QUT offers a diverse range of student topics for Honours, Masters and PhD study. Search to find a topic that interests you or propose your own research topic to a prospective QUT supervisor. You may also ask a prospective supervisor to help you identify or refine a research topic.

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Found 13 matching student topics

Displaying 1–12 of 13 results

Capacity, wills and enduring powers of attorney

Dr Kelly Purser is interested in talking to students who wish to undertake research on the topics of capacity, wills, enduring powers of attorney, advance health directives, estate planning, equity and trusts, succession, or therapeutic jurisprudence.

Study level
PhD, Master of Philosophy
School
null
Research centre(s)
null
null

Investigating genetic variants involved in Wilson disease and copper metabolism using genome editing

Wilson disease (WD) is a genetic disorder of copper metabolism. It can present with hepatic and neurological symptoms, due to copper accumulation in the liver and brain (1). WD is caused by compound heterozygosity or homozygosity for mutations in the copper transporting P-type ATPase gene ATP7B. Over 700 ATP7B genetic variants have been associated with WD. Estimates for WD population prevalence vary with 1 in 30,000 generally quoted. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for successful management of the disease. …

Study level
Master of Philosophy, Honours
Faculty
Faculty of Health
School
School of Biomedical Sciences
Research centre(s)
Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health

Place-based giving and philanthropy

Effective models of place-based funding remain conceptually unresolved.  Place-based, collective impact initiatives are increasingly recognised for creating long-term systems change, yet the role of philanthropy in supporting, advocating for and catalysing change is underexplored.I am interested in supervising research into conceptual models of philanthropic funding for place-based initiatives, to explain and clarify the elements and characteristics of successful, long-term relationships between philanthropic funders and place-based, community-led initiatives in regional and urban Australian communities.

Study level
PhD, Master of Philosophy
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
School
School of Accountancy
Research centre(s)

Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies

Reversing Epithelial Mesenchymal Plasticity with Eribulin to Enhance Therapy Response

Epithelial mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) is a highly regulated and powerful cellular process that is fundamental in embryonic development (1), which is hijacked by cancer cells for metastatic progression and therapy resistance in epithelial cancers (2). Eribulin is a microtubule-inhibiting cancer drug discovered in sea sponges and approved for 3rd line therapy in metastatic breast cancer, which was shown to reverse epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) (3).We hypothesise that eribulin’s reversal of EMT will sensitise breast cancer cells to other therapies and …

Study level
Master of Philosophy
Faculty
Faculty of Health
School
School of Biomedical Sciences

Optimal conservation management in uncertain Antarctic environments

Species and ecosystems in Antarctica are threatened. Optimal biodiversity conservation is an interdisciplinary field combining mathematical modelling and optimisation with ecology and conservation. We can use mathematics to understand the system, model how management actions might impact it, and then optimise which actions should be used. For example, we can explore where protected areas should be placed, how species should be managed, or how tourist impacts should be reduced. However, the complexities of conservation in Antarctica necessitate the application of …

Study level
PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
Faculty
Faculty of Science
School
School of Mathematical Sciences
Research centre(s)
Centre for Data Science
Centre for the Environment

Ecological interactions in Antarctic ecosystems

Antarctic and sub-Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems are dominated by mosses, lichens, invertebrates and some vascular plants. Marine vertebrates (penguins, seals, seabirds) also play an important role in driving terrestrial processes. All these species are influenced by many environmental and biotic factors, including interactions between species. Determining the impacts of climatic and environmental change on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic biodiversity requires greater understanding of these interactions.Ecological data on species interactions and the drivers of these interactions are an essential part of Antarctic and …

Study level
PhD
Faculty
Faculty of Science
School
School of Biology and Environmental Science
Research centre(s)
Centre for Data Science
Centre for the Environment

Accountability, governance and/or management of philanthropic foundations

Philanthropy is a concept with many definitions, but at its core it is about private assets being given for public use and benefit. Philanthropic foundations are structures or organisations for giving. Legally speaking, foundations are trust funds, established by a deed specifying the trustee and beneficiaries (however broadly defined). The term foundation is commonly used to refer to an organisation that exists for public benefit purposes, is registered as a charity, and has its own funds often in the form …

Study level
PhD, Master of Philosophy
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
School
School of Accountancy

Creating inclusive organisations

Organisations are increasingly striving to develop inclusive workplaces and practices that will lead to sustainable employment and career opportunities for people with disability. Yet low employment rate and limited opportunities for career progression persist for people with disability in Australia. Research themes that seek to address this inequity include intersectionality, to consider the difference gender and other identities and diverse backgrounds make. Ableism, the assumption of non-disability as an organising norm, and how this impacts the design and implementation of …

Study level
PhD, Master of Philosophy
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
School
School of Management

Eribulin effects on epithelial mesenchymal plasticity and therapy response

Epithelial mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) is a highly regulated and powerful cellular process that is fundamental in embryonic development (1), which is hijacked by cancer cells for metastatic progression and therapy resistance in epithelial cancers (2). Eribulin is a microtubule-inhibiting cancer drug discovered in sea sponges and approved for 3rd line therapy in metastatic breast cancer, which was shown to block EMP (3).We hypothesise that eribulin’s reversal of EMT will sensitise breast cancer cells to other therapies and ultimately improve patient …

Study level
Master of Philosophy, Honours
Faculty
Faculty of Health
School
School of Biomedical Sciences

Philanthropy and accountability in Australia

Philanthropy (defined here as structured giving through organisations such as foundations) is growing strongly and expected to benefit significantly from the intergenerational transfer of wealth in the coming decades. The accountability of philanthropy is a vital discussion, as criticism grows internationally of the lack of transparency, particularly for wealthy philanthropists who use their retained influence over donated and taxpayer-subsided funds to pursue their individual interests and influence public policy. There are current calls for a national blueprint or strategy for …

Study level
Master of Philosophy
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
School
School of Accountancy
Research centre(s)

Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies

Immersive audio data visualisation for better engagement of residential communities exposed to aircraft noise pollution

This PhD project addresses the significant issue of misleading noise data in the context of residential communities exposed to aircraft noise pollution. Despite efforts by authorities to provide noise exposure forecasts and information based on the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) approach, many communities feel misled by the noise contours presented to them. Experiences from previous major development projects at Australian airports have shown a range of problems with relying solely on the ANEF as a noise information tool as …

Study level
PhD, Master of Philosophy
Faculty
Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice
School
School of Design
Research centre(s)

Design Lab

Promoting incidental physical activity and social interactions in public space

The World Health Organisation recently raised the alarm on the critical importance of physical activity and social interactions for mental and physical health, highlighting the need for active environments that support people to engage in healthy activities. In order to address the high-rates of physical inactivity and social isolation, we need additional research evidence to design high-quality public spaces that promote health and wellbeing for all ages. This study lies at the intersection of built environment, human behaviour, and health …

Study level
PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
School
School of Architecture and Built Environment

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