New South Wales

University of Wollongong

DP0986748 Dr SJ Bennett; Dr KA Maton

Approved Living and Learning in a Knowledge Society: The implications of young adults'

Project Title knowledge-creating practices for higher education

2009 : $ 40,000

2010 : $ 40,000

Primary RFCD 3301 EDUCATION STUDIES

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

As society moves into a new era, knowledge creation has become vital to Australia's participation in global society.

Knowledge creation fuels innovation and economic prosperity, and fosters social cohesion through new forms of

community engagement. Young adults play an important role in our society as the next generation of knowledge

workers, with many already active knowledge creators in their everyday and academic lives. By investigating how

young adults create knowledge across these diverse contexts, this research will provide important practical insights

for educators and policy-makers who are trying to determine the role of higher education in a knowledge society.

DP0986628 Dr SJ Blanksby; Dr TW Mitchell; Dr K Ekroos

Approved New methods to complete the lipidomics puzzle: revealing the structural diversity of

Project Title lipids by mass spectrometry

2009 : $ 80,000

2010 : $ 55,000

2011 : $ 70,000

Primary RFCD 2701 BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

Lipid-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease are reaching epidemic proportions in the

western world. The integration of innovative techniques will provide Australia with unique capabilities to investigate

these diseases and place Australia at the forefront of lipid research internationally.

DP0986738 Dr SJ Blanksby

Approved New insights into free radical reactivity via gas phase studies of radical anions

Project Title

2009 : $ 140,000

2010 : $ 90,000

2011 : $ 90,000

Primary RFCD 2501 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (INCL. STRUCTURAL)

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

Free radicals are known to be critical reactive intermediates in chemical processes ranging from the formation of

photochemical smog, through combustion to the onset of age-related diseases. This research increases our

understanding of how free radicals react and will thus allow for more accurate prediction, and in some instances

greater control, of the outcomes of chemical reactions and their health and environmental consequences. New

instrumental technologies will be developed and young Australian researchers will be trained here, and with

collaborators in the USA, in state-of-the-art techniques (particularly in mass spectrometry) that are essential to our

emerging technology-based economy.

DP0987232 Dr AR Clarke; Prof RJ Barry

Approved Development of Central Nervous System Functioning in AD/HD: a Longitudinal Study

Project Title

2009 : $ 80,000

2010 : $ 70,000

2011 : $ 60,000

Primary RFCD 3801 PSYCHOLOGY

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a debilitating problem affecting 5% of children. AD/HD causes

substantial school problems and predisposes the child to drug and alcohol abuse, marital breakdown, criminal

prosecution and psychiatric problems in later life. At present we know very little about the underlying causes of the

behavioural changes seen in this disorder. This project will clarify the maturational abnormalities in brain function

that occur from childhood through to adulthood in this disorder. Better understanding of the normal developmental

paths of this disorder will have major clinical benefits as it will allow the development of more optimal treatment

plans for these children.

DP0984797 Prof NE Dixon; Dr T Huber; Dr K Ozawa; Dr M Tehei

Approved Mapping Protein Contacts and Conformational Changes in Macromolecular Assemblies

Project Title

2009 : $ 190,000

2010 : $ 190,000

2011 : $ 190,000

2012 : $ 160,000

2013 : $ 160,000

Primary RFCD 2701 BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

ARF Dr K Ozawa

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

We now have a great deal of information about the structures of proteins that interact to do much of the chemistry

that governs the lives of cells and organisms, but are just beginning to understand how proteins communicate with

each other in the large, dynamic molecular machines that carry out many cellular functions. Australia has invested

in expensive instrumentation that can be used in conjunction with new laboratory methods to develop better

understanding of how these machines work, and how they malfunction in disease. This project will bring together

four scientists with a unique combination of expertise and novel technologies to develop understanding of changes

in structure of a large protein complex in different functional states.

DP0985300 Dr A Dolnik

Approved From Emergence to Demise: Examining the Dynamic Life Cycle of Terrorist Campaigns

Project Title

2009 : $ 90,000

2010 : $ 85,000

2011 : $ 135,000

2012 : $ 65,000

2013 : $ 85,000

Primary RFCD 3602 POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

Australia has made a long term commitment to the global campaign against terrorism, under the sound premise

that it will take a persistent investment of energy and resources to succeed, and the notion that success in this

struggle will be contingent on the depth of our knowledge about the nature of the threat. This project will contribute

to this effort by enhancing global understanding of the different stages of the dynamic life cycle of terrorist

campaigns, and by formulating empirically based policy recommendations that will move beyond flawed quick-fix

solutions, toward the building of a consistent long-term incremental strategy for managing a threat that will never

fully disappear.

DP0986666 Dr AW Gorman-Murray

Approved Men on the home front: spatialities of domesticity and masculinity

Project Title

2009 : $ 90,000

2010 : $ 90,000

2011 : $ 82,652

Primary RFCD 4203 CULTURAL STUDIES

APD Dr AW Gorman-Murray

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

This project promotes 'good health and well being for all Australians'. Case studies 1 and 2 investigate the factors

underpinning self-reliance and family support in a time of changing household structures. They seek to understand

how the domestic lives of men both living alone, and in families, can better contribute to social well-being and wider

community interaction and cohesion. Case study 3 focuses on a group of men marginalised from wider society and

the care networks servicing the aged community, thus providing knowledge that will improve the mental and

physical capacities of older gay men.

DP0986898 Dr HC Hill; Dr PD Claes; Prof A Johnston

Approved Face-space: linking three-dimensional shape and human perception across changing

Project Title viewing conditions.

2009 : $ 80,000

2010 : $ 30,000

2011 : $ 50,000

Primary RFCD 3801 PSYCHOLOGY

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

People, and increasingly machines, use faces to identify and interact with people. One source of information

available for this is the three-dimensional (3D) shape of the face. This information, unlike a photograph, does not

change with lighting and viewpoint. This project will link measurements of face shape to the perceived similarities

and differences between faces we use to make decisions. This will facilitate the use of 3D databases in diverse

applications including establishing identity, making facial reconstructions of victims of crime or disaster, making

databases searchable, computer animation, archaeology, and plastic surgery. In particular the work will make

physical databases relevant to human perception.

DP0985208 Prof JM Hill; Dr BJ Cox

Approved Mathematical and mechanical models in nano-engineering and nanomedicine

Project Title

2009 : $ 190,000

2010 : $ 130,000

2011 : $ 110,000

2012 : $ 180,000

Primary RFCD 2918 INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING

APD Dr BJ Cox

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

The major environmental problems generated from global warming and the major human health problems, like

cancer and diabetes, if they are to be solved at all, will most likely be resolved making use of advances in

nanobiotechnology. This proposal will position Australia as a leader in the modelling of nanodevices such as

gigahertz oscillators, nano-electromagnets, nanosensors, nanosyringes and nanoporous media suitable for

hydrogen storage and gas separation, which will lead to new technologies and commercial spin-offs that will be of

major benefit to this country. The applicants will develop a range of topics in nano-engineering and nanomedicine,

training a team that will provide the next generation of researchers in these vital areas.

DP0985395 Dr C Jones

Approved Phonological development in child speakers of mixed language

Project Title

2009 : $ 69,804

2010 : $ 69,804

2011 : $ 67,612

2012 : $ 23,137

Primary RFCD 3802 LINGUISTICS

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

In Northern Territory Aboriginal communities where traditional languages are mostly spoken fluently by older

people, the home language for many children is a kind of mixed language combining elements of traditional

languages, Kriol and English. This project will document for the first time the sound system of this language, and

investigate how children's background knowledge of this sound system prepares them to learn words in English

and traditional languages. This information is important because it can help parents, teachers and speech

pathologists assess and teach Aboriginal children from mixed language backgrounds.

DP0984651 Prof SC Jones; Dr LK Kervin

Approved Measuring children's responsiveness to food advertising

Project Title

2009 : $ 60,000

2010 : $ 30,000

2011 : $ 30,000

Primary RFCD 3502 BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

This will be the first study, in Australia or elsewhere, that concurrently examines food promotions across a range of

child-targeted media, in real-time, and investigates the way that these commercial messages are attended to,

interpreted, and responded to by young people. This project will assist us in developing appropriate regulatory and

social marketing responses to non-television advertising to children, will have valuable flow-on effects for

measuring the effects of advertising of other types of products, and via other media, and will place Australia at the

forefront of research in this area.

DP0984200 Prof RA Lewis; Dr J Horvat; Dr W Xu

Approved Better emitters, enhanced optics, superior detectors: advancing terahertz science and

Project Title technology for applications in medicine, agriculture, industry and national security

2009 : $ 120,000

2010 : $ 90,000

2011 : $ 90,000

Primary RFCD 2909 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

We will start with a new fundamental study of the interaction of light and matter to explicate the phenomena of the

emission, transmission and detection of terahertz electromagnetic radiation. Using our increased understanding of

terahertz science, we will then engineer better terahertz sources, optics, and sensors. Better terahertz technology

will open up new applications in medical diagnosis, especially dermatology; industrial productivity, such as quality

control; and the detection of contraband, including illicit drugs and explosives. In maintaining good health,

transforming industries and safeguarding Australia, advanced terahertz systems will bring the nation health,

economic and security benefits.

DP0985389 Dr LD Nghiem; Prof M Elimelech

Approved Optimising nanofiltration and reverse osmosis filtration processes for water recycling:

Project Title effects of fouling and chemical cleaning on trace contaminant removal

2009 : $ 65,000

2010 : $ 65,000

2011 : $ 65,000

Primary RFCD 2906 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

In Australia, water recycling is considered a principal measure to manage the current ongoing water shortage and

to better protect the environment. Membrane filtration processes play important roles in the treatment of reclaimed

municipal wastewater. However, there is very limited knowledge regarding the reliability of such processes in

removing trace contaminants from recycled water, which may result in unintended health consequences. This

research will lead to a comprehensive understanding of the removal process of such contaminants by membrane

filtration. Consequently, the likely avenue of risk can be eliminated and the treatment process can be optimised to

achieve economic savings and environmental protection.

DP0988812 Prof MM Olsson

Approved Evolutionary biomedicine: genetic pathologies as selection agents in three model

Project Title systems

2009 : $ 205,000

2010 : $ 170,000

2011 : $ 170,000

2012 : $ 90,000

2013 : $ 90,000

Primary RFCD 2707 ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION

APF Prof MM Olsson

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

Our environment is changing at a rate never seen before, rendering organisms 'maladapted' if they cannot evolve

quickly enough - that is, there will be a mismatch between their genes and the environment in which they evolved.

Humans are the most extreme example; maladaptation in modern society elevates risk of cancer, heart disease

and psychological disorders (e.g., anxiety probably evolved to help escape predators). I bring together two

research areas that aim to explain what causes maladaptation - reproductive medicine and evolutionary biology.

Results from this research will help us better understand genetic disease, future health hazards, and predict risk

factors of extinction.

DP0987503 Dr JM Razal

Approved Wet-Spinning Novel Multi-Functional Bio-Synthetic Platforms

Project Title

2009 : $ 78,591

2010 : $ 78,591

2011 : $ 78,591

Primary RFCD 2918 INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING

APD Dr JM Razal

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

The project will deliver new advanced materials for novel biomedical devices such as nanostructured electrodes

and tunable drug delivery systems. It will develop a very versatile and low-cost technology that is well-suited for

overcoming some of the current limitations in exploiting nanomaterials in nanoscience and biomedical industries.

The research will benefit existing biomedical industries in Australia and provide opportunities for new start-up

companies, as well as potentially attracting biomedical industries from overseas to establish a presence in

Australia.

DP0984339 Dr AD Sims

Approved Co-universal operator algebras

Project Title

2009 : $ 59,000

2010 : $ 59,000

2011 : $ 68,000

Primary RFCD 2301 MATHEMATICS

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

Australian researchers have established themselves at the very forefront of research into operator algebras

associated to graphs. The proposed research will make an important impact, at a fundamental level, on the way

that researchers around the world view these operator algebras. This will help to further strengthen Australia's

reputation in this field. The proposed program will also train two PhD students in a very active area of mathematics

and put them in contact with a vibrant research community. This will help contribute to the strong future of pure

mathematics in Australia.

DP0987164 Dr K Szabo

Approved The cutting edge: Investigating the use of shell as a raw material by Australasian

Project Title hominins

2009 : $ 132,701

2010 : $ 127,000

2011 : $ 163,119

2012 : $ 117,220

2013 : $ 120,769

Primary RFCD 4302 ARCHAEOLOGY AND PREHISTORY

QEII Dr K Szabo

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

Australasia has tended to exist on the periphery of major debates surrounding human evolution. There is little

justification why this should be the case, and Australasia has much to contribute with insights into adaptations to

island and tropical environments, and the use of novel raw materials for artefact production. Such enquiries not

only help us understand the place of early Australasians within a global framework, but assist us in understanding

the unique challenges and opportunities afforded by this region. The regional and European research linkages

developed and enhanced by this project ensure that such knowledge is not only 'owned' by Australasians, but is

incorporated into global thinking.

DP0986041 A/Prof G Waitt; A/Prof CR Gibson; Dr NJ Gill; Prof LM Head

Approved Making less space for carbon: cultural research for climate change mitigation and

Project Title adaptation

2009 : $ 69,984

2010 : $ 114,000

2011 : $ 120,000

2012 : $ 100,000

Primary RFCD 4203 CULTURAL STUDIES

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

The project meets the pressing need for a national response to climate change. The National Climate Change

Adaptation Framework identifies a number of cultural changes needed within the next five years to adapt to

existing climate change. Profound cultural transformations are also urgently needed to mitigate future change by

reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The true national benefit of this work should be assessed in terms of the

costs of not funding it. Australia's capacity to adapt will only ever be partial without the new and fundamental

insights provided by cultural geographic research.

DP0988700 Prof MJ Walker; Dr JA Aquilina

Approved Mapping cell wall and surface structures of Gram-positive cocci

Project Title

2009 : $ 90,000

2010 : $ 40,000

2011 : $ 40,000

Primary RFCD 2703 MICROBIOLOGY

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

The synthesis of the Gram-positive cell wall and protein transport are fundamental processes, the improved

understanding of which will impact across a range of fields including microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology,

and the application and manipulation of Gram-positive bacteria in agriculture, industry and human health. In the

long-term, the analysis of the Gram-positive ExPortal and cell wall will identify proteins that may represent targets

for therapeutic intervention. Additionally a precise understanding of the mechanisms of secretion of anchorless

proteins will have an important impact in the biotechnology field, as new methodologies for the secretion of

recombinant proteins of industrial value is a potential outcome.

DP0987344 Prof GG Wallace; Dr SE Moulton; Prof MJ Cook

Approved Novel Drug Delivery Systems

Project Title

2009 : $ 280,000

2010 : $ 180,000

2011 : $ 180,000

2012 : $ 300,000

2013 : $ 280,000

Primary RFCD 2915 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

QEII Dr SE Moulton

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

The polymer based structures targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of drug

delivery. A multi-drug delivery platform is expected to bring significant improvements in administering therapeutic

drugs for a wide range of illnesses and applications. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those

suffering from epilepsy or requiring stent implants. Here we will demonstrate the capabilities of these novel polymer

structures both in-vitro and in-vivo.

DP0987805 Dr JZ Wang

Approved Development of inorganic-conducting polymer composites and ionic liquid-based

Project Title electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries

2009 : $ 110,000

2010 : $ 110,000

2011 : $ 110,000

Primary RFCD 2914 MATERIALS ENGINEERING

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

The project will lead to development of safe lithium batteries for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles to

contribute to the national priority goal of reducing and capturing emissions in transport to improve our environment.

Small, flexible batteries for new implantable medical devices will also be developed to treat millions of people

suffering from different diseases. The development of new scientific knowledge related to this project will place

Australia at the forefront of an emerging domain of research. The project will take the incentive in establishing a

leading national position in development of new energy storage technology.

DP0987190 A/Prof X Wang; Dr Z Cheng; Mr D Chen; Prof T Kimura; Dr F Klose

Approved Frustrated magnets: a new platform for multiferroic materials

Project Title

2009 : $ 160,000

2010 : $ 115,000

2011 : $ 115,000

Primary RFCD 2914 MATERIALS ENGINEERING

APD Mr D Chen

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

Ferroelectric materials with simultaneous ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism are one of the most important new

emerging fields in the materials science and condensed matter physics communities. Novel magneto-electronic

devices based on new multiferroic materials will open up a huge market for these devices, which are expected to

have a huge impact on modern science and daily life. The purpose of this project is to make Australia one of the

leading countries in this field and to work with colleagues inside Australia and around the world to move this field

forward for mutual benefit.

DP0984341 Prof MR Wilson; Prof CM Dobson; Dr JR Kumita; Mr JJ Yerbury

Approved Establishing the role of alpha-2-macroglobulin in quality control of extracellular protein

Project Title folding

2009 : $ 125,000

2010 : $ 80,000

2011 : $ 80,000

Primary RFCD 2701 BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

APD Mr JJ Yerbury

Administering Organisation University of Wollongong

Project Summary

The expected outcomes will provide important advances in understanding the role of alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M)

in maintaining the normal structure/function of extracellular proteins. This information may ultimately aid in the

design of agents to be used to clear the body of pathological protein aggregates - potentially providing a direct

economic benefit to Australia. The high novelty and broad significance of this work indicate that it will produce

high-impact publications which will tangibly assist Australia being recognized as a major contributor to world

research outcomes. This project will also provide a direct social benefit by training research students with the skills

necessary to further the development of biological research in Australia.