21 March 2025

University of Queensland researchers have secured more than $4.45 million from Australia's Economic Accelerator Ignite program (Round 1) to advance research and commercialisation in national priority areas.  

The funding will support ½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏ12 projects in sectors such as medical science, renewables, and agriculture. 

½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏwas third in Australia for the number of projects funded, with 155 grants awarded to 28 universities in this round. 

Grant recipients and project summaries 

  • Dr Karl Bertling - technology using quantum cascade laser imaging to detect early skin cancer. 
  • Dr Peng Chen - lead-free perovskite solar cells to create more affordable and eco-friendly solar panels. 
  • Dr Hima Haridevan - ecofriendly materials to replace traditional synthetic polymers to help retain water in soil. 
  • Ms Rachel Huang – microbes to trap sulphate-reducing bacteria for treating and recovering metals from mining affected waters. 
  • Dr Yuanshen Lu - devices to transfer heat between power systems to help improve the efficiency of energy generation. 
  • Dr Karishma Mody - technology to manage pests that damage crops including the cotton bollworm and western flower thrips. 
  • Dr Julius Motuzas - scaling up pre-crystallisation technology for advanced compound metal manufacturing, reducing waste and contributing to zero-liquid discharge applications. 
  • Dr Juliana Segura-Salazar - ore-sand as a scalable solution to reduce mineral waste and create alternative construction materials, supporting a circular economy. 
  • Professor Ala Tabor - proof-of-concept vaccine trial to protect cattle from two sexually transmitted diseases. 
  • Dr Zhe Yang -  technology designed to capture carbon dioxide and convert it to electricity. 

Media contact 

½ñÈÕ¿´ÁϳԹÏCommunications 
communications@uq.edu.au 
+61 429 056 139