, and in particular how new diagnostic testing …

Study level

Honours

Faculty

Faculty of Health

School

School of Biomedical Sciences

During the course of their PhD, the candidate will drive a research project that investigates how the use of algorithms in search and recommendation systems affect the discoverability of content, including:long tail and back catalogue contenton subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) servicesinternet platforms.The project will explore how digital tools can be developed and used to study the impacts of search and recommendation systems, and examine the regulatory options that might be used to address potential problems in the discoverability of culturally or …

Study level

PhD

Faculty

Faculty of Business and Law

School

School of Law

Research centre(s)

Digital Media Research Centre

Potential projects available include:Young children in a digital worldChildren and social mediaEducation in the early years using digital technologyFamilies in a digital worldChildren co-designing technology

Study level

PhD, Master of Philosophy

Faculty

Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice

School

School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education

Research centre(s)

Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child

This project contributes to ongoing research on the cultural imagery of law and technology. Students are encouraged to explore how cultural texts/artifacts manifest how technological change is conceived and how legal responses are  constructed. Particular focus for 2023 is on generative AI and automation in transport.

Study level

Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Business and Law

School

School of Law

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The major cause of cancer-related mortality (~90%) is due to metastasis. Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Of the 10,000 Australians that live with metastatic breast cancer only 32% are alive after 5-years (relative survival-rate).While current cancer treatments mostly focus on targeting the primary tumours, the treatment or prevention of metastasis continues to have limited success. We have shown genetic inhibition of Cep55 reduces cancer progression …

Study level

Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Health

School

School of Biomedical Sciences

Air travel is poised for systemic transformation due to the advent and implementation of emerging technologies. For example, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft have the potential to deliver sustainable, efficient, and fast, short-range mobility in urban environments. Advances in fuel and propulsion systems, such as those used in hydrogen electric aircraft, could have broader impact, delivering aspirations of zero carbon aviation.Given the nascent qualities of such technology advances, it is unclear how they will affect passenger experience. Currently, air …

Study level

PhD

Faculty

Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice

School

School of Design

Research centre(s)

Design Lab

There is a need for additional studies to monitor on-field performance parameters in female elite athletes (Meignié 2021). We know that wearable sensors can be used to monitor the physiological and biochemical profile of athletes (Seshadri 2019), and a combination of several wearables is going to be more effective for accessing all relevant parameters (Düking 2016). However, there is limited research on the effects of menstrual cycle phases on elite athlete performance (Meignié 2021).This proposed research aims to bridge the …

Study level

PhD

Faculty

Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice

School

School of Design

Research centre(s)

Design Lab

As a direct response to increasing customer aggression, retailers are implementing measures to keep frontline team members safe – assets such as body worn cameras (BWC) and duress watches. Concerningly, there is a dearth of research into these technologies in a retail setting, with much of the earlier research being undertaken in corrective services, policing and train guards.Current research identifies, in some cases, the presence of such technologies can lead to a ‘back-firing’ effect (the aggressive individual becomes more aggressive), …

Study level

PhD, Master of Philosophy

School

School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations

Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) are a group of copper-containing enzymes naturally present in many fruit including bananas. They play a role in the browning or discoloration of fruit when they are cut, bruised, or exposed to air. The browning reaction they catalyse can affect the visual appeal, taste, and quality of certain fruit, leading to consumer dissatisfaction and reduced market value.The disruption of genes involved in PPO production in plants leads to a reduction or elimination in enzyme activity resulting in …

Study level

Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty

Faculty of Science

School

School of Biology and Environmental Science

Research centre(s)

Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy

Mobile digital technologies and with them digital platforms have had dramatic exponential growth within the Global South since 2015. In so doing the digital is disrupting and transforming traditional, colonial and post-colonial cultural and legal orders. This project focuses on the cultural transformation, and legal reactions, to social media and the proliferation of mobile digital devices in Global South communities. Joining an innovative intellectual community with existing projects on issues of technology and digital justice in the Global South, candidates …

Study level

PhD, Master of Philosophy

Faculty

Faculty of Business and Law

School

School of Law

Research centre(s)

Centre for Justice