Six early-career researchers from the University of Tasmania have been awarded a total of $2,866,305 in the Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards (DECRAs), funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC).
University of Tasmania Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Anthony Koutoulis said this is a significant achievement for the early career researchers and University.
"We are incredibly proud of our researchers who have received these DECRA fellowships. This funding will allow them to pursue innovative research projects that have the potential to address some of the most pressing global challenges we face today," Professor Koutoulis said.
"These awards are a testament to the high calibre of research being conducted at the University and highlight our commitment to supporting early-career researchers as they develop new knowledge that builds on the global body of knowledge in their fields and has a societal impact."
The University of Tasmania ARC DECRA recipients are:
Dr Jan Jansen has been awarded $488,691 for his project to map and study the biodiversity of the Antarctic seafloor.
His research aims to provide new insights into the distribution of life on the Antarctic seafloor by combining biodiversity mapping, seafloor images, and artificial intelligence (AI). The project will set up the world's first submersible-based monitoring system to provide a constant stream of seafloor images, which will be analysed using the help of AI to detect changes in biodiversity. This work will help guide conservation efforts and improve our understanding of how Antarctic ecosystems are responding to environmental changes.
"I feel incredibly grateful to all my colleagues and collaborators who developed this project with me and have supported me in the past. Receiving this DECRA is a great honour, and a lot of exciting science lies ahead," Dr Jansen said.
Dr Sheree Armistead has been awarded $487,886 for her project to study how sediment-hosted copper and other critical mineral deposits were formed over the past billion years.
This research will combine plate tectonic models, ore deposit data, and geochemical analysis to explore how Earth's tectonics and climate have affected mineral formation. The findings could help discover new critical minerals in Australia, supporting the country's move to sustainable energy.
"This is a huge privilege that will allow me to research how plate tectonics and climate change hundreds of millions of years ago influenced the formation of copper and critical metal resources. These metals are crucially needed for renewable energy technology to meet our climate targets. I am fortunate to have amazing collaborators at UTAS and around the world to work with on this exciting new research project."
Dr Chloe Lucas has been awarded $487,736 for her project to involve the public in climate change adaptation using new tools and methods.
Her research explores how games and interactive approaches can encourage public participation in discussions about climate adaptation policies. By encouraging more people to take part, this project aims to ensure a wide range of views help shape Australia's response to climate challenges.
"I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to empower more people to participate in political decision-making about how we live with climate change. I am really looking forward to working with a whole range of communities to develop fun and engaging ways of planning for the future," Dr Lucas said.
Dr Courtney Quinn has been awarded $471,554 for her research on rapid environmental changes and their effects on complex systems.
The project will look at how fast environmental changes can lead to sudden, major shifts ecosystems and climate patterns. By expanding current theories and applying them to real-world examples, such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation, this research could help us better predict and reduce the impacts of rapid environmental changes.
"This DECRA will help to foster my national and international collaborations and means I will have a role in building Tasmania's expertise in the critical interdisciplinary science of tipping points," Dr Quinn said.
Dr Lavenia Ratnarajah has been awarded $470,255 for her project studying the effects of ocean warming on carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean.
Her research will use laboratory experiments, field studies, and numerical models to better understand how marine zooplankton, which are key to carbon cycling, respond to changing ocean temperatures. The results will improve climate models and help predict future changes in marine carbon cycling.
"This award is an incredible honour and a personal milestone in my journey as a marine scientist and inspires me to continue pushing the boundaries of our understanding, particularly in how these processes influence our planet in the face of climate change," Dr Ratnarajah said.
