Bio-inspired Computing for Problems with Chance Constraints. Bio-inspired algorithms have successfully been applied to a wide range of optimisation problems. Uncertainties in real-world applications can lead to critical failures of production schedules or safe critical systems. Chance constraints model such uncertainties and allow to limit the possibility of such failures. This future fellowship builds up the area of bio-inspired computing for problems with chance constraints. It develops high ....Bio-inspired Computing for Problems with Chance Constraints. Bio-inspired algorithms have successfully been applied to a wide range of optimisation problems. Uncertainties in real-world applications can lead to critical failures of production schedules or safe critical systems. Chance constraints model such uncertainties and allow to limit the possibility of such failures. This future fellowship builds up the area of bio-inspired computing for problems with chance constraints. It develops high performing bio-inspired algorithms for stochastic problems where the constraints can only be violated with a small probability. The outcomes will lead to more effective and reliable optimisation methods for complex planning processes in areas of national priority such as mining and manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Memetic algorithms for multiobjective optimisation problems in bioinformatics. Many questions of paramount importance in life sciences can be formulated as optimisation problems but using just a single criterion can be misleading. This project will address this problem using multiobjective optimisation and leveraging Australia's investment in supercomputing with algorithms that mimic evolutionary processes in silico.
Next generation photonic waveguide sensors enabled by machine learning. This project aims to establish the next frontier in photonic waveguide sensing, by using machine learning to shift the complexity out of conventional photonic-waveguide/optical-fibre sensors and into smart detection algorithms. The complexity and instability of multimode photonic waveguides, traditionally a hinderance to sensing, will be advantageously employed to train deep learning models for sensing. Expected outcomes inc ....Next generation photonic waveguide sensors enabled by machine learning. This project aims to establish the next frontier in photonic waveguide sensing, by using machine learning to shift the complexity out of conventional photonic-waveguide/optical-fibre sensors and into smart detection algorithms. The complexity and instability of multimode photonic waveguides, traditionally a hinderance to sensing, will be advantageously employed to train deep learning models for sensing. Expected outcomes include the creation of intelligent photonic sensors that can, in principle, measure any environmental parameter using any optical waveguide material. It will create new critically needed measurement capabilities for challenging harsh environments, such as extreme temperature and in-vivo biochemical sensing.Read moreRead less
Development of methods and algorithms to support multidisciplinary optimisation. This project will aim to develop a number of novel and computationally efficient schemes to deal with the key challenges facing multidisciplinary optimisation. These advancements will allow us to solve a number of challenging and intractable problems in science and engineering.
Cyber-Physical Security Analyses and Enhancing the Resilience of Smart Grid. The electrical power industry in Australia is undergoing a massive revolution to an intelligent, low-carbon and sustainable smart grid environment. However, due to the heavy reliance on cyber infrastructure and the intermittence of renewables, smart grid will inevitably introduce new security issues, for example, cyber security. This project is to investigate emerging security issues together in a comprehensive framewor ....Cyber-Physical Security Analyses and Enhancing the Resilience of Smart Grid. The electrical power industry in Australia is undergoing a massive revolution to an intelligent, low-carbon and sustainable smart grid environment. However, due to the heavy reliance on cyber infrastructure and the intermittence of renewables, smart grid will inevitably introduce new security issues, for example, cyber security. This project is to investigate emerging security issues together in a comprehensive framework where quantitative models and analysis methods will be explored for smart grid cascading failure analyses. Then innovative three-stage reinforcement strategies (three lines of defence) will be developed to enhance the resilience of smart grid against natural disasters and intentional attacks, and potential large blackouts. Read moreRead less
The evolutionary genetics of adaptation in species with separate sexes. This project aims to provide new theory and analysis methods for studying the genetic basis of female and male fitness. The project expects to provide new insights into the evolutionary, genetic and demographic mechanisms that influence evolutionary genetic diversity within populations. The project will reveal how sex differences in selection affect adaptation, and provide a framework for predicting whether populations with ....The evolutionary genetics of adaptation in species with separate sexes. This project aims to provide new theory and analysis methods for studying the genetic basis of female and male fitness. The project expects to provide new insights into the evolutionary, genetic and demographic mechanisms that influence evolutionary genetic diversity within populations. The project will reveal how sex differences in selection affect adaptation, and provide a framework for predicting whether populations with separate sexes are able to persist under changing environmental conditions. By developing a rigorous theoretical foundation for sex-specific adaptation – including genome inference methods that follow logically from the theory – the proposal will define new approaches for studying evolutionary processes in natural populations.Read moreRead less
Animals response to extreme climatic events. Climate change is causing extreme climatic events, such as floods and heat waves, to become more frequent. This project will investigate by which mechanism animals can adjust to extreme climatic events and whether the response is fast enough to avoid extinction, thereby providing urgently needed insights into the natural resilience of Australian fauna.
Tracking the molecular dynamics of adaptation with horizontal gene transfer. This project aims to track the dynamics of adaptation with gene exchange by building the first experimental evolution model that can directly observe this process. The acquisition of genes from other strains and species (horizontal gene transfer) frequently underlies bacterial adaptation, but it is unknown how this occurs. This project aims to shift understanding of how microbial populations respond to environmental cha ....Tracking the molecular dynamics of adaptation with horizontal gene transfer. This project aims to track the dynamics of adaptation with gene exchange by building the first experimental evolution model that can directly observe this process. The acquisition of genes from other strains and species (horizontal gene transfer) frequently underlies bacterial adaptation, but it is unknown how this occurs. This project aims to shift understanding of how microbial populations respond to environmental challenges. There are significant benefits to be gained from understanding how microbes adapt in response to climate change and the widespread application of antibiotics, given that microbial populations form intimate associations with humans and sustain all of the world’s ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Quantifying the impact of phenotypic plasticity on population persistence. This project aims to understand how environmental sensitivity in growth, survival and reproduction of individuals in a population influence population dynamics using terrestrial ectotherms. It will provide significant new insights into whether phenotypic plasticity promotes population persistence in the face of environmental change. Expected outcomes include approaches for incorporating environmental effects in population ....Quantifying the impact of phenotypic plasticity on population persistence. This project aims to understand how environmental sensitivity in growth, survival and reproduction of individuals in a population influence population dynamics using terrestrial ectotherms. It will provide significant new insights into whether phenotypic plasticity promotes population persistence in the face of environmental change. Expected outcomes include approaches for incorporating environmental effects in population models for threatened species, open databases that can be used to estimate demographic information for species lacking data, and an assessment of what characteristics make some species more sensitive to the environment than others. Benefits include quantitative training and tools for managing Australia's rich biodiversity.Read moreRead less
How does developmental plasticity shape adaptation to environmental change? This project aims to address how animals adapt to environmental change by examining a process largely ignored in current studies: how the environment alters animal development. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of the genetics of adaptation using an innovative approach to determine how genetic variation, environmental conditions, and development interact to shape adaptation to changing environmen ....How does developmental plasticity shape adaptation to environmental change? This project aims to address how animals adapt to environmental change by examining a process largely ignored in current studies: how the environment alters animal development. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of the genetics of adaptation using an innovative approach to determine how genetic variation, environmental conditions, and development interact to shape adaptation to changing environments. Expected outcomes of this project include enhancing predictions of how species respond to climate change and building capacity for international collaborations. The intended impact of this project is to increase our understanding of how animals respond to environmental change by determining how multiple environmental cues act together to alter development, and how the genetic makeup of the individual affects these responses.Read moreRead less