USQ’s world-class researchers are focused on solving regional and global problems and challenges and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.
From receiving national recognition for industry research to assisting with the development of seasonable climate forecasting in South East Asia, see below for the latest research updates.
New partnership to roll out revolutionary rail technology
USQ, Austrak and Laing O’Rourke have partnered to develop composite technology in a $10 million project.
The consortium secured $3 million grant funding from the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) initiative, to increase innovation and develop new technologies for industries in Australia.
The fibre reinforced polymer composites will replace timber bridge transoms, which are subject to warping and rotting, proving costly and disruptive due to constant repair.
The project will build on existing research at USQ, to commercialise materials and manufacturing technologies where it has been proven that strategically using polymer composites resulted in sleeper technology that required significantly less volume of material whilst complying with all strength and stiffness requirements of a railway system.
USQ Professor Peter Schubel said the research partnership highlighted a successful collaboration that will bring a step-change technology to an otherwise conservative sector.
“For the past 20 years, USQ has dedicated significant research effort into developing innovative sleeper and transom technologies based on polymer composite materials, so it’s extremely rewarding to see the culmination of this work formulate the design and manufacturing of this new technology,” he said.
Image: USQ, Austrak and Laing O’Rourke have partnered to roll out revolutionary composite rail technology.
USQ Director announced as new Chair for Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia
USQ’s Dr Erin Rayment is the new Chair of Australasia’s peak body for research organisations leading in best practice for commercialisation, industry engagement and entrepreneurship – Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia.
Dr Rayment, Director (Office of Research Development), leads a team that manages strategic research partnerships, contract research, consultancy, commercialisation and e-research at the University.
Announced at the annual KCA Conference in Melbourne, Dr Rayment succeeds former Chair of three-years, Dr Alistair Hick, Senior Director, Monash Innovation.
Dr Rayment said she was thrilled about her new appointment and embraced the opportunity to achieve greater positive impact in a “rapidly evolving field with profound changes in government, industry and research.”
“The rate of change is accelerating, and it is the task of technology transfer professionals (TTPs) to help their organisations benefit from change, rather than suffer from it,” she said.
“I welcome all the opportunities and challenges that the role of KCA chair brings and look forward to working with this growing group of professionals that will take Australian research to new frontiers of commercialisation and discovery,” she concluded.
Image: USQ’s Dr Erin Rayment is the new Chair of Australasia’s peak body for research organisations leading in best practice for commercialisation, industry engagement and entrepreneurship.
USQ researcher to collaborate with Smithsonian Institute
A USQ researcher is bound for the US Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama after being awarded a highly competitive Advance Queensland grant.
Dr Ravinesh Deo, a leading scientist from USQ’s School of Agricultural, Computational and Environmental Science and the Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, will head up a project looking at attributing land use and land-cover change influence on hydrological-ecosystem interactions with artificial intelligence.
The project will construct artificial intelligence tools to look at land use change and hydro-meteorological impacts considering the response and climate signal filtering mechanism to separate climate variability and climate change.
Working with global research leaders at the laboratory in Panama, Dr Deo said it was an honour to be expanding the University’s research outreach to the US through the Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowships Program.
USQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation Professor Mark Harvey commended Dr Deo for being one of three researchers selected for 2018.
“Advance Queensland Fellowships are awarded to a select group of Queenslanders and it is a fantastic opportunity not only for Dr Deo but also USQ to share knowledge with the Smithsonian Institute and collaborate with such a leading research institution,” he said.
Image: USQ researcher Dr Ravinesh Deo is bound for the US Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama after being awarded a Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship.
USQ researcher recognised with 2018 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award
USQ’s Dr Rajib Rana has been awarded a 2018 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award for his research, scientific contribution and community engagement efforts in computer science.
Dr Rana, who is a Senior Lecturer and Advance Research Fellow at the USQ Institute for Resilient Regions, is using machine learning to research the early detection of mood changes, which are typical of mental health issues and relapses.
Machine learning is a field of computer science that uses statistical techniques to give computer systems the ability to “learn” with data, without being explicitly programmed.
When commercialised, the system will allow patients to identify and track their mood, which may help them to seek help early to avoid long-term hospitalisation.
The Young Tall Poppy Awards, an initiative of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science, recognise the achievements of Australia’s outstanding young scientific researchers and communicators.
USQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Mark Harvey, said it was an outstanding achievement for Dr Rana to be recognised as one of the state’s finest young scientists.
“These awards recognise up-and-coming scientists and researchers who are not only conducting world-class research but also communicating and engaging with the community to encourage a greater engagement in science,” Professor Harvey said.
Image: USQ’s Dr Rajib Rana was awarded a 2018 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award.