PhD Students
Jacinta Holloway
The focus of my research is measuring the ecological success of reforestation projects through statistical analysis of satellite imagery data. My research intends to contribute a reasonably accurate method for assessing success of reforestation projects based on freely available satellite imagery data and low or no cost ground truth data. The aim is to effectively inform environmental management decisions at a reduced cost compared with extensive field data collection. This will be particularly useful in the context of developing countries which are impacted environmentally, societally and economically by land use and environmental decisions, and have limited funds available or prioritised for environmental monitoring. The project will also contribute to UN Sustainable Development goal 15; to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”.
Key stakeholders: Geoscience Australia, QLD Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, and United Nations Statistics Division.
Other supervisors: Kerrie Mengersen
Ignacio Gonzalez Aravena
My PhD project is on developing a Multi-Criteria Tool to Support Decision-Making for Waste Processing Technologies in the Red Meat Industry.
Key stakeholders: Australian Meat Processor Corporation
Other supervisors: Robert Speight, Ian O’Hara
Shamika Prasadini
I am a PhD candidate focusing on increasing the model complexity of predator-prey systems for species management and decision-making processes. In particular, I use stochastic modelling techniques and advanced numerical simulation methods to provide efficient species controlling strategies. My PhD research project investigates the benefits of increasing ecosystem model complexity and the link with ecological understanding of an ecosystem.The balance between model complexity, ease of application, and added value to the end-user will provide insight for management decision-making. By considering a real world phenomena, these theories and models can be applied to predict a better conservation and management strategy.
Other supervisors: Pamela Burrage
Oakes Holland
Ryu Lippman
Undergradate research students
Grace Robinson
Tace Stewart
I am an undergraduate mathematics student, majoring in Operations Research with minors in programming and computational mathematics. I completed a VRES project on the effect of discounting when scheduling biodiversity conservation actions. I enjoy applying my knowledge of operations research to ecology problems and desire to continue work in the field.
Ambalika Nandha
I am an undergraduate student studying Engineering and Mathematics at QUT. I have completed a Vacation Research Experience Scheme (VRES) with Kate Helmstedt where I researched dispersal connectivity and how it could be modelled to help repopulate the Great Barrier Reef. I am interested in mathematical models and how they can be used to conserve the environment.
Graduated students
Martin Péron
Graduated PhD in 2018. Martin developed novel computational approaches to find optimal, cost-effective strategies for managing invasive tiger mosquitoes Aedes albopictus using partially observable Markov decision processes.
Jessie Roberts
Submitted Masters in 2018. Jessie explored how communicating risk in different ways to expert and non-expert stakeholders affects decision-making. Now Stakeholder Engagement Officer for Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers
Rachael Smith
Graduated Masters in 2018
