MONASH UNIVERSITY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Morphological development of the kidney – a paradigm for organogenesis. This project aims to shed new light on how the kidney develops, how normal adult function is established and how congenital kidney malformations occur. It aims to investigate a mathematical pattern that has been discovered in the program of branching morphogenesis which dictates kidney development. By combining cutting-edge genetic approaches, morphological analysis and mathematical modelling, this project plans to explore how this pattern is established, how it dictates kidney development and whether it constitutes an ancient mechanism central to organ formation. Project outcomes may improve understanding of fundamental developmental processes and developmental disease and variation. Project findings may also be important for understanding the development of other organ systems. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Quantum invariants and hyperbolic manifolds in three-dimensional topology. The project aims to broaden our understanding of three-dimensional (3-D) spaces, including spaces that arise in engineering, microbiology and physics. It is known that all 3-D spaces can be decomposed into geometric pieces. The most common type of geometry is hyperbolic. It is also known that such spaces have algebraic structures arising from quantum physics, known as quantum invariants. Several important conjectures, based on developments in physics, assert that hyperbolic geometry and quantum invariants are deeply related, but they remain unproved. The project aims to find new relationships between hyperbolic geometry and quantum invariants, advancing our understanding of both areas. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Consciousness in the predictive mind. The project aims to provide a unified approach to the nature of consciousness. Neuroscience and philosophy are still unable to explain how the brain gives rise to our conscious experience. Competing theories of consciousness are piecemeal, difficult to test and compare, and mostly formulated without much regard to a general theory of brain function. This project takes a different approach: it front-loads a new and influential general theory of brain function, and aims to use this theory to determine which theories of consciousness can be defended and which rejected. The anticipated outcome is a unified scientific and theoretical approach to consciousness, achieving a deeper and more integrated understanding of a major field of contemporary neuroscience and philosophy research. Field of research: 2203 - Philosophy

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The underexpanded impinging jet: a self-forcing flow of critical importance. The project aims to support the development and optimisation of a wide range of industrial processing techniques based on an in-depth understanding of receptivity mechanisms in the under-expanded impinging jet flow. Under-expanded impinging jets have broad applications ranging from aerospace propulsion to additive manufacturing to pharmaceutical drug delivery. By elucidating the underlying physics of this highly complex flow field, the project aims to facilitate active control methodologies in a range of key industrial flows. The expected outcomes of the research include improving the efficiency and efficacy of a number of industrial processes, as well as increased knowledge about the fundamental science. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Density modulations and superconductivity in two-dimensional quantum gases. The project aims to investigate the interplay between pairing (superfluidity) and pattern formation (eg stripes) in quasi-two-dimensional quantum systems. The close proximity of these phases is a recurring theme in layered materials which could hold the key to understanding phenomena such as high temperature superconductivity. The project plans to investigate these phases in dipolar gases, which provide a clean, controlled environment for novel many-body phenomena. Within this setting, it plans to test established theories of pairing and develop accurate descriptions of density modulations, thus providing fundamental insights into strongly correlated systems. The new states of matter discovered in the project could form the basis for new quantum devices; in particular, a deeper understanding of stripe phases may allow us to use them for data storage. Field of research: 0206 - Quantum Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Nanoscale field mapping in functional materials. This project aims to develop tools to map electric and magnetic fields within matter on smaller-length scales than has previously been possible. Such fields are used for encoding information in data storage microelectronic devices. Since the world now generates more data than it can store, the search is on for new technologies to improve storage capacity and energy efficiency by encoding information at the smallest possible length scales. It is anticipated that the new characterisation techniques resulting from this project will enable academic and industrial researchers working on the next generation of data storage technology to solve problems they could not otherwise solve. Field of research: 0204 - Condensed Matter Physics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Allosteric and Bitopic Ligands Acting at G Protein-Coupled Receptors. This project seeks to gain a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of the function of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using novel chemical tools. GPCRs are the largest group of cell surface signalling proteins and are responsible for the regulation of numerous vital physiological functions. They are the target of over 30 per cent of currently used pharmaceuticals. Despite their importance, much remains to be learned about the regulation of GPCRs by small molecules. This project aims to address this gap by focusing on novel regions on these proteins, termed allosteric sites, to explore novel modes of GPCR regulation which may offer the potential of identifying pathway selective agents. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

New Efficient Alkyne Cyclization Strategies for Complex Molecule Synthesis. The project aims to realise new selective and efficient alkyne cyclisation strategies to the carbocyclic and heterocyclic family of compounds, which have wide synthetic, biological and materials applications. This would be demonstrated by identifying new green and sustainable synthetic methods based on minimising and/or eliminating the consumption of various material and energy resources and chemical waste production. The newly developed catalytic methodologies would serve as new synthetic tools that would inform current thinking in organic chemistry and contribute new and efficient conceptual chemical processes to academic, chemical and pharmaceutical communities. Field of research: 0305 - Organic Chemistry

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

New generation microfluidic devices using light responsive hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new way of fabricating microfluidic devices using light-degradable hydrogels as its core element. This approach would allow researchers to rapidly construct and modify microfluidic devices within their own laboratories, without the need for specialised clean rooms or expensive equipment. The versatility of the microfluidic device is designed to be demonstrated by the manufacture of mature T cells, which continues to be a major challenge in stem cell science and which could have fundamental biological and commercial significance. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Improved rainfall measurement using mobile phone tower link attenuation. The project aims to use the microwave link data between mobile phone towers to complement the sparse rain gauge network in urban areas, to allow more accurate near-real-time monitoring of rainfall. Accurate near-real-time precipitation data at high resolution are critical to flash flood forecasting in and around Australia's capital cities. Current estimates suffer from the limited availability of rain gauge data in urban areas. However, mobile phone towers abound and the microwave links between them can provide information on rainfall intensity, meaning that these data could be used to supplement the rain gauge data. This project plans to develop the technology to generate precipitation maps using mobile phone network link, rain gauge and weather radar data. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

School non-attendance in students with intellectual disability. This project aims to develop a better understanding of school non-attendance among children and adolescents with intellectual disability. School non-attendance is a major societal problem – school outcomes are affected by high rates of school non-attendance – and a current national and international priority. In particular, school non-attendance in students with intellectual disability is a common but poorly understood problem. This project aims to understand the types and rates of school non-attendance problems in students with intellectual disability and the factors that influence non-attendance. Improved understanding of the pathways to non-attendance would facilitate the development of specific interventions to provide much-needed improvements in attendance in this disadvantaged group. Field of research: 1303 - Specialist Studies In Education

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Index coding for multimedia content distribution networks. The project aims to develop new bandwidth-efficient index coding schemes to reduce network congestion. A large portion of the increasing internet traffic is due to video content browsing and distribution. This creates serious strains on the current network infrastructure, which is designed to support conventional data. It is crucial to explore new avenues to reduce the network congestion due to large file downloads. The project aims to tackle this problem by exploring new index coding techniques that are robust to failures in wireless and wired network links. Using advanced mathematical tools from algebraic number theory and module theory, the project aims to design optimally bandwidth-efficient index coding schemes that enable timely and reliable content distribution to end users. Field of research: 0804 - Data Format

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

New approaches to the random generation of combinatorial objects. This project intends to create new methods to generate networks. Networks are useful theoretical combinatorial objects, which also occur in natural contexts such as social networks or the world wide web. Some studies require network simulations and often the best option for this is to generate the networks uniformly at random. Then each one of a given size occurs with the same probability. This project plans to introduce new approaches to performing this task, enabling it to be done efficiently for a much broader range of networks, graphs and other combinatorial objects than before. This would permit better simulations and efficient and truthful sampling, giving better prediction of network properties and better analysis of algorithms applied to networks. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

A multi-scale approach to investigate desiccation cracking in clayey soils. The project plans to develop a model of the mechanism of drying shrinkage and associated cracking in soils. Soil desiccation cracking can adversely affect the stability and performance of many vital geo-infrastructures. For example, desiccation cracks have contributed to dam and slope failures incurring significant damages. Our understanding of the mechanism of drying shrinkage cracking and ways to control or avoid such cracking in soils is not yet fully developed. This project aims to advance knowledge of the nature of crack initiation and propagation in clayey soils induced by moisture evaporation, through the use of advanced experimental and modelling techniques. Outcomes are expected to lead to new continuum models for reliable prediction of soil desiccation cracking. Field of research: 0905 - Civil Engineering

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Australia's Asian garrisons and regional engagement, 1945-1988. This project plans to examine Australia's overseas military communities, which saw over 100 000 Australian service personnel and their families reside in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong between 1945 and 1988. By undertaking a detailed analysis of these communities as major sites of cultural contact, the project seeks to integrate the experiences of service personnel, their families and host societies into the history of regional relationships. It is anticipated that the project will expand and reinterpret the history of Australia's engagement with Asia, and extend the international scholarship on military bases, by focusing on the role of overseas garrisons in bilateral and regional relations. Field of research: 2103 - Historical Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

A novel microtubule severing protein involved in male germ cell biology. The project aims to better understand the cellular and biochemical mechanisms underlying a key component of male fertility. Microtubules are a fundamental component of all cells. A mechanism that is increasingly recognised as essential for microtubules regulation is severing. It has been discovered that an uncharacterised microtubule severing protein, KATNAL2, has a key role in male germ cell development. This project aims to define the mechanisms underlying KATNAL2 function in the male germ line. It is expected that these data will generate a comprehensive picture of KATNAL2 function and provide foundation data of relevance across multiple species and tissues. In the longer term, it may also reveal a rational strategy for fertility enhancement or suppression. Field of research: 1114 - Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

New Statistical Techniques for Galactic Archaeology. This project aims to develop methods that will enable us to exploit new astronomical data. A revolution is under way in stellar astronomy, with new space satellites and Australian survey instruments about to reveal the composition of millions of stars. These data hold the promise of disentangling the origin of our galaxy through identification of star-forming groups that have long ago dispersed into our galaxy. We can also learn about the nuclear and stellar processes that were active in long-dead stars, and hence explain why the Universe is the way it is. This project aims to extend the powerful Minimum Message Length method, never before used in astronomy, to handle this data. This would put us in a unique position to extract new knowledge from the data that will arrive in the next one to five years. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Transforming Cultural Identity: Media flows between Australia and East Asia. By evaluating Australia's role in East Asian media circuits, this project aims to identify new industry and consumer trends. The rise of East Asian media industries, estimated to be worth US$120 billion and reaching at least 2 billion consumers, is changing Australian media culture. While East Asian media reach in to Australian audiences via new media, Australian media industries are reaching out to Asia via transnational co-productions. This project plans to examine these trends in media consumption and production to analyse impacts on the cultural identities of Australian audiences and media products. Through the innovative framework of minor transnationalism, it plans to produce a deeper understanding of the nation's relationship with its region. Field of research: 2002 - Cultural Studies

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Children as health advocates in families: assessing the consequences. This project intends to examine how health knowledge taken home by primary-aged children affects children’s wellbeing, family food practices and family relationships. Widespread public concern with obesity means children can be seen as advocates for change in family health practices. The project plans to investigate the consequences for children and families of primary school healthy eating programs, with particular attention to diverse family groups. It plans to use a multimethod qualitative approach including video diaries and interviews with children and parents within families. Results are expected to inform school health and education policy practices and provide resources for those working on health issues with primary-school-aged children and families, to facilitate child and family wellbeing. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The molecular blue-print for a mitochondrial nanomachine. The objective of the project is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the architecture of a biological nanomachine through broad-reaching investigation of the molecular contacts that enable the component parts to work together. The project plans to take the foundation knowledge of each of the component parts and build a conceptual framework of engineering principles to understand how the nanomachine is assembled, using a breakthrough technology to address the precise architecture of the component parts within the nanomachine. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Revitalising the Musical Arts of Indonesia's Lampung Province. This project seeks to explore how a stigmatised Indigenous population recovers its self-confidence and socio-economic status. This ethnographic project aims to document how and to what extent one Indigenous group in the post-Suharto era of regional autonomy in Indonesia is improving its status through affirmative political action based on its traditional musical arts, philosophy and Islamic beliefs. Using a novel ethnomusicological methodology, it plans to delineate the stylistic identity of their traditional, new and popular musical arts and youth culture, and theorise about the changing meanings of culture and Islam among this marginalised people. Field of research: 1904 - Performing Arts and Creative Writing

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

Improvisational interfaces: developing new human-computer creativity. This project intends to introduce new methods for the design and use of creative software for both learning and professional artistic practice. Using innovative interactive techniques based on improvisation, the project seeks to significantly boost human creativity through improvisational dialogues of increasing sophistication between artists and computers. The project is designed to help create the next generation of digital arts software systems that will assist creative professionals in developing their own unique creative styles and encourage young people to develop their creative potential. These advancements would promote higher productivity and greater creativity vital to Australia's future creative industries. Field of research: 1902 - Film, Television and Digital Media

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

A World Without Bees: simulating important agricultural insect pollinators. The project plans to develop a software model to assess the viability of crops under changes in pollinator populations, and recommend which floral traits should be breeding targets to ensure sustainable crops. Insects are essential to agriculture, but their populations are changing in poorly understood ways that are likely to affect human food supplies. This project plans to construct evolutionary agent-based models of change in crop-pollinating insects: honeybees, bumblebees, stingless bees and flies. It then plans to model how these population changes affect production, predicting floral traits to breed into crop plants for ongoing pollination success. Another expected outcome is a flexible plant–pollinator simulation of insect-specific visual perception, foraging behaviour, physiological factors and inter-species interactions. Field of research: 0801 - Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The pulse of the earth. The pulse of the earth. This project aims to establish the origin and evolution of the continental crust and its role in the long term development of the Earth system. The continental crust hosts the resources on which we depend and its evolution controls the environment in which we live. The crust’s record (including resources) is episodic in space and time, but the origin of this periodicity is unresolved. Building on recent advances on crustal development, the fellowship would work to resolve the origin of the episodic age pattern, which affects the distribution of mineral systems and their prospectivity. Field of research: 0403 - Geology

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2016 · 2016-01

The anatomy of a fatigue-related motor vehicle crash or near-crash. The anatomy of a fatigue-related motor vehicle crash or near-crash. This project aims to investigate the time course of multiple physiological and behavioural signals that lead to fall-asleep (on-road) driving events, to inform the next generation of driver state monitoring technologies. Falling asleep at the wheel remains a major cause of road crashes worldwide. Although technologies to monitor driver sleepiness are integral to the rapidly evolving autonomous vehicle industry, such technologies are limited because they measure the end-state of falling asleep, rather than the physiological and behavioural precursors, thus providing little opportunity for intervention. This project is expected to lead to new driver monitoring systems that reduce fall-asleep crashes. Field of research: 1701 - Psychology