Aquaculture and Animal Health

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.

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.

Ira Cooke is an Associate Professor in bioinformatics and co-director of the Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology. His research uses population genomics to understand local adaptation in the marine environment by connecting recent biogeographical events with evolutionary processes on specific genes and genomic regions.

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.

David Bourne has a joint position as a Senior Lecturer at James Cook University in Townsville and Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). His training is in the area of molecular microbial ecology with his research focused on investigation of microbial diversity, structure and function in complex ecosystems.

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.

Dr Jarrod Guppy’s research interests encompass aquatic animal genetics and genomics, advanced selective breeding, sexual development and manipulation, targeted gene silencing and applied advanced reproductive techniques for tropical aquaculture species.

Alisa is an aquaculture scientist specialising in macroalgae, with a focus on reproductive biology, new species development, and the use of bioinformatics to better understand fundamental biological processes. She is also passionate about exploring the applications of macroalgae in sustainable industries.

Dr. Simon Das is a Research Fellow at the College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Australia. His current research focuses on grouper nutrition and physiology, with the aim of developing effective diets to boost grouper production.

Dr Jin Yan Lim is a research fellow who will conduct research into the role bacterial microbiomes play in the production and health of various farmed species and how they link to other components of the aquaculture system.

Roberta Marcoli is dedicated to advancing sustainability and productivity in the aquaculture industry. Currently working as a Postdoctoral Researcher at James Cook University, she specializes in molecular biology and biotechnologies applications.

George is the Head of Chemical Engineering and his research focuses on sustainability in terms of energy generation, usage, and pollution control.

Rachel Neil recently completed her PhD in coral aquaculture, studying co-culture application to enhance captive coral production and now works as a project officer in the Tropical Aquafeed Innovations Lab.

Research project: Investigating the significance of viral pathogens on black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in aquaculture production.

Jose’s research focuses on the development of efficient breeding programs for tropical aquaculture species. He is passionate about marine finfish propagation (reproduction, genomics, selective breeding) and its integration with nutrition and fish health for the development of fast-growing and disease-resistant strains.

Susan’s research focuses on diseases in Asian Aquaculture. Her early work led to the discovery of several important diseases of barramundi, Lates calcarifer: scale drop viral disease, Lates calcarifer herpesvirus and big belly disease. Her current work is on the development of biomarkers as early indicators of disease in farmed fish, using haematology, blood biochemistry, histopathology, and molecular tools to study microbiome and eDNA around…

Dr. Shen’s research focuses on the development of robust aquaculture strains through selective breeding. Her work explores the genetic basis of growth and disease resistance and applies omics approaches to study nutrition, immunity, and gut microbiomes in farmed fish.

James’s research interests encompass alternative protein sources like insect meals, prebiotics, probiotics, and immunostimulants for aquaculture. He is keen to collaborate with companies and institutions on R&D for nutrition, aquafeed development, immunostimulants, or novel diet ingredients.

Dr. Maura Carrai is a molecular biologist specializing in viral diseases in aquaculture, with a focus on Scale Drop Disease Virus (SDDV) in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer). Her research supports the genetic selection of disease-resistant strains. With a broad background in human and animal virology, she has worked on viruses affecting cats, dogs, pigs, and fish. Notably, she discovered a novel feline papillomavirus (FcaPV6) during…

Vu Nguyen’s research interests include leveraging genetic and genomic information to inform aquatic selective breeding program; uncovering the genetic architecture of complex traits through the integration of multidimensional omics and high-throughput phenotyping data; and translating research outcomes into practical implications that enhance productivity and sustainability of aquaculture industry.

Dr. Yasumaru’s expertise is in the field of nutrient digestibility in fish and crustaceans, e.g., tilapia, Asian sea bass, whiteleg shrimp, mud crab. Her interest is in assessing the quality and sustainability of feed ingredients, as well as the role of seafood as part of a healthy diet.