Understanding snow gum dieback for effective and integrated management. The project leverages recent research and infrastructure investments and our determined and collaborative team as it aims to: 1) assess the future geography of snow gum dieback in the high country and identify priority locations for pro-active management, 2) quantify the impact of snow gums on high country water and carbon budgets and thus the socio- economic and biodiversity values, and 3) determine options for mitigation. ....Understanding snow gum dieback for effective and integrated management. The project leverages recent research and infrastructure investments and our determined and collaborative team as it aims to: 1) assess the future geography of snow gum dieback in the high country and identify priority locations for pro-active management, 2) quantify the impact of snow gums on high country water and carbon budgets and thus the socio- economic and biodiversity values, and 3) determine options for mitigation. Dieback of our iconic snow gum forests is diminishing the ecological, hydrological and cultural values of the Australian Alps and will impact state and national water-supply and power-generation systems. Our research will inform Alps-wide management efforts designed for long-term success.Read moreRead less
Extracting subtle hints for new phenomena at the Large Hadron Collider. This project aims to investigate the detailed nature of the Higgs theory which underpins the mass of elementary particles. The project aims to increase the understanding of particle interactions in the context of precise measurements of the properties of the Higgs boson that will come out of the experimental program at the large hadron collider. Expected outcomes include the development and application of methods to address ....Extracting subtle hints for new phenomena at the Large Hadron Collider. This project aims to investigate the detailed nature of the Higgs theory which underpins the mass of elementary particles. The project aims to increase the understanding of particle interactions in the context of precise measurements of the properties of the Higgs boson that will come out of the experimental program at the large hadron collider. Expected outcomes include the development and application of methods to address existing gaps in the framework that confronts theory and experiment and to efficiently explore its high dimensionality. The benefits of conducting this research in Australia include the development of intellectual culture and the training of early-career researchers as flexible problem solvers in academia or beyond. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100867
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,518.00
Summary
Bridging the accuracy gap: High-precision parton showers for colliders. This project aims at improving the accuracy of parton showers, which are an essential ingredient used in the simulation of high-energy particle collisions. Parton showers generate the large set of particles produced in a collision, in an approximation of the radiation pattern of Quantum Chromodynamics. The low precision of this approximation translates into large uncertainties in critical measurements performed at particle c ....Bridging the accuracy gap: High-precision parton showers for colliders. This project aims at improving the accuracy of parton showers, which are an essential ingredient used in the simulation of high-energy particle collisions. Parton showers generate the large set of particles produced in a collision, in an approximation of the radiation pattern of Quantum Chromodynamics. The low precision of this approximation translates into large uncertainties in critical measurements performed at particle colliders. This project will study novel ways of enhancing the precision of parton showers, and determine accurate estimates of associated uncertainties across all processes under investigation at the Large Hadron Collider. It will be of exceptional importance for the latter's high-precision, high-luminosity program.Read moreRead less
Beautiful strings. This project aims to carry out several key experimental measurements, in tandem with substantial theoretical work, to improve the understanding and physical modelling of processes involving b quarks, also called beauty quarks, which are of intense current interest for experiments across the globe. Key theoretical innovations include novel treatments of electromagnetic corrections, novel theoretical formulations of the dominant physical paradigm of string fragmentation, and opt ....Beautiful strings. This project aims to carry out several key experimental measurements, in tandem with substantial theoretical work, to improve the understanding and physical modelling of processes involving b quarks, also called beauty quarks, which are of intense current interest for experiments across the globe. Key theoretical innovations include novel treatments of electromagnetic corrections, novel theoretical formulations of the dominant physical paradigm of string fragmentation, and optimisations of key associated algorithms to enable new applications of broad relevance. Experimental measurements will be carried out to validate the new theoretical developments and use them to minimise theoretical uncertainties.Read moreRead less
Building resilient alpine environments with less snow. In this project, we aim to build resilience into alpine National Parks and Alpine Resorts to counter the effects of ongoing declines in snow. Alpine environments depend on snow to regulate water flows, insulate vegetation, control soil erosion and promote proper ecosystem functioning. How these processes will operate in a snow-free future is unknown. We will determine how and where snow characteristics drive soil water availability for plant ....Building resilient alpine environments with less snow. In this project, we aim to build resilience into alpine National Parks and Alpine Resorts to counter the effects of ongoing declines in snow. Alpine environments depend on snow to regulate water flows, insulate vegetation, control soil erosion and promote proper ecosystem functioning. How these processes will operate in a snow-free future is unknown. We will determine how and where snow characteristics drive soil water availability for plants and which plant species have the best adaptation and regeneration potential under extreme conditions such as heat, frost and drought. Benefits of the project include innovative land management and rehabilitation solutions, to safeguard Australia's alpine areas under changing environmental conditions.Read moreRead less
Drivers of phenotypic evolution in a vulnerable alpine ecosystem. This project aims to deliver a comprehensive, integrated understanding of the capacity for resilience and drivers of response of highly vulnerable alpine species and communities to climate change. The project aims to determine how communities of interacting alpine plants, soil invertebrates and microbes can cope with or evolve to novel climatic conditions. The mountains are water towers critical to power supply and Australia's agr ....Drivers of phenotypic evolution in a vulnerable alpine ecosystem. This project aims to deliver a comprehensive, integrated understanding of the capacity for resilience and drivers of response of highly vulnerable alpine species and communities to climate change. The project aims to determine how communities of interacting alpine plants, soil invertebrates and microbes can cope with or evolve to novel climatic conditions. The mountains are water towers critical to power supply and Australia's agricultural productivity. Understanding physiological tolerance and the potential for rapid evolutionary responses of plants, animals and communities is necessary to predict impacts of climate change on the future productivity of the vulnerable Australian Alps and to provide novel options for climate adaptation. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101395
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Effect of disease on reproduction plasticity and evolution in amphibians. The project aims to explore the impact of disease on reproductive success in amphibians by utilizing a holistic approach of both lab and field techniques to understand ecological mechanisms for resilience of wildlife to emerging diseases. The project will explore reproductive effort as a population persistence mechanism of declining species. This should advance knowledge of both reproductive plasticity and evolutionary ada ....Effect of disease on reproduction plasticity and evolution in amphibians. The project aims to explore the impact of disease on reproductive success in amphibians by utilizing a holistic approach of both lab and field techniques to understand ecological mechanisms for resilience of wildlife to emerging diseases. The project will explore reproductive effort as a population persistence mechanism of declining species. This should advance knowledge of both reproductive plasticity and evolutionary adaptation in the face of disease. The expected outcomes include developing targeted approaches for conservation agencies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100044
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$860,000.00
Summary
Cryogenic Experimental Laboratory for Low-background Australian Research. This project aims to build an open-access cryogenic facility in the only deep-underground physics laboratory in the southern hemisphere. This facility, called the Cryogenic Experimental Laboratory for Low-background Australian Research (CELLAR), will provide extreme shielding from sources of noise, enabling ultra-precise experiments for fundamental science and emerging applications. The expected outcomes include a deeper u ....Cryogenic Experimental Laboratory for Low-background Australian Research. This project aims to build an open-access cryogenic facility in the only deep-underground physics laboratory in the southern hemisphere. This facility, called the Cryogenic Experimental Laboratory for Low-background Australian Research (CELLAR), will provide extreme shielding from sources of noise, enabling ultra-precise experiments for fundamental science and emerging applications. The expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of astrophysics, alongside technological advances in emerging quantum technologies. CELLAR’s unique capabilities will attract strong international collaborations with multidisciplinary teams, educating the next generation of scientists and advancing the growth of Australian high-technology industries.Read moreRead less
New Tests of Fundamental Physics & Astrophysics with Atmospheric Neutrinos. Neutrinos are the least understood of the known fundamental particles, yet they hold the key to some of the most important open questions in physics and astrophysics. This project aims create new knowledge, which is needed now, using existing and imminent atmospheric neutrino data. It will pave the way to better understand the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe, supernovae, and dark matter. The exp ....New Tests of Fundamental Physics & Astrophysics with Atmospheric Neutrinos. Neutrinos are the least understood of the known fundamental particles, yet they hold the key to some of the most important open questions in physics and astrophysics. This project aims create new knowledge, which is needed now, using existing and imminent atmospheric neutrino data. It will pave the way to better understand the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe, supernovae, and dark matter. The expected outcomes include significant advances at the forefront of modern science, which will contribute to the development of a world class research capacity in Australia. Significant benefits include high level training of students and early career researchers, contributing to a highly skilled STEM workforce.Read moreRead less