Research Supervisor Connect

Susie Wood

Combustion of mine ventilation air methane using porous burners

I'm working on a project to develop greenhouse gas mitigation technologies for underground coal mines and landfills. At the moment, mine ventilation air containing methane is just released into the air. We're developing an advanced combustion system capable of burning diluted fuels like methane, so that we can make use of a fuel that would otherwise be wasted.

Kristy Hatherley

Children and adolescents with type one diabetes

My project is concerned with children and adolescents with type one diabetes, specifically the self-management aspect. Previously, the only real surveys done of people with type one diabetes were performed by diabetes clinics, when people had already gone to get treatment. I'm focusing on service provision and access to services, surveying people all over NSW and the ACT to draw a more comprehensive picture.

Natalie D'Abrew

Impact of breast and gynaecological cancer in terms of the male partner's experience

I'm looking at the experience of male partners whose female partner is diagnosed with breast or gynaecological cancer. My research focuses on the impact of this disease in relation to body image and sexuality from the male partner's perspective. The aim is to improve knowledge of how male partners cope and to explore possible interventions for the male partner during this time.

Christina Aggar

Frailty intervention programs and informal carers

My project is a part of a larger study in frailty intervention, which analyses the effectiveness of targeted intervention for people aged 70 and over who screen in as frail. The targeted intervention may include physiotherapy and nutrition advice. I'm looking specifically at the experience of informal carers, and how frailty intervention programs affect the informal carer.

Grace Chideya Phiri

Master of Agriculture (Agriculture and Resource Economics)

I chose to study at the University of Sydney because I wanted to increase my knowledge and specialise in Economics at an advanced level. I was nominated by my Government and awarded an Australian Development Scholarship which is managed by AusAID and enabled me to study as an international student. I looked at university websites across the world but I chose the University of Sydney because of its international reputation and because Sydney was the only university that could offer me exactly what I wanted. On completion of my degree, I hope to work as an Economist with the Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi.

Sarah Penicka

Robert Graves' The White Goddess

I'm looking at Robert Graves' work The White Goddess, which he wrote as a handbook for poets. It has often been dismissed as a 'feminist, goddess-worshipping manifesto' and an exercise in myth building. I'm approaching it in the context of Religious Studies, and I'm looking at it critically, as a piece of scholarship, which is what he intended it to be.

Shaun Edwards

Impact of alcohol consumption in the Kowanyana community

My study is an empirical study looking at the impact that alcohol has had on my people, the Kokoberrin who reside in Kowanyana, Cape York Peninsula. I'm looking at what strengths exist my family's own traditional health system, and how that culture can be used (through the development of appropriate interventions) to reverse the negative impact of alcohol.

Mercedes Paulini

Mobile computing and context awareness

My project is on mobile computing – I'm particularly interested in adding context awareness to technology. I'm researching ways to create a navigation aid that's different from GPS systems, where you input a particular destination. My device would use a server database to recommend possible paths into the city using crowd intelligence – it could take you past places you might enjoy, rather than just focusing on one destination.

Hong Nguyen

Specialty optical fibres in optical telecommunications networks

I'm doing research into specialty optical fibres. Currently, in optical telecommunications networks, the electronics that process the signals are bulky, slow and energy-consuming. Making these networks faster requires enormous amounts of power. I'm studying the properties of specialty fibres and using them to demonstrate device concepts with reduced power requirements.

Hannah Salvin

Diagnosis of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

My project deals with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, a disease that affects older dogs. I'm looking to develop an accurate diagnostic tool, so that we can quantify and assess the effect of treatments, whether it's drugs, stem cell therapy or a change in nutrition. Currently, there is very little data on how normal dogs age, so there is no reference point to help in diagnosis of CCD.

Kyra Sim

IVF weight loss study

My project aims to demonstrate that a weight loss program for obese women prior to undertaking IVF treatment has a positive effect on pregnancy rates. Obese women have lower fertility in comparison to women of healthy weight, and obesity is a risk factor for many maternal and foetal morbidities. The treatment phase of the project involves a 12-week weight loss program incorporating dietary, exercise, educational and psychological elements.

Jessica Breeden

Stem cell therapy

I'm identifying genes that control the ability of adult stem cells to turn into tissue types. This includes bone, muscle and cartilage tissue. After identifying possible genes, these are cloned and their ability to repair damaged tissue is tested. Stem cells that regenerate tissues may provide a novel gene therapy treatment option for people suffering from diseases such as osteoporosis.

Leia Hee

Lung complications caused by malaria

Currently in my third year of the project, I've been identifying which mechanisms cause lung complications in severe malaria. We have found that a certain "channel" controls fluid removal from airspaces, playing a role in lung fluid build up associated with malaria. Finding new ways of preventing or alleviating lung complications will reduce morbidity and mortality of people who suffer from the disease.

Kat Leaver

Neuroprotection and Parkinson's Disease

Currently the most effective treatments available to treat PD only alleviate the symptoms. There is a need to develop neuroprotective drugs which slow or stop the progression of the disease. Early intervention may help slow the onset of debilitating symptoms. I'm doing a cotutelle PhD, and so will be completing a year of research in Tours, France. I have the opportunity to travel to present at conferences.

Nathan Saul

Epidemiology of Cryptococcus gatti, a fatal pathogen of people and animals

I've investigated the case of a koala in New South Wales that presented with an unusually aggressive pathogen. I traced back the infecting strain to a koala park in Western Australia. By investigating the pathogen and the environmental associations, we can devise better prevention and treatment strategies.

Sarah Boustany

Investigation of asthma

I'm looking at structural changes that occur in the lungs of asthmatics, and the ways in which these changes could be reversed. To do this, I'm using microscopy techniques to visualise different proteins in the airway. I've found that in an asthmatic airway, an important blood vessel inhibitor is missing. This missing protein could potentially be a therapeutic target.

James Harrison

Needs of cancer patients

There is evidence that patients with cancer have substantial levels of unmet needs. I will be evaluating a nurse delivered telephone follow-up that aims to reduce the unmet needs of colorectal cancer patients that have been discharged from hospital following surgery. This study has the potential to improve service delivery and the quality of care for patients living with this cancer.

James McQuillan

Bacterial meningitis

Usually the immune system's response to an infection is appropriate for a given situation. However, there are instances when the immune system can actually be the cause of disease complications. I hope to be able to increase knowledge relating to meningitis, the exact reasons why people die and why there is often long term brain damage associated with infections.

Andy Lee

Tumor growth at the cellular level

I'm studying a gene that's involved in drug metabolism, amongst other things. There are enzymes in these genes which contain fatty acids that are able to send certain signals. If we are able to control these genes, we will be able to increase the levels of these beneficial fatty acids. This will help stressed cells ie those suffering stroke and cancer to control their own proliferation.