MONASH UNIVERSITY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Global Economic Uncertainty, Liquidity and Monetary Policy in Australia. This project aims to analyse the impact of global trade and financial uncertainty on the Australian economy and provide quantifiable policy prescriptions. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of monetary and macroeconomic policy using an innovative approach with search and matching frictions, to formalise how investors respond to higher uncertainty given their liquidity requirements. The intended outcomes of the project include offering a new theory with the potential to guide future research and novel quantitative application to Australian macroeconomic data. This should provide significant insights for institutions such as the Reserve Bank of Australia and benefits through the design of policy. Field of research: 1402 - Applied Economics Policymakers across the globe, including in Australia are worried about the role that high uncertainty plays in slowing down economic activity. An improved understanding of the mechanisms, effects and significance of increased global trade and financial uncertainty, especially for open economies like Australia, will contribute to more informed policy by institutions such as the Reserve Bank of Australia. The theoretical framework and its policy implications will be a key benefit of this project for the academic community as well as for policy makers. The other significant contribution of this project will be its quantitative application. By making our results and software open source, this project will allow for future scientific replicability and will also reduce the barriers to other researchers using or extending the framework.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Defining single-strand DNA break repair capacity in oocytes. This project aims to investigate fundamental biological mechanisms required for the production of high-quality oocytes, which fortify female fertility and the propagation of all sexually reproducing species. Exploiting unique mouse models, this study will define the importance of single strand DNA break repair capacity in oocytes for the first time, by outlining the role of single strand DNA repair proteins in maintaining genetic integrity of gametes throughout their lifespan. In doing so, the intended outcome of this project is to dramatically improve our understanding of quality control in the female germ line. This should provide significant benefits to Australia by positioning it as a world leader in the field of Reproductive Science. Field of research: 0608 - Zoology Sexually reproducing female mammals are born with their entire lifetime supply of oocytes (eggs). The immature oocytes stored in the ovary are very long-lived and the storage unit for genetic information that will be passed onto offspring. For this reason, oocyte DNA integrity must be preserved to ensure fertility and offspring health. Oocyte DNA damage can occur in response to normal, daily cell processes, or after exposure to chemicals, like air pollutants, or pesticides. This project will provide vital new insight into the fundamental mechanisms employed by oocytes to maintain their genetic integrity. The new information generated from these studies could contribute to emerging national and international challenges in fertility and reproduction, including the preservation of Australia's threatened native fauna and the successful breeding and productivity of domestic livestock.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Young women’s online experiences of learning about gender inequality. This project aims to investigate how young women engage with socially significant knowledge about gender inequality in social media groups and online discussion forums, and how they use this knowledge. This project expects to generate new knowledge by explaining how online environments shape knowledge acquisition for young people, using an innovative digital ethnographic approach. Expected outcomes include practical guidelines for assessing the positive and negative aspects of online culture as a pedagogical resource. This should provide significant benefits in helping young people to better navigate online cultures and to recognise, negotiate and, wherever possible, overcome gender-based inequality in their lives. Field of research: 2002 - Cultural Studies Online culture is central to how young people form their identities and learn about inequalities and divisions in society. This project will investigate the ways in which young women learn about gender inequality through online social media groups and discussion forums. Because information is easily accessible to digitally connected young people, it has changed how young people acquire knowledge outside of formal educational institutions. However, the information used online to analyse social division and inequality is often polarised, personalised, and difficult to verify. This presents challenges for young people and wider society in learning how to engage with the sources of information that shape their lives. The project will produce evidence on the benefits and challenges in using online knowledge to navigate experiences of gender inequality. The social benefits of the project include practical guidelines for assessing, analysing and using online political knowledge. These guidelines should be of use to young people, government, and community and industry stakeholders working with young people.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Defining the structural basis of lipid mediated T cell immunity. This project aims to undertake discovery research to investigate the molecular mechanisms underpinning the role of lipids in T cell immunity: an emerging area of immense biological significance. The anticipated goal is to generate new knowledge in the areas of the life sciences, by using a multidisciplinary approach that includes structural biology, mass spectrometry, biophysics, and cellular immunology, to gain fundamental insight into molecular determinants that govern lipid mediated immunity. Expected outcomes and benefits of this project include building international and interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance national research capacity, and provide marked advancement of core knowledge in the biological sciences. Field of research: 1107 - Immunology The importance of lipids in T cell immunity has only recently become apparent. The intended benefit of this research is in the generation of fundamental knowledge in the new field of lipid-mediated T-cell biology, laying the foundation for future growth. The project will generate novel insights into critical functions of this new area of immune function and pioneer avenues for future biomedical research and targeted responses to immune dysfunction. The project will provide a foundation for future biotechnological and therapeutic interventions through the creation of valuable intellectual property and will establish a multitude of biochemical, immunological, and structural technology platforms to probe questions in this new field to generate health and economic benefits for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Realising the potential of hyperbolic programming. This project aims to develop and analyse new mathematical and algorithmic methods for polynomial optimisation and decision problems. In doing so it expects to generate knowledge and tools in mathematical optimisation that build on recent developments in the theory of hyperbolic polynomials. Expected outcomes include more scalable and/or reliable methods for polynomial optimisation and safety verification of dynamical systems, and theory explaining the power and limitations of these methods when compared with existing approaches. Possible benefits include safer and more reliable complex engineered systems, such as the power grid or interacting autonomous vehicles, verified by methods built on those developed in the project. Field of research: 0103 - Numerical and Computational Mathematics Optimisation involves finding the best possible solution (with respect to a goal) to problems such as planning, resource allocation, or engineering system design, while respecting limitations imposed by constraints. Goals of interest could include minimising energy consumption or maximising quality of service. Constraints of interest could include ensuring the feasibility, reliability, or safety of an engineering design. The proposed research aims to develop optimisation techniques, based on new ideas in mathematics, that could make it possible to solve optimisation problems that are out of reach for current methods. For example, in the design of engineering systems that move autonomously, like robots interacting with humans or autonomous vehicles, these new techniques could improve the way constraints ensuring safe operation are imposed. This research could give Australia's high-tech industry a significant competitive advantage though access to the latest and most powerful optimisation methods, while maintaining its reputation for reliability and safety.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Fluorescent probes for super-resolution imaging of the amyloid architecture. The goal of this project is to develop chemical tools that enable molecular-level imaging of the amyloid structure. The Nobel Prize-winning super-resolution microscopy provides nanoscale imaging capabilities, but surprisingly there have been no substantive efforts to design fluorescent sensors that are compatible with this cutting-edge technology. In this project, new fluorescent super-resolution sensors will be developed that enable nanoscale visualisation of amyloid assemblies. These chemical and biochemical studies will establish rational design strategies to develop fluorescent sensors for super-resolution imaging applications and significantly advance our understanding of fundamental differences functional and toxic protein assemblies. Field of research: 0302 - Inorganic Chemistry Super-resolution imaging is the exciting new technology that provides a molecular-level picture of cellular events, but the scope and application of this technology has been hampered by scarcity and poor quality of fluorescent tools compatible with it. This project will develop innovative fluorescent sensors for super-resolution imaging that will enable imaging functional and toxic protein assemblies with unparalleled resolution and expand our understanding of their role in health and disease. These sensors will also form the basis of precision medicine approaches where the nano-scale information of protein assembly is used to inform therapeutic regimens. The design rationale of these sensors will inspire the development of super-resolution imaging tools for the nano-scale visualisation of a myriad of biological events. Chemical sensors are routinely purchased by bioscience laboratories, reflecting the high commercial impact of this project which will provide benefits to the Australian economy and contribute powerful technological impacts across Australia's biomedical and agricultural industries.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Challenging the Standard Model with the LHCb experiment. This project aims to reveal the existence of elementary particles never observed before or of new forces of nature by studying data collected by the LHCb experiment. LHCb is situated at the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. The studies are expected to generate new knowledge in the field of particle physics and could resolve long-standing puzzles such as the composition of the Universe. The project aims at optimally exploiting LHCb data by using an innovative measurement approach based on advanced computational and machine learning techniques. It should enhance the capacity in particle physics and should create new collaborations with Europe, benefiting the diversity of the Australian physics programme. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics This project will develop and apply leading computational and machine learning techniques to the extremely large datasets coming from the Large Hadron Collider, in the search for new fundamental particles. The machine learning techniques developed will be broadly applicable in other fields and in Australian industries which analyse large data sets. The project will further unlock new software development and programming capability with graphics processing units to enable the more widespread use of advanced multivariate analysis in Australian industry. The results are expected to dramatically increase the likelihood of physicists directly observing new particles, termed ‘’new physics”, which can underpin future economic potential through the development of new technologies that exploit them. Through this research, Australia will be in an important position to benefit from these new discoveries. The project will also raise the level of public literacy in particle physics through an outreach program for high school students.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

From creeping to sliding: controls on Antarctic Ice Sheet flow processes. This project aims to provide new insight into how ice flow processes influence Antarctic ice loss - a serious unsolved problem in predicting how much Antarctica will contribute to sea level rise. Using a state-of-the-art ice sheet model and real-world glaciological observations, this project expects to generate new knowledge of the mechanisms, and environmental and climatic conditions that control ice flow. Expected outcomes of this project are improved estimates of Antarctica’s contribution to future sea level rise. This project should provide substantial benefits in Australia and internationally, particularly in regions vulnerable to rising sea levels, by producing a sound evidence base for policy and mitigation strategies. Field of research: 0406 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience Sea level rise will have widespread and costly impacts on Australian society, industry, and environment. For example, if sea levels rise by 1.1 m, over $226 billion of Australian infrastructure will be exposed to coastal flooding and erosion. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Special Report on the Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate 2019 predicts 0.61-1.1 m of sea level rise by 2100. The large range in this estimate is due to unknowns in how Antarctic ice flows into the oceans. The outcomes of this research will be more accurate estimates of Antarctica’s contribution to sea level rise by 2100 through new knowledge of the processes that control ice flow and ice sheet collapse. The research addresses priorities in the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan 2011-12 to 2020-21, and the Australian Research Council’s Science and Research Priority 8: Environmental Change. This research will benefit Australian federal, state, and local policy-makers who are developing cost-effective and reliable climate-change planning, mitigation, and adaptation strategies on sea level rise.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Maximising impacts of aid for health by incorporating local priorities. This project aims to increase effectiveness of Australia’s health aid program in the Asia-Pacific region by employing advanced health economics methods and working with stellar international collaborators. Australia has committed to better align health aid with recipient priorities, however, there is a need for evidence on how best to achieve this. This project expects to generate new knowledge about the benefits from increased alignment. Expected outcomes include increased regional research capacity and strategies for stakeholders to increase alignment for greater impact. This should benefit Australia’s health aid program, so that it meets the expectations of the Australian public and improves the health and wellbeing of aid beneficiaries. Field of research: 1402 - Applied Economics The Australian Government is currently reviewing its $4billion annual overseas development program and Australians are increasingly interested in understanding how Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) can maximise the impact of the Australian public's AU$264million annual donations. This project will provide urgently needed evidence for the Australian Government and NGO community to improve the impact of their international health aid programs. Specifically, it will provide evidence on (i) where health aid funding does not align with recipient priorities in the Asia Pacific region, (ii) the extent that increased alignment could impact on the effectiveness of health aid, and (iii) strategies to improve the alignment of donor and recipient health aid priorities. Increasing the impacts of Australia’s aid on health, wealth, wellbeing and climate resilience of recipients in the Asia Pacific Region also benefits the Australian population. For example, by reducing the health and economic costs of disease transmission into Australia and reducing the extent of migration in the region driven by changing climate.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Living well together - Muslim women, social cohesion, and Islamophobia . This project aims to identify and document the initiatives being used by Muslim women to counter Islamophobia and build social cohesion in the community. It also examines how these initiatives are received by the community. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the role of gender in creating social cohesion and countering Islamophobia through interviews with Muslim women who lead such initiatives. Expected outcomes of this research include improved theoretically-informed approaches for addressing Islamophobia. This should provide significant benefits including a better understanding of what works in addressing Islamophobia and building social cohesion, and clarity for guiding funding aimed at supporting such initiatives. Field of research: 2204 - Religion and Religious Studies Islamophobia remains a problem in Australia, and continues to undermine efforts to build social cohesion in the community. This project will examine how Australian Muslim women develop and lead community initiatives designed to reduce Islamophobia and improve social cohesion. The project also seeks to understand how these initiatives are received by both non-Muslims and Muslims. The Australian government has made social cohesion a funding priority, however it is important that this funding is directed at initiatives that are informed by evidence on their potential usefulness. This project will benefit Australia by providing new knowledge to build social cohesion and help reduce Islamophobia in our communities, and clarify the role of gender in this work. This could provide significant social benefits to communities seeking to improve social cohesion, and economic benefits through more effectively targeted funding for social cohesion initiatives that are supported by an evidence base.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Polycomb Group Proteins - Shaping Chromatin Architecture to Silence Genes . This project aims to address the fundamental question of how genes are switched off by studying a group of molecular off-switches, the polycomb group proteins. The project is expected to generate new knowledge in the area of gene regulation and epigenetics by combining innovative methods of structural biology and cell biology in an interdisciplinary way. The expected outcomes include a more complete picture of the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression and the development of novel methods to image the genome. This should provide significant benefits, such as facilitated development of gene editing tools and regulatory circuits for synthetic biology, as well as novel capabilities to image the genome at high resolution Field of research: 0604 - Genetics This proposal aims to generate a more complete picture of how genes are switched on and off during development of an organism, a process essential for all multicellular life. A class of molecular off-switches will be studied using cutting-edge structural biology methods only few labs in the world can master. Specifically, this proposal's benefits include: - Development of novel cryo-electron microscopy based techniques to image the structure of genes, an application unique in the world. This should attract international research talent and students, boosting the education sector, Victoria's largest service export industry and a priority sector. - A more complete understanding of fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation which allows generation of better gene editing tools. These can provide economic benefit to industry relying on gene editing, such as agribusiness, through cheaper, faster or more precise editing. - A mechanistic understanding of gene regulation should directly promote introduction of novel regulatory circuits in synthetic biology which can promote growth of this new biotech sector

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2021 · 2021-01

Characteristics and controls of ice sheet loss on centennial timescales. This project aims to unearth the characteristics and controls of Antarctic ice sheet loss on timescales of 100s to 1000s of years. The polar ice sheets are getting smaller at an accelerating rate in response to a warming climate, but modern observations are not yet sufficient to determine whether current ice sheet loss marks the start of irreversible retreat. Through a combination of novel geological approaches and numerical ice-flow modelling, this project expects to generate new knowledge on the rates and magnitudes of ice sheet loss, and the processes that will dictate the amount of ice loss in this century and beyond. This work should be beneficial for managing the societal, economic and environmental impacts of future sea-level rise. Field of research: 0406 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience This project is expected to expand current knowledge of how, where and why polar ice sheets lose mass, and whether current ice loss is temporary or irreversible. It will lead to more accurate and precise predictions of future sea-level rise in a warming climate, which will allow for more effective mitigation and adaptation. Managing the impacts of sea-level rise will be a societal, economic and environmental challenge for the coastal populations of Australia, which feature the country’s largest cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The consequences of sea-level rise include increased coastal flooding, coastal erosion and loss of beaches, with substantial effects for communities, infrastructure, industries and ecosystems. Reducing the uncertainty of future sea-level rise is crucial in order to know how much damage to expect and how much money to spend protecting the Australian coastline.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Elucidating the mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA escape. The human body is powered by mitochondria, microscopic components of living cells that make the energy they need to function. Mitochondrial damage is linked to a wide spectrum of human diseases, from devastating syndromic illnesses to neurodegeneration and autoimmunity. This project is focused on 1) how stresses such as cancer therapy or infection cause mitochondrial damage, and 2) understanding the biological processes that are triggered inside the cell as it tries to recover. It will give a much greater understanding of mitochondrial damage at the microscopic level, and has the potential to unlock new avenues of investigation into the causes of inflammatory and immune disorders. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Progress in the fight against disease varies wildly depending on the condition. For example, in blood cancers, extraordinary advances are being made. New drugs are being approved every year. In contrast, in neurodegenerative conditions like motor neuron disease, we have nothing. No treatments, not even an understanding of what the causes are. This project addresses a fundamental question in cell biology: how cells respond to damage, and how this influences their survival and subsequent function. The system we are studying is implicated in many diseases, potentially linking the innate immune system with conditions as diverse as Parkinson’s and arthritis. In addition to generating the first clear picture of this basic biological process, this project will further the development of Australia’s leading-edge nanoscopic imaging research technology, linking the national research community with the global revolution in this field.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Enabling Compatible and Secure Mobile Apps via Automated Program Repair. This project aims to ensure everyone in Australia and the world can reliably utilise compatible and secure mobile apps on their smart devices, by inventing a novel approach to automatically fix compatibility and security issues during app development and installation. The project expects to generate new knowledge, tools and methods to support efficient mobile app fix through mining the best practices from the mobile ecosystem. Expected outcomes include better support for app developers to build mobile apps that will maximise the potential of the mobile ecosystem for Australian businesses. This should provide significant benefits, such as enhanced productivity for the software industry and better mobile app experience and safety for users. Field of research: 0803 - Computer Software

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

An Intelligent Programmer’s Assistant Using Data Mining. This project aims to advance the important practice of pair programming in software engineering via software repository mining and create automated support tools. This project expects to use innovative techniques combining artificial intelligence, programming analysis and software analytics, to help software developers review code, fix bugs and implement new features. Expected outcomes of this project include an intelligent programmer’s assistant, consisting of a set of automated tools, covering software development, testing and maintenance. This should provide significant benefits to the Australian software development industry by improving developers’ productivity and reduce overall project costs. Field of research: 0803 - Computer Software

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Alcohol consumption practices in crisis. This project aims to investigate how meanings and practices of alcohol consumption in Australia are impacted by the global novel coronavirus pandemic.The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of the sociology of alcohol consumption, gender and social media by using assemblage theory and novel scroll-back qualitative interview methods. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced capacity in researching alcohol consumption practices in times of crisis, theoretical and methodological innovation and practical recommendations for responding to alcohol consumption in and beyond future crises. This should enhance policy and reduce the economic and social costs associated with alcohol use. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology By generating and sharing urgently needed insights about the socio-cultural impacts of the global novel coronavirus pandemic and providing practical recommendations, this project will contribute to the formulation of new and improved policy responses to alcohol consumption in Australia during and beyond crises. It will do this by sharing project findings, and refining recommendations, at a national workshop of policy makers, academics and professionals involved in formulating and implementing responses to alcohol use. In so doing, this project may contribute to reducing the potential social and health harms associated with alcohol use in the future. In turn, this may help to reduce the large cost of alcohol use in Australia. As countries like Australia face a growing number of environmental, health and financial crises, the knowledge gained from the project may also provide insights to inform responses to mitigating potentially adverse socio-cultural impacts of future crises.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

The cultural impacts of introduced animals in Australia. The presence of pastoral and feral animal populations has brought into sharp relief highly divergent views of settler and Indigenous Australians about the status of animals and their management. In response to recent calls for greater recognition of Indigenous ecological knowledge, this project will generate new knowledge about the cultural impacts of conflict over introduced animals. Three case studies will show how Indigenous and settler Australian thinking about animals emerged in the colonial period and continues to shape modern Australia. Significant benefits emerge from deepening our understanding of the cultural impacts of ecological harms, addressing conflicts as well as successful collaborations. Field of research: 1699 - Other Studies In Human Society Australia’s ecological future is dependent upon better cultural understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of living with Country and the animals in it. Disputes over animals and land use have characterised Australian society since colonisation, especially with the introduction of cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, foxes, camels and other animals. This project will identify how conflicts over animals have arisen in the past and how these are related to contemporary disputes. We will show how Indigenous and non-Indigenous thinking about animals continues to shape modern Australian culture. Our research will map out ways to reconcile disparate cultural views, with the aim of acknowledging the strengths of both knowledge systems. It will contribute to better ways of working together in the future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Enabling precise droplet control in hydrofluorocarbon free sprays. This project aims to investigate the use of blended propellants to replace hydrofluorocarbons in technical aerosols. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of multiphase fluid mechanics and aerosol science through a combination of modeling, optical and synchrotron X-ray measurement techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include a capacity to develop environmentally friendly technical aerosol formulations which can match and potentially outperform currently available hydrofluorocarbon based products. This should provide significant benefits to the pharmaceutical industry through the generation of new knowledge regarding the fundamental physics of multicomponent sprays. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering This project seeks to address a major challenge in the use of sprays, to which Australia is highly exposed. The global phase down of hydrofluoroalkanes will have a detrimental effect on the cost and availability of medical inhalers for Australians. This is significant, as one in 6 Australian children rely on such products to manage their asthma. At present, there are no viable replacements for hydrofluoroalkanes in these products. This project aims to address this problem through the development of new knowledge regarding the fundamental multiphase fluid mechanics of blended propellant combinations. The dissemination of new knowledge regarding the physics of multicomponent aerosols will also bring flow-on benefits to other Australian industry sectors such as the agriculture and manufacturing, both of which rely on precision sprays.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Financial Cycles and the Macroeconomy. The project aims to measure and understand the drivers of the financial cycle. As unsustainable financial conditions, such as excess credit, tend to precede financial cycle busts, which often eventuate into recessions, the project aims to also shed light on the interaction between the financial cycle and macroeconomy. These aims are expected to be achieved through the application of a new set of econometric tools to estimate and interpret financial cycles. The expected outcomes of this project include new insights for institutions such as the Reserve Bank of Australia and should provide significant benefit through the appropriate design of macroeconomic policy. Field of research: 1403 - Econometrics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Are the sexes really equal? Sex-specific adaptation to environmental change. This project aims to develop a framework for accurately predicting species responses to global change. Many environmental factors will change, and species will evolve, but in a sex-specific manner. Yet understanding of how the sexes vary in their ability to evolve and adapt to such complex environmental change is lacking. This project aims to integrate environmental data with the sex-specific evolutionary potential of organisms in response to multiple stressors in a spatially explicit context. The intended outcome is a powerful and general tool for predicting the impact of environmental change on the distribution and abundance of organisms. The benefits include improved conservation outcomes and better pest/disease vector control. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology Predicting species vulnerability to climate change is a major research priority for Australia. It requires understanding how the sexes vary in their ability to adapt to the environmental shifts projected under change. This understanding is largely absent, severely limiting our ability to make informed decisions in the key areas of climate change policy, particularly biodiversity conservation, disease and pest management and food security. The proposed research will address this knowledge gap, and in so doing provide quality training to young Australians, equipping them to play a central role in solving the problems key to Australia’s future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Glial Plasticity: How experience and aging change brain structure. 50 % of the cells in the brain are called glia. These cells work with neurons to regulate how we think, feel and behave. Most glial cells are added to the brain after birth, however we know very little about how this process works, or how it may be changed by lived-experience. The overarching aim of this study is to better understand how lived-experience impacts the growth of the major types of glial cells in the brain. To do this, I will use cutting-edge technologies and identify; 1) the rates of cell growth for the major types of glia, and 2) map how they are integrated into the brain. This will lead to important new information on how lived-experience can shape the growth and structure of the brain. Field of research: 1109 - Neurosciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Can exercise slow down the epigenetic ageing clock? The aged population accounts for a significant amount of Australia’s health budget. This project aims to uncover novel molecular biomarkers that slow the ageing process and maintain good health for longer. This project aims to use innovative epigenetic analysis to study the molecular ‘clocks’ of young and old populations and to test whether exercise can slow the ageing process. This is expected to lead to a better understanding of how humans respond to changing environments during their lifetime, and will underpin the development of evidence-based personalised health interventions to keep Australians healthier for longer. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics Approximately 15% of Australians are over 65, and this proportion is expected to rise to 22.5% by 2050. The expenditure for an average patient over 65 is 2-5 times higher than for an average patient under 65. “Ageing well” must be a national priority both from an economic and a population health perspective. Regular physical exercise is a low-cost, efficient way to delay the occurrence of age-related diseases that constitute an important health and economic burden on society. This project aims to uncover novel molecular biomarkers and biosensors that slow the ageing process. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the priority area of Health, with a focus on preventative strategies to improve physical wellbeing. This work will lead to a much better understanding of how humans respond to changing environments during their lifetime, and will underpin evidence-based personalised health interventions to keep Australians healthier for longer. The outcomes of this project will therefore have significant economic and social benefits to the Australian community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Context matters: from sensory processing to decision making. Contextual modulation refers to prominent changes in the processing of information in brain and perception caused by interactions across space and time. Over the past two decades, an enormous amount of work has shown that spatial contextual effects occur throughout the sensory processing hierarchy. However, there has been little work examining how temporal context effects affect information processing and operate for high-level attributes of stimuli as well as interactions of self and environment. The project aims to fill this gap to further understand the nature and mechanisms of temporal contextual modulation on sensory information processing, perception, perceptual judgement and decision making at cellular, circuit and cognitive levels. Field of research: 1109 - Neurosciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

A comprehensive framework for modelling the human connectome. The human brain is an extraordinarily complex network of interconnected cells. This project aims to use mathematical modelling and brain imaging to uncover key principles of network wiring in the human brain. Using an interdisciplinary approach that combines elements of neuroscience, genetics, physics, and psychology, the project will result in a new, rigorous framework for testing competing theories of brain development, the identification of key wiring principles for developing brains, and an understanding of how these principles shape behaviour. This work will shed new light on the developmental processes that underlie human behaviour and disease. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology The brain is arguably the most complex system known to man, but the mechanisms that give rise to this complexity remain unclear. We will develop a mathematical framework for testing different explanatory models of brain complexity, thereby identifying the wiring principles that govern brain organisation. This framework will have significant implications for understanding human psychology, health, and brain disorders. Over the longer term, the development of precise, mathematical models of wiring principles for brain networks can be used to inform the design of artificial intelligence algorithms and computer chip design.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2020 · 2020-01

Agile synthesizers for quantum computing, simulation and sensing. The project aims to develop breakthrough technology for generating the complex radio and microwave pulses that underpin the revolution in quantum computing and quantum sensing. Quantum technologies are rapidly emerging from laboratory to real-world applications including neural imaging, defence surveillance, and mining exploration, but further advances require increased precision and flexibility in controlling the quantum states at the heart of these new capabilities. Our innovative and more flexible approach to signal generation requires a fraction of the size, weight, power and cost of conventional approaches, enabling the translation of quantum technology to commercial practicality. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics This Project aims to develop and commercialise innovative electronic technology to advance current and future quantum sensing and computation. Enhanced quantum sensors will benefit medical microimaging, mineral exploration and magnetic anomaly detection for defence. Existing quantum technologies are limited by the capabilities of the classical hardware that controls the quantum systems, particularly in relation to size, weight, power requirements and cost. This project aims to provide devices specifically designed for quantum technology - devices that are compact and power-efficient, to enable translation of laboratory quantum prototypes to real-world applications. New hardware and software products will underpin further growth in employment in Australia’s emerging quantum industry, reinforcing its strong track record of export-dominated manufacture of high added value products.