Work is starting on four innovative research projects where Flinders University PhDs are tackling some major hurdles in fish farming, sleep, clean airconditioning and underwater vessels’ signalling – right here in South Australia.
Professor Timothy Cavagnaro, Dean of Graduate Research, says the projects showcase strengths in Flinders University’s education and research in the areas of marine biology, environmental health, sleep health and artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
“From sensor data assimilation in underwater robotics to fisheries and aquatic sciences, our engagement with industries in programs such as this is vital for our postgraduates’ career development and research involvement with product commercialisation and new ways of doing things.”
Flinders University has been successful in gaining funding for four outstanding Higher Degrees by Research student placements under the Australian Government Department of Education National Industry PhD Program.
The latest round of $8 million in federal funding aims to bring tertiary education and industry together to “drive collaboration and commercialise high-level research into innovative solutions”.
It is part of a $296 million government initiative to bring together trained researchers to solve industry problems across agriculture and food protection, health and medical research, environmental sustainability, technology and manufacturing, and AI.
College of Science and Engineering
PhD candidate Sonali Deshmukh is working on evaluating the use of evaporative cooling systems to improve indoor air quality and reduce the transmission of infectious diseases with industry partner Seeley International.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Harriet Whiley
PhD Rebecca Pedler will collaborate with leading SA aquaculture company Clean Seas Seafood Ltd to understand the pathophysiology of enteritis in yellowtail kingfish, using a tank-based challenge model.
Supervisor: Associate Professor James Harris
Recipient: Flinders PhD candidate Lucas Domingos will work with PrioriAnalytica to develop few-shot learning acoustic classes from underwater signals.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Paulo Santos
College of Medicine and Public Health
Recipient: Emma Thomas ( from FHMRI Sleep) will investigate improved and personalised treatment options for obstructive sleep apnoea with industry partner Apnimed Australia Pty Ltd.
The physiology-based targeted therapy aims to develop the first pharmacotherapy for sleep apnoea.
Supervisor: Matthew Flinders Professor Danny Eckert