PhD Projects

PhD Projects


We are specifically looking for students with first class honours to begin the following four PhD projects: 1) Coral bio-energetics Coral symbiosis relies on a balance between host and symbiont exchange of nutrients, gases and waste. Photosynthesis provides the energy to drive many of the exchange processes of the symbiont and is one of the energy sources used by the host. This project will examine the delicate interaction of nutrient transport and photosynthetically derived energy sources used to sustain the symbiosis and how it is affected by bleaching stress. 2) Estimating primary production of the Southern Ocean The Southern Ocean produces about 25% of the global ocean production, yet covers only 10% by area. Given the extreme seasonality of the region, production is tightly controlled by fluctuations in physical processes. This project will examine how oceanographic processes drive photosynthesis. The goal is to develop methods to correct satellite estimates of chlorophyll and algal biomass. 3) Impact of climate change on coral skeleton – microCT study Coral are threatened by bleaching and ocean acidification. This study will investigate the use of 3D x-ray micro computed tomography (microCT) as a novel, powerful, tool to examine density and structural changes in corals. In addition to image-based structural characterization, the image data can be combined with finite element analysis to model mechanical strength and structural integrity of the coral and to make predictions of the possible effects of further changes in ocean acidity. The microCT system currently in use has the capacity to apply a load of up to 400 N to a coral sample in-situ with 3D scans being taken before and during loading. The 3D scan data is able to be converted to a format suitable for direct application of FEA software. The correlation of the compression load curve with the FE model will allow the model to be validated. Predictions of load capacity and fracture toughness can than be made from models derived from this validation. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Sydney. 4) Development of harmful algal blooms Cyanobacteria blooms are regular occurrences in Australian drinking water reservoirs. This project investigates the role of zooplankton grazing in phytoplankton species dynamics. It seeks to quantify grazing rates during different phases of cyanobacteria bloom development, determine whether toxin production is increased in the presence of grazers and assess the contribution of grazing activity to nutrient regeneration.