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Science Honours Projects - 2022 CRICOS Provider No. 00103D
Contents Bachelor of Science Honours……………………. 2 How to apply for Honours…………………….…... 3 Biomedical Science………………………….…….. 4 Environmental Science……………………………. 8 Environmental and Mathematical Sciences….... 13 Information Technology…………………………… 14 Food Science…………………………..................... 15 Veterinary and Wildlife Science………….………. 16 School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 1
Bachelor of Science Honours
Students who excel in their undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for entry into the Bachelor of
Science Honours program. Honours is an intensive research-based program requiring an extra year of full-
time study (or 18 months part-time study) on top of your undergraduate degree.
What is Honours?
The Bachelor of Science Honours program (SZ8) is an additional fourth year of Undergraduate studies,
completed over 9 months full-time (FT), or 18 months part-time (PT). The main objective of the program is
to train students as professional research scientists.
Honours students engage in an individual research project under the close supervision of an academic
staff member with relevant expertise in their chosen field. Students also complete theoretical coursework
designed to complement their research and develop key skills in communication, critical analysis and
project management, equipping them for independent research roles in the workplace or for entry into
postgraduate research programs.
For more program information, see Honours course outline and Honours courses and assessment.
Why complete an Honours year?
For some students completing honours is the first step towards building an academic research career and
pursuing post graduate study. However, completing an Honours year also offers many benefits to those
looking to boost their marketability in an increasingly competitive job market.
Honours gives you the opportunity to:
• Get experience in real scientific research
• Extend your knowledge in a specialist field of interest
• Contribute new knowledge to your field (with possibility of publication)
• Develop workplace skills attractive to employers
• Use advanced techniques and equipment and broaden your technical skill set
Honours can be challenging, with a level of independence expected of students representing a significant
change from previous undergraduate courses. However, most students find that their Honours year is an
extremely rewarding experience.
The School of Science, Psychology and Sport Honours Research projects are available in the
following discipline areas, as listed in this Information Booklet:
• Biomedical Science
• Environmental Science
• Environmental and Mathematical Sciences
• Information Technology
• Food Science
• Veterinary and Wildlife Science
For more information on the Bachelor of Science Honours Program, contact the SZ8 Science Honours
course coordinator at your campus:
Berwick Campus Gippsland Campus Mt Helen Campus
Dr Rob Bischof Dr David Smith Dr Nicholas Shultz
r.bischof@federation.edu.au d.smith@federation.edu.au n.schultz@federation.edu.au
(03) 4313 7930 (03) 5122 6023 (03) 5327 9681
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 2
How to apply for Honours
As a guide, qualification for the Honours program requires students to have a GPA>6.0 (or equivalent) in
a relevant undergraduate degree, and the support of an academic supervisor.
In addition to completing an Online Application for entry to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) programs,
students will need to submit a completed Research Proposal Form, outlining their intended research
project which is also signed by their chosen supervisor(s).
Step 1 Find a Project and Supervisor
An Honours information session will be held as a webinar in Semester 2, which will provide you with an
introduction to the Bachelor of Science Honours program and the scope of research projects available to
students in 2022. You can also contact academic staff working in areas that interest you directly and ask
them if they would consider supervising you.
This Information Booklet contains a listing of Research projects suitable for Honours students in
2022. Note that this is not a complete list of available projects for 2022, so students are encouraged
to directly contact academic staff they are interested in working with to discuss possible Honours
projects.
It is a good idea to talk to a number of prospective supervisors to assess whether their research focus
aligns with your interests and whether you feel you could work well with their research group. If possible,
talk to other students in the group or past students who have worked with them as well.
Some questions to help you refine what you want to work on
• What aspects of your undergraduate degree have you found most interesting?
• Which courses did you enjoy the most?
• What topics or issues did you wish you could have studied in more depth?
• Which academic staff had a teaching style that you liked in undergraduate courses?
• Which academic staff are working in areas that interest you?
Step 2: Apply for Honours
FedUni students can complete an Online Application for entry into the honours program (SZ8). You will
also need to submit a completed Research Proposal Form signed by your prospective supervisor.
Students wanting to enrol in Honours at FedUni, who completed their undergraduate degree elsewhere
should contact the relevant Science Honours Program Coordinator to discuss eligibility requirements.
Step 3: Accept your offer
If you are offered a place in the honours program you need to formally accept your offer in writing. You
should also get in touch with your supervisor to discuss any additional requirements (eg ethics approvals,
laboratory safety training) for your project prior to starting your research work. Semester 1 intake typically
starts at the beginning of February, Semester 2 intake starts at the beginning of August.
Additional discipline-based information sessions may also be run, dates and details to be advised by email
to eligible students.
BSc Honours Scholarships
Several University scholarship opportunities may be available for BSc Hons candidates in 2022.
The School of Science, Psychology and Sport is offering 5 Honours Scholarships ($3,000 each) to be
awarded to applicants entering Honours in 2022. Applications will be assessed on the applicant’s academic
performance within their undergraduate degree.
For further information, contact the Science Honours course coordinator at your campus.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 3
Biomedical Science
Elucidation of mechanisms of intrinsic polymyxin Self-assembling peptides as building blocks for 3D
resistance in Gram-negative bacteria printable hydrogels
Location: Mt Helen Campus Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leader: Dr David Bean Project Leader: Dr Benjamin Long
Email: d.bean@federation.edu.au Email: bm.long@federation.edu.au
Project description: The rise of antibiotic resistance in Project description: Short self-assembling peptides have
pathogenic bacteria is a medical catastrophe – and it’s only set been shown to be useful building blocks for self-assembled
to get worse. Bacteria that do not respond to any antibiotics are hydrogels. This project aims to make enzymatically and
causing infections with increasing frequency, leaving clinicians spontaneously cross-linkable peptides for 3D printing hydrogel
few treatment options. One approach has been to re-introduce implants that mimic the extracellular matrix. These hydrogels
old, retired antibiotics, such as the polymyxins. The polymyxin can be tuned for anticancer properties, stroke rehabilitation and
drug, colistin, became the last resort drug for treating resistant neuron growth promotion. In
Gram-negative infections. The use of polymyxin drugs has led this project you will become
to an increase in resistance to these drugs. This project aims familiar with solid phase
to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of intrinsic polymyxin peptide synthesis, organic
resistance in four organisms: Hafnia paralvei, Aeromonas synthesis and a range of
hydrophila, Myroides odoratus, and Alcaligenes faecalis. chemical characterisation
techniques (IR, UV and
NMR Spectroscopy; HPLC-
MS; Small Angle X-ray
The development of unconventional T cells in the Scattering)
human thymus Key words: hydrogels, peptides
Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leaders: Prof Stuart Berzins, Dr Morgan Wallace
Email: s.berzins@federation.edu.au, The role of zinc in cell signalling
m.wallace@federation.edu.au
Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project description: There is growing interest in the function Project Leaders: A/Prof Mark Myers, Dr Scott Nankervis
of unconventional T cells and their role in diseases such as Email: m.myers@federation.edu.au
COVID-19, cancer and allergies. In many instances, the
unconventional T cell in these patients are abnormal, but it is Project description: Insulin resistance in muscle, liver and fat
unclear whether this has occurred as a result of the disease, or tissues is an underlying cause of diabetes. While calcium ions
if the development of these have long been recognized as second messengers in cells, a
cells was defective. The similar role for zinc has only recently emerged. Dysfunctional
developmental pathway of zinc signalling has been associated with important diseases
these cells is poorly defined including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and
in humans so this project will cancer. Our previous studies have shown that insulin causes a
use cells isolated from transient increase in the concentration of free zinc ions in
human blood, cord blood muscle cells. Understanding how this occurs may reveal new
and thymus to study gene ways of treating diabetes. The project will use genetic
expression and function as manipulation of the expression of genes involved in zinc control
the cells mature. and confocal microscopy imaging of live cells and intracellular
zinc sensors to work out how zinc signalling is controlled.
Techniques will include cell biology, advanced live cell
microscopy, cell transfection to manipulate gene expression,
Characterising immune changes in specific and qPCR.
disease settings Key words: zinc, diabetes, human disease
Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leaders: Prof Stuart Berzins, Dr Morgan Wallace
Email: s.berzins@federation.edu.au,
m.wallace@federation.edu.au
Project description: Comparing immune cells from patients
with those isolated from healthy people can reveal immune
changes associated with disease progression. This type of
characterisation is being undertaken for patient groups with
some forms of cancer, virus infection, and lung transplantation.
This approach provides useful insights into immune function
and may identify novel prognostic markers that can be used to
improve diagnosis and assist with the selection of appropriate
treatment strategies for patients.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 4
Biomedical Science (continued)
Novel pancreatic micro-peptides encoded by small Using RNA-Seq to determine the circular RNA
open reading frames (sORFs) in “non-coding” RNA profile of hypertensive human kidneys
Location: Mt Helen Campus Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leaders: A/Prof Mark Myers, Dr Scott Nankervis Project Leaders: Dr Priscilla Prestes, Dr Michelle Maier,
Email: m.myers@federation.edu.au Prof Fadi Chachar, Prof Maciej
Tomaszewski (Univ of Leicester, UK)
Project description: The pancreatic islets of Langerhans Email: p.prestes@federation.edu.au;
produce many important regulatory peptides including insulin m.maier@federation.edu.au;
and glucagon and numerous other peptides that also modulate f.charchar@federation.edu.au
metabolic control. Over recent years there has been an
explosion in the study of non-coding RNA e.g. long non-coding Project description: Hypertension is number the one risk
RNA or lncRNA and this is uncovering a whole new level of factor for many cardiovascular diseases. It is not clear which
genomic regulation. More recently it has become clear that a genes and transcripts are association with increased risk of
small proportion of lncRNA actually does encode small hypertension. Our hypothesis is that circular RNAs or/and their
proteins, or micro-peptides, which also have biological aberrant (exciting new RNA molecules previously thought of as
importance. We have discovered a lncRNA expressed in a JUNK RNA) may be one of the drivers. We will use next
pancreatic islet cell line that potentially encodes a peptide that generation sequencing and a range of cutting-edge
modulates insulin activity. The project will use bioinformatics technologies to determine which circular RNAs are expressed
and molecular biology to characterise lncRNA and proteomics in the human kidney.
to identify encoded micropeptides. Techniques will include
PCR, cDNA sequencing, cell transfection, and liquid
chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify
micropeptides.. Moxonidine and cell migration
Key words: diabetes, micropeptides, human disease
Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leader: Dr Yutang Wang
Email: Yutang.wang@federation.edu.au
The Y chromosome circular RNA – an emerging Project description: Atherosclerosis is the major underlying
molecule related to coronary artery disease (CAD) mechanism for stroke and heart attack. Treatment of
in men atherosclerosis can protect us from these diseases.
Atherosclerosis is characterised by the build-up of cholesterol
Location: Mt Helen Campus in the arteries. However, most research on atherosclerosis
Project Leaders: Dr Priscilla Prestes, Dr Michelle Maier, focuses on inflammation.
Prof Fadi Charchar One under-investigated
Email: p.prestes@federation.edu.au; area for atherosclerosis is
m.maier@federation.edu.au; the imbalance of cholesterol
f.charchar@federation.edu.au in the arteries. This project
will investigate the effect of
Project description: There is a well-known “male moxonidine, which can
disadvantage” in heart disease – men develop and die of it inhibit atherosclerosis, on
more frequently than women. The cause of this disparity is still the migration of monocytes,
not clear and is not explained by many traditional risk factors which is an important step for cholesterol efflux. The
such as diet. Circular RNAs are an underexplored molecule techniques involved include cell culture, confocal microscopy,
potentially associated with disease outcomes. We have shown cell migration assay, and quantitative PCR.
that the male sex Y chromosome is associated with increased
Key words: atherosclerosis, moxonidine, cell migration
risk of heart disease. The current proposed project will utilize
molecular techniques to measure the expression of circular
RNAs on the Y chromosome in patients with CAD. This may
improve our understanding of why men are more prone to heart
disease and could help to develop sex-specific methods for Renal denervation and abdominal aortic aneurysm
prevention and treatment of heart disease in the future.
Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leader: Dr Yutang Wang
Email: Yutang.wang@federation.edu.au
Project description: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is
estimated to cause 200,000 deaths each year. The only
treatment for AAA is surgical repair, and the latter is associated
with a risk of serious perioperative complications. There is an
urgent need to develop other therapies for AAA. Our
preliminary study showed that renal denervation decreased the
AAA formation in mice. This project aimed to investigate the
underlying mechanism using available mouse tissue. It
involves histology, immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR,
and biochemical analysis.
Key words: renal denervation, aortic aneurysm, morphology
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 5
Biomedical Science (continued)
Functionalised peptides for the detection of DNA damage repair pathways and mutagenesis
pyrophosphate in biological samples
Location: Gippsland Campus
Location: Mt Helen/Gippsland Campus Project Leader: Dr Gregory Davis
Project Leader: Dr Benjamin Long, Dr David Smith Email: greg.davis@federation.edu.au
Email: bm.long@federation.edu.au
Project description: DNA damage repair contributes to
Project description: Solid phase peptide synthesis allows for genomic stability in all eukaryotes. Due to this, the pathways
rapid prototyping of molecules for the binding and detection of associated with DNA damage repair are highly conserved from
pyrophosphate. The detection of pyrophosphate could allow for yeast through to humans. While these are well characterised,
rapid diagnosis of diseases such as pseudogout and the recruitment and maintenance of these repair mechanisms
renal/vascular calcification; as well as being a potential probe is largely unknown. This project will use the multicellular model
for cell viability. In this project you will become familiar with organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, to explore key genes
solid phase peptide synthesis, organic synthesis and a range required for repairing DNA damage and their contribution to
of chemical characterisation techniques (IR, UV and NMR maintaining chromosomal integrity in early embryonic events.
Spectroscopy; HPLC-MS). This project will involve several approaches including genetics,
immunohistochemistry, cloning and fluorescence microscopy.
Key words: detection, host-guest chemistry, diagnostics,
peptides Key words: DNA damage, genome, mutagenesis
Transcriptomics study of host parasite Interactions
Location: Gippsland Campus
Project Leader: Dr Phillip Brook-Carter
Email: phillip.brook-carter@federation.edu.au
Project description: The projects on offer will focus on the
analysis of the interactions that take place between the
parasite Giardia Duodenalis and the host intestinal epithelial
cells in an attempt to further
the understanding of the
mechanisms of parasitism
that lead to giardiasis. Understanding the lung microbiome in health and
Projects will focus on the disease
generation and / or analysis
of transcriptomic data Location: Berwick/Mt Helen/Gippsland Campus
representing host cell Project Leaders: Dr Rob Bischof, Dr Sarah Preston,
responses to Giardia infection, as well as the transcriptome of Prof David Piedrafita,
the parasite itself during parasitism. We have already identified A/Prof Andrew Greenhill
thousands of gene transcription changes in host cells during Email: r.bischof@federation.edu.au;
parasitism and we will explore this area more closely in sj.preston@federation.edu.au;
individual projects. david.piedrafita@federation.edu.au
There are up to 2 projects available (upon discussion) that
would suit both molecular biologists and / or those with a desire Project description: It is widely accepted that the lungs
to utilise bioinformatics on complex data sets. contain a small but dynamic endogenous microbial population
that plays an important role in normal lung physiology and
Key words: Giardia, transcriptomics, bioinformatics
function. Significant changes in the lung microbiome in
response to inflammation and disease of the lungs is also well
recognised, although gaps remain in our understanding of how
Screening of breast cancer type 1 and 2 the lung microbiome, with or without a link to the gut,
susceptibility proteins (BRCA1/2) in germ cells contributes to lung immunity and health. This project will
examine the lung microbiome in healthy and inflamed/diseased
Location: Gippsland Campus lungs using genomics, bioinformatics, and in vivo and in vitro
Project Leader: Dr Gregory Davis techniques, with a view to identify novel therapeutic targets for
Email: greg.davis@federation.edu.au the treatment of lung disease.
Project description: Mutations in key DNA damage repair Key words: lung microbiome, airway disease, inflammation
proteins BRCA1 and BRCA2 lead to a marked increase in
breast cancer in humans. Both BRCA1/2 are associated with
repairing breaks in DNA that could otherwise result in disease
associated mutations if not repaired. Although the role of
BRCA1/2 is understood, how BRCA1/2 are recruited to sites of
DNA damage are poorly understood. This study will use the
model organism C. elegans to explore proteins that associate
with BRCA1/2 in germ cells. This will include RNAi screening,
genetic cloning (CRISPR) and fluorescent microscopy. It is
anticipated that this project will identify key proteins that recruit
BRCA1/2 and enhance their function in the DNA damage repair
process.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 6
Biomedical Science (continued)
Characterisation of ACE2 expression in the lungs Preclinical testing of novel therapeutics using
sheep models of lung disease
Location: Berwick/Gippsland Campus
Project Leaders: Dr Rob Bischof, Prof David Piedrafita Location: Berwick/Gippsland Campus
Email: r.bischof@federation.edu.au; Project Leaders: Dr Rob Bischof, Prof David Piedrafita,
david.piedrafita@federation.edu.au Dr Paris Papagianis, Dr Habtamu Derseh
Email: r.bischof@federation.edu.au
Project description: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 david.piedrafita@federation.edu.au
(ACE2) is the cellular receptor for the severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The ACE2 Project description: Inhaled drug delivery for administration
receptor/protein is expressed in the upper and lower of medications, especially for treating lung-related conditions,
respiratory tract and plays a critical role in covid-19 infection is gaining considerable global interest. The inhaled delivery of
and transmission. With lungs similar to human lungs, sheep are approved drugs at lower doses and formulated in a different
widely recognised as a good translational model for human way to those currently being delivered systemically (eg oral) is
airway diseases. This study will examine cellular localisation proposed to be an efficient way to maximise therapeutic drug
and tissue distribution of the ACE2 protein in sheep lungs, concentration in the lungs and reduce side effects. This project
using molecular, biochemical and immunological techniques. will use sheep models developed in our laboratory to evaluate
This work may help to clarify potential targets for the the efficacy and therapeutic benefits of drug delivery to the
development of more effective antiviral therapies against lungs. Several project options will be available, and methods
COVID-19. will involve physiology, immunology, and in vivo and in vitro
Key words: ACE2 receptor, COVID-19, sheep airways techniques. Research here will facilitate the development and
clinical transition of more effective inhalable therapeutics.
Key words: lung disease, translational model, sheep
Functional and phenotypic characterisation of
airway macrophages
Location: Berwick/Gippsland Campus
Project Leaders: Dr Rob Bischof, Prof David Piedrafita
Email: r.bischof@federation.edu.au;
david.piedrafita@federation.edu.au
Project description: Airway macrophages are prominent
immune cells that are known to play an important role in
healthy and diseased lungs. Macrophage M1/M2 polarisation
and functional differentiation is affected by a range of stimuli,
but we know very little about the ’altered’ state of macrophages
in the context of airway disease. The aim of these studies is to
examine and better understand the characteristics of airway
macrophages in healthy and inflamed lung tissues. This project
will include immunohistology, microscopy, immunology and
cell biology techniques.
Key words: airway macrophages, inflammation
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 7
Environmental Science
Biodiversity of insect decomposers in Kosciusko Carcass management on sheep farms for ecological
National Park and veterinary benefits
Location: Mt Helen Campus Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leader: Dr Philip Barton Project Leader: Dr Philip Barton, Dr Sarah Preston
Email: ps.barton@federation.edu.au Email: ps.barton@federation.edu.au;
sj.preston@federation.edu.au
Project description: An exciting research project is currently
underway examining the biodiversity of insect and vertebrate Project description: Multiple projects are available for
scavengers found at deer and kangaroo carcasses in students to investigate the ecological and veterinary aspects of
Kosciusko National Park. This project will look at the flies and animal carcass management on farms. The carcasses of dead
beetles collected from carcasses, and to answer questions animals are consumed by a diversity of microbes, insects, and
about seasonal changes in important species. There is scope scavenging vertebrates, and broken down, recycled and
to conduct field work in the mountains, as well as learn new dispersed back into the environment. This process supports
skills in insect identification in the laboratory. Work will be done biodiversity and ecosystem productivity. In some situations,
in collaboration with experts at Federation University and the animal carcasses can host pathogens such as campylobacter,
University of Sydney. attract pest species such as foxes, or produce flystrike species
Key words: ecosystem function, insect, carrion, scavengers, such as Lucilia cuprina. Monitoring of carcasses can therefore
Kosciusko NP provide valuable information to farmers about health risks to
livestock.
There is scope for students to develop skills in field work and
laboratory procedures such as insect or parasite identification
and microbial genetic sequencing. Work will be done in
collaboration with local landholders, agricultural consultants,
and industry experts. Interested students can apply to
Australian Wool Education Trust for a $7000 scholarship to
support their honours year.
Key words: agriculture, biodiversity, carrion, insects,
parasites, scavengers, sheep farms
Effect of artificial light at night on insects as food
for fish and birds at Lake Wendouree
Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leaders: Dr Philip Barton, Dr Penelope
Greenslade, Dr Teresa Jones (University
of Melbourne)
Email: ps.barton@federation.edu.au;
p.greenslade@federation.edu.au
Project description: There is considerable evidence
accumulating on the deleterious effects of artificial lights at Characterisation of wetland submergence regimes
night on wildlife. This has recently been emphasised in the with electrical resistivity imaging
press and elsewhere on the damage to bogong moth
populations along their migratory route to montane areas Location: Mt Helen Campus
where they aestivate and provide food for the mountain pygmy Project Leader: Dr Ander Guinea
possum. Lake Wendouree is the most important habitat in Email: a.guinea@federation.edu.au
Ballarat for aquatic insects that, as larvae, are food for fish and
birds and as adults are a resource for bats as well as some Project description: Wetlands are important aquatic assets
birds. There is a plan to place artificial lights at 20 m intervals that support ecological diversity. The wetting and drying
all around lake Wendouree for the benefit of runners at night. It regimes of wetlands are an important feature which support the
has been observed that the existing trial lights attract large broader ecological health of the wetland system. The
numbers of flying insects at certain times of the year with the understanding how a wetland system is affected by seasonal
result that massive deaths occur from the heat and insect and climatic cycles is essential for its effective management.
debris that accumulates under them which has even been In DC geoelectrical techniques such as Electrical Resistivity
observed smouldering. It is proposed that this Honours work Imaging, an electrical current is injected into the ground
would involve sampling flying insects both at lights and where between one pair of electrodes and the voltage is measured
there are no lights in close proximity to the lake. The method to between another pair. This measurement is repeated along a
be used would be yellow sticky cards. If the results show a line of electrodes with regular spacing and as a result, the
significant difference between catches at lights compared to distribution of the electrical conductivity of the terrain can be
away from lights, it is planned that they will be submitted to calculated in 2D profiles or 3D models. The bulk resistivity of
local councils for consideration in future lighting plans in the the ground is affected by several parameters such as
city. composition and soil moisture content.
Key words: insects, artificial lights, fish, birds, bats This project will look to use resistivity techniques to better
understand the drying phases of wetlands to enable stronger
conceptual links to be formed between groundwater dependent
ecosystems, drying regimes, and groundwater level retreat.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 8Environmental Science
(continued)
Geoelectrical methods applied to the study of Suitability of Eucalypt species as lichen hosts
clogging in stormwater bio-filters
Location: Gippsland Campus
Location: Mt Helen Campus Project Leaders: Dr Simone Louwhoff, Dr Philip Barton
Project Leader: Dr Ander Guinea Email: s.louwhoff@federation.edu.au
Email: a.guinea@federation.edu.au
Project description: Trees are host to an amazing diversity of
Project description: The use of gravel infiltration trenches has dependent species, but have you ever thought about lichens?
been widely adopted in the stormwater management industry While lichens are frequently overlooked, they can play an
as a means to filter gross pollutants, and in some cases to important ecological role in eucalypt forests. Preliminary
assist with nutrient and sediment removal. However, the observations show that Eucalyptus radiata in lowland forest is
performance of these filters can deteriorate over time if they a suitable host for 15 species with lichens extending far into the
become clogged with biofilms or other obstructions. canopy. Due to their continuously flaking and shedding bark,
Maintenance of these filters is sometimes required, but the many eucalypts are poor lichen hosts. However, species that
clogging phenomena is not well understood. retain their finely textured bark almost to the outer canopy
In DC geoelectrical techniques, an electrical current is injected branches, provide suitable habitats for several different
into the ground between one pair of electrodes and the lichens. Although no lichens appeared restricted to E. radiata,
electrical characteristics of the ground can be determined. A some degree of specificity with eucalypts has been observed,
recent study has stablished that there is a relationship between including the bright yellow, leprose lichen Chrysothrix
the electrical chargeability of a biofilter and the presence of candelaris. Other large trees comprising the over storey in
clogging biofilms. In this project, geolectrical assessment lowland forest (E. obliqua and E. consideniana), also have bark
techniques like induced polarization and electrical resistivity persistent into the canopy branches but, overall, only limited
imaging will be used for monitoring the clogging process in research into their suitability as a lichen host has been
biofilters. This will allow to better understand and predict the conducted.
development of biofilms and to help inform maintenance and
remediation regimes of biofilters.
Bioaccumulation and effect of emerging
contaminants in the environment
Location: Mt Helen/Gippsland Campus
Project Leader: Dr Benjamin Long, Dr Nick Schultz,
Dr David Smith
Email: bm.long@federation.edu.au
Phone: (03) 5327 9452 The overall objective is to conduct a systematic field survey of
eucalypts as lichen hosts, with a special focus on host
Project description: Emerging contaminants such as specificity and observation of lichens and burnt bark. These
Pharmaceuticals, PFAS and microplastics are known to be data can be used to contribute knowledge to restoration efforts
discharged to the environment. Little is known about the and what tree species to plant to maximise potential for lichen
concentrations of these contaminants in the Australian diversity. Students will develop vegetation and lichen
environment and their penetration through the food web. In this identification skills (including microscopy and thin layer
project you will contribute to the characterisation of the problem chromatography), skills in analysing the biodiversity data sets,
and help measure the effects of these contaminants on the and scientific writing. This project will aim to (1) identify the
environment (through environmental sampling and or lichen flora on eucalypt trees in different vegetation types, (2)
microcosm studies). You will become familiar with field investigate if some trees host more species than others, and if
sampling techniques, solid phase extraction (SPE and some lichens are specific to particular eucalypts, (3) comment
QuEChERS) and HPLC-MS/MS. on the potential value of some lichens to be indicators of
eucalypt forest integrity, and (4) investigate a connection
between lichens and burnt eucalypt bark.
Key words: lichen, indicators, host specificity, lichen hosts,
ecosystem, ecological role
Key words: pharmaceuticals, emerging contaminants,
detection
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 9Environmental Science
(continued)
Lichens as indicators of ecosystem functionality in Colorimetric detection of drugs
revegetated forests
Location: Gippsland /Mt Helen Campus
Location: Gippsland/Berwick Campus Project Leaders: Dr David Smith, Dr Benjamin Long
Project Leaders: Dr Simone Louwhoff, Dr Philip Barton Email: d.smith@federation.edu.au
Email: s.louwhoff@federation.edu.au bm.long@federation.edu.au
Project description: In Victoria, as elsewhere, clearing of our Project description: Colorimetric testing is a quick chemical
native vegetation and associated loss of habitat and method used by law enforcement for drug detection and
biodiversity has been extensive. In an effort to remediate this, identification. However, it can suffer from poor selectivity,
revegetation programs aim to return fragmented landscapes to especially among structurally similar drugs (eg amphetamines,
a more functional state. Lichens are sensitive to microclimatic pseudoephedrine, salbutamol). Colorimetric sensing arrays
conditions and have long been known as good indicators of may be able to improve detection methods by using several
habitat continuity. They also play an important ecological role non-selective probes in combination to create a unique finger-
and it is important to recognise their potential contribution to print response to the drug analytes. This project aims to create
revegetated forests. Lichens have been used to monitor a sensing array using a range of chemical dyes and indicators
ecosystem function or health (described as including for the detection and differentiation of phenethylamine
maintenance of productivity, nutrient cycling, and disturbance containing compounds which is a core structure found in a
response) of a forest. Their presence can, therefore, be used range of drug molecules.
as an indication that this has been re-created at a revegetated Key words: colorimetric, sensing array, drug detection
site. The overall objective is to determine if individual lichen
species or lichen assemblages can be used to determine the
success of a revegetation project in mimicking the ecosystem
functionality usually associated with remnant vegetation. Ecology and Water Chemistry of the Morwell
Students will identify the lichen flora of revegetation projects in Wetlands
different successional stages, and compare lichen species in
revegetated patches with those in remnant patches in similar
Location: Gippsland Campus
ecological vegetation classes (EVCs). Project Leader: Dr Jess Reeves
Key words: lichen, indicators, ecosystem functionality, Email: j.reeves@federation.edu.au
revegetation, monitoring, restoration
Project description: This project will look at the seasonal
water quality variability and ecology of the Morwell Wetlands.
Depending on your interest, the project can either focus on the
Gone to ground: Rediscovering the Eastern flora (aquatic vegetation, algal communities) or the fauna
Ground Parrot in the Otways (invertebrate assemblages) of the wetlands. Sampling will be
undertaken in March-April and again in August-September and
Location: Mt Helen Campus related to both climatic events and discharge regimes of the
Project Leader: Dr Grant Palmer local industries. There is scope to improve the ecological
Email: g.palmer@federation.edu.au values of Morwell Wetlands, so this project will provide a
‘before’ study, to determine the current condition and variability
Project description: The Eastern Ground Parrot Pezoporus of the wetland system, prior to changes in the flow of the
wallicus is a threatened species in Victoria. During the Morwell, in light of the mine site rehabilitation project.
2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires, large areas of their habitat Key words: wetlands, ecology, climate change, rehabilitation,
were impacted in eastern Australia. Historically an isolated water chemistry
population of this species occurred in the Otways region,
western Victoria. This isolated sub-population was considered
possibly locally extinct until this cryptic species was
unexpectedly recorded during a remote camera survey in the Efficacy of Traralgon Artificial Wetlands
region sparking new interest in its status in the area. A team
from FedUni, DELWP, Parks Victoria, Eastern Marr and Location: Gippsland Campus
Wadawarrung Aboriginal Corporations has formed to Project Leader: Dr Jess Reeves
investigate the rediscovery of this species in the Otways. This Email: j.reeves@federation.edu.au
project will include formal surveys (including using remote
audio detection), habitat assessment and habitat suitability Project description: The Latrobe City Council has established
mapping to inform species conservation and recovery. a number of vegetated wetlands for treatment of both industrial
Key words: heathland, fire management and ecology, and urban stormwaters. The council are interested to see how
species conservation, species recovery. effective their design is. This will be tested by undertaking bi-
monthly sampling of the wetlands for water quality, nutrients,
invertebrates and vegetation. There are also parallel projects
related to the construction of the wetland and flow regimes
(engineering) and social value of the wetland sites (social
science).
Key words: wetlands, ecology, climate change,
Rehabilitation, water chemistry
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 10Environmental Science
(continued)
Ecology and Water Chemistry of the Morwell Living Bung Yarnda (Lake Tyers) environmental
Wetlands stewardship plan
Location: Gippsland Campus Location: Gippsland Campus
Project Leader: Dr Jess Reeves Project Leader: Dr Jess Reeves
Email: j.reeves@federation.edu.au Email: j.reeves@federation.edu.au
Project description: This project will look at the seasonal Project description: This project involves both the
water quality variability and ecology of the Morwell Wetlands. development of an integrated citizen science environmental
Depending on your interest, the project can either focus on the program and analysis of the community and project
flora (aquatic vegetation, algal communities) or the fauna development itself. The environmental aspect will include a
(invertebrate assemblages) of the wetlands. Sampling will be review of existing monitoring programs including water quality,
undertaken in March-April and again in August-September and waterbugs, fish, birds, vegetation and mammal scats and
related to both climatic events and discharge regimes of the scratchings. A database will be developed, specific to Lake
local industries. There is scope to improve the ecological Tyers, but contributing to larger, extant monitoring programs. It
values of Morwell Wetlands, so this project will provide a will also involve recruitment and training of volunteer
‘before’ study, to determine the current condition and variability participants and analysis of the first 6 months of data collected,
of the wetland system, prior to changes in the flow of the to be presented at a community forum. The social science
Morwell, in light of the mine site rehabilitation project. aspect of the project will map the process of recruitment,
Key words: wetlands, ecology, climate change, rehabilitation, engagement and community outreach of the program, beyond
water chemistry the participants. It will also map the environmental values of
the various interest groups around Lake Tyers, to assist in
development of the Environmental Stewardship program.
Healthy Agricultural Soils
Location: Gippsland Campus
Project Leader: Dr Jess Reeves
Email: j.reeves@federation.edu.au
Project description: This is a two phase project looking at the
chemistry and biology of agricultural soils in Southern
Gippsland. We are working with 8 properties who are
Embedding the Sustainable Development Goals in interested in improving their soil health. They have employed a
Gippsland range of techniques,
including compost, mulch,
Location: Gippsland Campus organic fertilisers, grazing
Project Leader: Dr Jess Reeves and crop rotation. The
Email: j.reeves@federation.edu.au project will look at the
efficacy of each of these
Project description: This investigation will develop a model of methods on soil health
how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can influence across a range of
and create better alignment of organisational strategies and agricultural landscapes
plans in Gippsland. The model will be based on work and produce types. The project forms part of Growing Southern
undertaken by the Melbourne City Council, Dairy Australia, the Gippsland, funded by the DELWP Climate Change Adaptation
Latrobe Valley Authority and Wellington Shire Council. grants and led by Bass Coast Landcare Network.
Through the pilot of the Gippsland Smart Specialisation
Strategy, the project will also map to how the SDG framework
can better inform and underpin other key organisational
strategies. Research will involve assessing the current status
of awareness of the SDGs across Gippsland, develop and trial
tools for tracking and prioritising progress toward the SDGs
and evaluate behaviour change. This project is supported by
the Latrobe Valley Authority.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 11Environmental Science
(continued)
Habitat specificity and competitive traits of Seed ecology and agronomy of a selected
Australian acacias invaded to natural landscapes Murnong (Microseris) yam daisy species
in Asia Pacific: a global review
Location: Berwick/Mt Helen Campus
Location: Berwick/Mt Helen Campus Project Leader: Dr Kushan Tennakoon,
Project Leader: Dr Kushan Tennakoon, Prof S. K. Florentine (Florry)
Prof S. K. Florentine (Florry) Dr Nick Schultz
Email: k.tennakoon@federation.edu.au; Email: k.tennakoon@federation.edu.au;
s.florentine@federation.edu.au s.florentine@federation.edu.au
Project description: The genus Acacia (Family: Fabaceae; Project description: Murnong (Microseris sp.) has long been
subfamily: Mimosoideae) commonly known as Wattles are recognised as one of the most important staple food sources
native to both Australia and Africa. The Acacia lineage native for Aboriginal people of the grassy plains of south-eastern
to Australia comprise over 900 species are found in different Australia. However, Murnong on the plains became scarce
habitats: from coastal to subalpine regions, from high rainfall to after the introduction of sheep and rabbits. Murnong persist
arid areas, in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions. now in isolated undisturbed grassland remnants and dry
Approximately 300 Acacia spp. of Australian origin have been sclerophyll forests in Victoria. Recently, Walsh (2016)
introduced around the world as timber and ornamental plants conducted a taxonomic revision which increased Microseris
and approximately 23 of them have become highly invasive in from two to three species. In Victoria Microseris walteri (largely
many terrestrial ecosystems and causing significant impact on found in central and western Victoria), M. scapigera (south-
biodiversity. Ten Acacia spp. (with six species of Australian west Victoria), and M. lancelota (eastern part of Victoria) exist.
origin viz. A. longifolia subsp. sophorae, A. mangium, A. The Murnong SEED Citizen Science Project (SEED - Studies
mearnsii, A. melanoxylon, A. retinodes. and A. saligna) are Exploring Edible Daisies) is a joint Higher Ed and TAFE FedUni
listed in the Global Invasive Species Database with one project, with the assistance of more than 200 citizen scientists
species (A. mearnsii) being in the 100 most invasive species and gardeners. It aims to explore the growth form and
list. distribution of the two local species, analyse their nutritional
and medicinal value and build up stocks for education and
revegetation projects here in Victoria.
This project will investigate the seed ecology and agronomy of
one of the Murnong species. Knowledge of optimum growth
requirements of Murnong species is critically important to
develop cultivation protocols for eventual bushland and
grassland revegetation projects using this culturally significant
species. A suitable candidate can (i) examine the influence
selected environmental factors such as temperature, light, pH,
Salinity, soil moisture, and burial depth on the germination and
emergence of the seeds of one of Microseris species in
It is vital to identify a discrete set of characteristics which Victoria, and (ii) examine the effect of different soil types, light
facilitate successful invasion by exotic plants such as Acacia and application of synthetic fertilisers on the growth and
species in non-original regions. It has been claimed that establishment of the same Microseris species under controlled
invasive plants typically possess novel traits or exhibit more conditions (plant house study to be conducted in the Ballarat
extreme trait values which confer on their competitive Campus).
advantage over native flora such characteristics: (i) rapid
growth, (ii) high N–fixing ability, (iii) heteroblasty and (iv) high
flexibility in physiological performance found in Australian
Acacia spp. However, no clear separation of particular trait sets
has been reported for either highly invasive or less invasive
different environmental conditions. We found that plant
invasion studies have been unevenly distributed
biogeographically, with the majority conducted in either
Temperate or Mediterranean climate regions. The
Mediterranean climate is shared by the Mediterranean Basin,
California, Chile, the Western Cape of South Africa and
Southern Australia. In contrast, related studies in other climate
types such as the seasonal tropics are still scarce. Thus, an
assessment of the contribution of traits to success of Australian
Acacia species’ invasions under these largely unstudied
conditions/climates in the Asia Pacific will help us to better
understand invasive mechanisms and subsequently develop
control approaches.
This project will aim to provide insights into Australian Acacia
invasiveness for the more efficacious selection of management
practices, including control.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 12Environmental and Mathematical
Sciences
Climatological characteristics of tropical cyclone Long-term changes in tropical cyclone landfall
rainfall in the Pacific Islands over Australia
Location: Mt Helen Campus Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leader: Dr Savin Chand Project Leader: Dr Savin Chand
Email: s.chand@federation.edu.au Email: s.chand@federation.edu.au
Project description: Pacific island countries have high Project description: Tropical cyclones are one of the costliest
concentrations of settlements in close proximities to coastlines. natural disasters affecting coastal communities around tropical
These communities are highly vulnerable to extreme tropical Australia. However, due to quality and quantity issues
cyclone rainfalls, and at present there is little quantitative surrounding tropical cyclone database and the presence of
information on how these risks have changed over the past large variability from natural sources at multiple timescale, it is
decades and will change under a warmer climate. The difficult to ascertain how TC characteristics have changed over
frequency and magnitude of tropical cyclones are likely to Australia. This project utilises results from climate model
change and so are the risks they pose for coastal communities simulations to examine high-impact features of our past and
and infrastructure. This project will emphasise on magnitude- future tropical cyclone activity over Australia. In particular, we
frequency relationship of tropical cyclone rainfall on selected will examine model-derived TCs for past several decades over
Pacific island countries. Understanding the impact of climate Australia and determine how the landfall characteristics of
change on the magnitude of tropical cyclone rainfalls provides tropical cyclones have changes over the coastal regions.
one indication of conditions under a changed climate, but it is
also useful to understand the expected changes in the
frequency of extreme rainfalls.
Downscaling bushfire conditions to the station-
scale in regional Victoria
Location: Mt Helen Campus
Project Leader: Dr Savin Chand
Email: s.chand@federation.edu.au
Project description: Climate models are very useful tools to
understand how climate change may affect bushfire conditions Statistical assessment of tropical cyclone intensity
in Australia. However, due to their coarse resolution and other from climate models
inherent deficiencies (such as parametrization issues),
resolving the station-scale changes in the climate conditions is Location: Mt Helen Campus
problematic. The main emphasis of this project is to downscale Project Leader: Dr Savin Chand
climate model output to the station-scale in order to better Email: s.chand@federation.edu.au
understand the changes at local-scale. Several case studies
will be used, utilising data from regional and remote locations Project description: Over the past few years, our
in Victoria. understanding of tropical cyclones has improved considerably
through improvements in climate model simulations of ocean
and atmospheric processes. However, there are still
reservations around model simulation of tropical cyclone
intensities, which need very fine model resolution to be
explicitly resolved. Such fine-resolution simulation is difficult
due high computation cost, as well as issues with model
parametrization. Regardless, cutting-edge mathematical and
statistical techniques can now provide opportunities to
examine high-impact features of tropical cyclones – such as
tropical cyclone intensity – through drawing “links” with large-
scale environment in which tropical cyclones form. The main
emphasis of this work is to examine the relationship between
tropical cyclone intensity and several large-scale features, and
develop statistical models to assess changes in cyclone
intensity in current and future climate scenarios.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 13Information Technology
Utility-based reinforcement learning Implementing and evaluating the forall-network
approach to deep multiobjective reinforcement
Location: Mt Helen Campus or Online learning
Project Leader: A/Prof Peter Vamplew
Email: p.vamplew@federation.edu.au Location: Mt Helen Campus or Online
Project Leader: A/Prof Peter Vamplew
Project description: In recent years reinforcement learning Email: p.vamplew@federation.edu.au
has been a hot topic in artificial intelligence research, achieving
spectacular results such as defeating the human world Project description: Multiobjective reinforcement learning
champion at Go. However, researchers are increasingly (MORL) extends the reinforcement learning paradigm from
realising that defining appropriate rewards to produce the simple, single-objective tasks (e.g. ‘win this game of Go’) to
desired behaviour may be difficult outside of simple, well- more complex problems with multiple, conflicting objectives
defined domains like games. In particular agents which aim to (such as trading off economic and environmental factors). One
optimise simple rewards derived directly from their interesting characteristic of MORL is that multiple optimal
environment may exhibit unexpected and undesirable policies exist, representing different trade-offs between the
behaviour. This project will investigate whether the application objectives, and an agent can potentially learn multiple policies
of the concept of non-linear utility to rewards may result in at the same time. While some approaches have been made to
different, possibly preferable behaviour. In particular it will developing multi-policy Deep MORL algorithms they currently
consider whether this approach in combination with the exhibit some inefficiencies in learning. This project will
concept of expected scalarised reward from multiobjective implement and empirically evaluate a novel approach (the
reinforcement learning may result in improve risk-aware forall-network which uses a unique network architecture to
behaviour in stochastic environments. directly support multi-policy learning).
Investigating and addressing unstable value
functions in multiobjective reinforcement learning
Location: Mt Helen Campus or Online
Project Leader: A/Prof Peter Vamplew
Email: p.vamplew@federation.edu.au
Project description: Multiobjective reinforcement learning
(MORL) extends the reinforcement learning paradigm from
simple, single-objective tasks (e.g. ‘win this game of Go’) to
more complex problems with multiple, conflicting objectives
(such as trading off economic and environmental factors).
While standard RL methods like Q-learning have been
extended to handle multiple objectives, we have observed in
recent experiments that they can suffer from instabilities in their
value function, which can slow learning or lead to sub-optimal
solutions. This project will identify the conditions under which
this instability can arise, quantify the impact on the learning
performance, and explore possible approaches to address this
issue.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 14Food Science
Thermal stress resistance of Salmonella in Production of aroma compounds from the
chocolate fermentation of native Australian honeys
Location: Mt Helen Campus Location: Gippsland Campus
Project Leader: Dr David Bean Project Leaders: Dr David Smith, A/Prof Andrew Greenhill
Email: d.bean@federation.edu.au Email: d.smith@federation.edu.au
Project description: Salmonella is a leading cause of Project description: Honey
gastroenteritis. Typically, the organism is inactivated by can be fermented to produce
cooking, but in some low water activity foods (chocolate in an alcoholic beverage
particular) the thermal resistance of Salmonella is enhanced, known as mead. The flavour
making it difficult to irradicate the organism. This project aims and aroma of the resulting
to elucidate the mechanism behind this increase resistance to mead is influenced by
heat, and in particular, understand the difference heat several factors, including the
resistance observed between different Salmonella serotypes. type and source of honey
used. Little is known about how native Australian honeys
impact these profiles. This project will examine the flavour and
aroma compounds produced during the fermentation of
eucalypt honeys. Analysis will be performed using gas
chromatography mass spectrometry and sensory evaluation.
Key words: fermentation, aroma, GCMS
Hydration of yeast in brewing: adding value or
unnecessary risk?
Location: Mt Helen/Gippsland Campus
Project Leader: Dr David Bean, A/Prof Andrew Greenhill
Email: d.bean@federation.edu.au;
andrew.greenhill@federation.edu.au
Project description: There has been great advancements in
dry yeasts for the brewing industry in the past 10 – 15 years.
Until recently there were relatively few brewing yeast strains
available as dry yeast; though now there is a greater range and
an increasing acceptance of dried yeast. However, there are
still some reservations in some sectors of brewing fraternity,
perhaps in part because large breweries have their own yeasts
strains thus do not depend on dried yeast. However, amongst
many in the craft brewing industry dried yeasts have gained
acceptance. Dried yeast has many advantages over liquid
yeast, not the least the storage life of dried yeast. Craft brewing
is a key potential market for dried yeast producers.
Beyond acceptability of dried yeast, there remains debate over
the need to rehydrate dried yeast prior to pitching. Some
manufacturers suggest pitching yeast directly, others
recommend rehydrating the yeast first. To add to the confusion,
texts and brewing websites (many targeting home-brewers)
provide opinions, often conflicting. Currently, decisions are
being made on whether to
rehydrate yeast before
pitching based on opinions
rather than data. Moreover,
many of the opinions are
influenced by dried yeast
characteristics of >10 years
ago, not on the current
product.
The value of rehydrating dried yeast is an important research
question. Dried yeast is a highly convenient product; however,
the need to rehydrate does detract from that convenience.
Moreover, there may be quality risks associated with
rehydration, not the least the risk of contamination. This study
seeks to determine the value of re-hydrating various strains of
brewer’s yeast.
School of Science, Psychology and Sport – BSc Honours Research Projects 2022 15You can also read
