Current and previous recipients

Red Blood Cell Manufacturing Employing Three-dimensional Hydrogel Microenvironments

This project aims to create a cost-effective method for manufacturing lab-grown red blood cells (RBCs) by mimicking the bone marrow environment using biomaterials like fibrin and spider silk hydrogels. It seeks to reduce reliance on expensive growth factors, addressing global blood supply shortages, particularly for neonates and patients with rare blood types.

SmartShape Green: Bio-Based Shape Memory Polymers for Next-Gen Clean Technologies

This initiative focuses on developing bio-based shape memory polymers (BioSMPs) made from partially renewable epoxy resins. These polymers are designed to have tunable thermal responsiveness, excellent shape recovery, and long-term durability, enabling sustainable, low-emission manufacturing for applications in renewable energy, aerospace, green buildings, and sustainable construction.

Osteogenic differentiation of 3D-printed multi-layered ceramic scaffolds under dynamic compressive load

This research focuses on healing large bone defects by developing advanced 3D-printed multilayered ceramic scaffolds that mimic natural bone properties. The project combines these scaffolds with a patented bioreactor device to apply dynamic compressive loads, enhancing tissue maturation and regeneration capacity for bone tissue engineering.

Developing biomimetic polyelectrolytes as new antimicrobials to treat bacterial and viral infections

This project aims to synthesise bioinspired polyelectrolytes that mimic natural molecules like proteins and RNA. By studying their interactions with microbial membranes, the research seeks to optimise their therapeutic potential as novel antimicrobials, addressing antibiotic resistance and advancing clinical applications.

SHAPE - Shared Healthy Aging Perceptions and Expectations

The SHAPE project investigates how cultural and generational perceptions of ageing influence behaviours and healthcare expectations. Using co-designed methods, it engages stakeholders and communities to develop strategies that promote healthy ageing and reduce the burden of ill health on individuals and healthcare systems.

Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction meets protein Language Models

This project integrates ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) and protein language models (pLMs) to design novel proteins with enhanced functionality and thermostability. The research aims to optimise enzyme performance in biofuel production pipelines, supporting sustainable manufacturing and the circular economy.

Interrogating the AI Turn in Search: Pilot studies Comparing AI-Summaries in German and Australian Search

This research examines the quality and societal impact of AI-generated information summaries (AIIS) provided by search engines. By comparing AIIS results in Australia and Germany across various topics, the project explores when AIIS aligns with user needs and its implications for information access.

Enhancing Digital Supported Stress Reduction through Haptic Feedback 

This project aims to improve adherence and therapeutic outcomes in digital stress-reduction programs by integrating haptic feedback, such as gentle vibrations or pressure, to enhance emotional engagement and effectiveness.

Multimodal Hate Speech Detection through Explainable AI with Collaborative Agents

This initiative seeks to improve the accuracy and transparency of multimodal hate speech detection by leveraging cooperative multi-agent systems (MAS) and explainable AI (XAI). The project includes benchmark experiments and user studies to enhance detection performance and evaluate user perceptions of XAI explanations.

DREAMS: Distribution of Renewable Energy with Adaptive Machine Learning Models

The DREAMS project develops an AI-driven prototype to assist Distributed System Operators (DSOs) in managing low-voltage electricity grids. By using advanced machine learning models and explainable AI, the tool provides forecasts and actionable insights for grid balancing, constraint prediction, and flexibility management amidst challenges like rooftop solar and electric vehicles.

Biofunctional spider silk and engineered living materials for sustainable waste stream treatment

This project aims to create biohybrid membranes using recombinant spider silk functionalised with catalytic proteins, engineered microbial cells, or peptides to remove contaminants like pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals from wastewater and off-gas. It also focuses on recovering valuable resources such as rare earth metals, supporting the shift from wastewater treatment to resource recovery in a circular bioeconomy. By integrating expertise from UQ, TUM, and the Bayreuth team, the project will deliver proof-of-concept membranes for pollutant degradation and metal binding. It supports UN SDG6 (Clean Water) and SDG12 (Responsible Consumption), with applications in water, mining, chemicals, and environmental biotech sectors.

Animal free 3D printed artificial synapses for studying human neurological disorders

This project pioneers the use of bioprinting to create 3D models of brain synapses using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), replacing animal models for studying childhood neurological disorders. The collaboration between the University of the Sunshine Coast, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, and industry partners aims to develop patient-specific models for personalised therapies. By mimicking the complexity of human brain connections, this research addresses a critical healthcare challenge, offering innovative tools to understand and treat neurological conditions affecting over 60 million children globally.

Personalised News: Balancing Editorial and Audience Values in AI Alignment

This project addresses the tension between public service media’s (PSM) mandate for impartial news and Generative AI’s potential for personalised content. By mapping audience preferences and journalistic values in Queensland and Bavaria, it develops socio-technical solutions for AI-driven news personalisation that uphold editorial integrity. The collaboration involves ABC, BR, and academic partners, creating open-source frameworks for persona-driven personalisation while mitigating risks like polarisation. Deliverables include a regionally focused dataset and a proof-of-concept assistive AI tool. This research supports responsible innovation in PSM, enhancing engagement while preserving public service values in local media industries across Australia and Germany.

Green Hydrogen Through DC Coupled PV Systems

This project innovates renewable energy systems by directly DC-coupling photovoltaic (PV) systems with batteries and hydrogen storage. By avoiding AC-coupling losses, it enhances efficiency, reduces grid stress, and supports decentralised hydrogen production. The collaboration between academic and industrial partners focuses on designing advanced DC/DC converters for flexible and efficient energy storage. Research includes system modelling, simulations, and hardware-in-the-loop testing to validate technical and economic feasibility. The project addresses challenges posed by growing PV capacity in Queensland and Bavaria, offering solutions for seasonal energy balancing, curtailment reduction, and grid stability, advancing the economic viability of renewable energy systems.