Academic staff

Amy is an environmental social scientist, focusing on understanding the interactions between people and marine environments. Specifically, she seeks to identify socio-economic and cultural factors that influence sustainable livelihoods.

Dr Cyrus's research focus is largely on new species development (particularly low tropic species), and the incorporation of macroalgae to improve many aspects of aquaculture production including larval settlement, feed development, and the recycling of nutrients for alternative crops through Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA).

Leo’s research interests include using physiology to solve commercially relevant production bottlenecks, raw materials for aquafeeds, nutrient requirements, digestive processes in aquatic organisms, taste and palatability.

Dr. Cabral combines ecological and economic theories and methods, big data analytics, and computation to find solutions to fisheries and conservation problems. He is particularly interested in problems where science and scientific innovations can help overcome bottlenecks to effectively address fisheries and conservation challenges.

Jacqui is an environmental social scientist and DECRA Senior Research Fellow. Her research is interdisciplinary and draws together a range of social science disciplines to examine issues of environmental justice and change in coastal communities.

Prof Lopata’s research examines the interactions of immunogenic proteins from different food sources including marine invertebrates with the human immune system leading to allergic reactions.

Andrew works on assessments of Australia shark and rays species and their management. He also has research interests in integrating traditional knowledge and management systems into mainstream fisheries management.

Cecile's research interests include: selective breeding for economically important aquaculture species; evaluation of genetic parameters and estimation of breeding values for aquaculture species using statistical tools; and mass spawning mate allocation to enhance mating design using genetic algorithms (AI).

Chaoshu's research interests include: culture techniques for commercial crustaceans and marine ornamentals; ecophysiology and behaviour of crustacean larvae and juveniles; and toxicology of effluent water to aquatic animals.

Clive is an internationally recognised expert in the aquaculture of rock lobster and freshwater crayfish. At JCU he leads research projects that are developing aquaculture production technology for commercial application.

Damien is a biologist with interests that include developing assisted reproductive technologies for animal production, and studying the impact of adverse environmental conditions on fertility.

Dr. Dave Jones is a researcher specializing in using genomics within advanced breeding programs for aquaculture species.

Since joining JCU, Dean has built an internationally recognised research group with a major focus on the development of genetic tools and knowledge to inform selective breeding programs for aquaculture species.

Jan applies next generation sequencing tools to help solve bottlenecks in fisheries and aquaculture industries. Her laboratory group is investigating population differentiation, recruitment and adaptation in a range of lobster species.

Dr Kelly Condon specialises in the discipline of aquatic animal health, with a focus on viral and bacterial diseases of tropical aquaculture species

Kyall has more than 20 years’ experience conducting research and teaching within the disciplines of applied animal production and quantitative / evolutionary genetics on both aquatic and terrestrial animals.

Leigh is Australia's foremost aquatic animal disease specialist. His research focuses on bacteriophages, paroviruses and nodaviruses of fish and crustacea, with RNA interference as a control.

Dr Foyle works within the production and hygiene of foods of animal origin, food security and subsistence farming, production animal disease, welfare at slaughter, zoonoses and biosecurity.

Dr Grant's primary research focus is the biology and conservation of elasmobranchs in non-marine environments. He is interested in the biology of river sharks and other ray species found in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea region.

Naomi's research explores the drivers of coral reef and coastal ecosystem function in order to improve livelihoods and food security in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly coastal and island based fishery dynamics in Indonesia.

Neil's research focuses on how mobile organisms utilise often heavily impacted coastal habitats, such as mangroves and seagrass beds. He is currently examining the ecology of mesopredators, including bamboo sharks, in these systems.

Dr Vu's research interests encompass aquaculture genetics and breeding design, applied aquaculture production, the development of cost-effective genomics tools, and environmentally friendly aquaculture farming practices.

Sandip's research focuses on the characterisation of allergenic proteins from different food and inhalant sources and their interaction with the human immune system through IgE antibodies.