Winter projects
We offer winter research scholarships to eligible students. Our winter research program is offered for four weeks over the winter holiday period (June to July).
Students will participate in a 4- week research project, working with a research mentor, and will be expected to actively participate in the program for between 20 and 36 hours per week.
Contact A/Prof Wendy Goodwin, w.goodwin@uq.edu.au for more information on the eligibility and the application process.
Available projects
Investigation into the epidemiological factors influencing the occurrence of primary canine cardiac haemangiosarcoma
Title: Investigation into the epidemiological factors influencing the occurrence of primary canine cardiac haemangiosarcoma
Description: Our goal is to determine what are the most important epidemiological factors that influence the occurrence of primary canine haemangiosarcomas (HSAs) in Australia and internationally. Current literature suggests that the risk of development of primary cardiac HSAs in dogs is due to commonly applied population management practices such as desexing and its subsequent hormonal imbalances, whilst others state intrinsic factors such as demographics are better predictors. The student will work for a 6-week period performing data mining utilising databases from Australia and internationally to unveil common factors influencing the occurrence of this devastating canine condition.
Supervisor: Dr Viviana Gonzalez-Astudillo
The relationship between estimated breeding value for heat tolerance and reproductive outcomes in subtropical dairy cows
Title: The relationship between estimated breeding value for heat tolerance and reproductive outcomes in subtropical dairy cows.
Description: Objective: To compare the differences in reproductive outcomes between dairy cows that are genetically divergent for heat tolerance (data-based) and managed under subtropical conditions. Methodology: The UQ Gatton Dairy will be screened for estimated breeding values (EBV) for heat tolerance and the average EBV for heat tolerance for heifers and cows (cattle) will be determined. Heifers with ≥ or < average EBV for heat tolerance will be classified as heat tolerance positive (HHT+) and heat tolerance (HHT-), respectively, and reproductive outcomes like age at first AI, age at conception, and pregnancy rate to first AI will be compared between HHT+ and HHT- heifers. Similarly, cows with ≥ or < average EBV for heat tolerance will be classified as heat tolerance positive (CHT+) and heat tolerance (CHT-), respectively, and reproductive outcomes like calving to first AI, calving to conception, pregnancy rate to first AI, 100-d in-calf rate, and 200-d not-in-calf rate will be compared between CHT+ and CHT-, whilst the effects of parity, season of breeding, and milk production will be accounted. Future application: To mitigate the effect of heat stress on fertility through genetic/genomic selection for heat tolerance, especially, in subtropical dairy cattle in Australia. Benefits to the student: The honours student is expected to gain (i) deeper understanding of overall reproductive management and the importance of genetic selection for variety of traits in subtropical dairy cattle, (ii) data mining skills like collection and interpretation of data for individual cows using the dairy management software, (iv) data analytical skills using statistical software, and (iv) contribution towards a peer-reviewed publication.
Supervisor: Dr Mohanathas Gobikrushanth
The relationship between anogenital distance and reproductive outcomes in Australian Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle
Title: The relationship between anogenital distance and reproductive outcomes in Australian Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle
Description: Objective: To evaluate the differences in reproductive outcomes based on anogenital distance in subtropical Australian Holstein-Friesian cattle. Methodology: The anogenital
distance (AGD) for all currently available UQ Gatton Dairy heifers and cows (cattle) will be determined. Based on average AGD determined, heifers will be classified into short-AGD (< average AGD) and long-AGD (≥ average AGD) groups and reproductive outcomes like age at first AI, age at conception, and pregnancy rate to first AI will be compared between AGD groups in heifers. Similarly, based on average AGD determined, cows will be classified into short-AGD (< average AGD) and long-AGD (≥ average AGD) groups, and reproductive outcomes like calving to first AI, calving to conception, pregnancy rate to first AI, 100-d in-calf rate, and 200-d not-in-calf rate will be compared between AGD groups in cows. Future application: To explore the potential of AGD as a novel fertility trait for genetic/genomic selection for dairy cattle in Australia. Benefits to the student: The honours student is expected to gain (i) deeper understanding of overall reproductive management subtropical dairy cattle, (ii) filed wok involving restraining and collection of AGD measures in cattle, (iii) data mining skills like collection and interpretation of data for individual cows using the dairy management software, (iv) data analytical skills using statistical software, and (iv) contribution towards a peer-reviewed publication.
Supervisor: Dr Mohanathas Gobikrushanth
Assessing veterinary students' perceptions of and skill enhancement using Virtual Reality (VR) Technology employed in medical education
Title: Assessing veterinary students' perceptions of and skill enhancement using Virtual Reality (VR) Technology employed in medical education.
Description: VR is a novel tech-based learning modality for medical education. Its uses extend from comprehension of anatomy and physiology to developing better clinical understanding through patient simulations. The Holohuman™ app provides a VR platform; it has been successfully implemented in the faculty of medicine, dentistry, and nursing at the University of Queensland (UQ). This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of UQ veterinary science students on the suitability and implementation of VR technology in the program. The winter research project will require the successful 4th year veterinary student to work with the research team to write a human ethics application to allow veterinary student’s perceptions and skill levels to be scientifically tested before and after utilising the Holohuman™ app. Pre and Post surveys and quizzes will be utilised and statistical analysis designed to determine if a significant improvement was made. The surveys will be pilot tested on group of students over the winter research period and then once ethics is obtained incorporated in semester 2 (and semester 1 2025) teaching. The data will be available for the successful winter research student to utilise as a VETS5017 research elective in 2025. The work will result in an abstract presentation at the AVA conference and a peer reviewed scientific paper. The research support team includes Drs Allison Stewart and Fran Shapter who have already mentored a previous summer student Alyse Wood who built a cardiology learning resource. Alyse used qualitative and quantitative analysis using pre-and post intervention surveys to statistically prove the usefulness of her cardiology resource with the results culminating in a 5017 research project, Bain Fallon Abstract presentation and a manuscript ready for submission. Drs. Stewart and Shapter also have a grant to build a VR platform with collaboration with Dr. Sobia Zafer from the UQ School of Dentistry who has published on the success of VR to improve student outcomes in the UQ School of Dentistry. The survey questions utilised by Dr Zafer will be adapted by the winter research student under the guidance of the team. The project requires a 4th year veterinary student with an interest in scientific
research, data collection and presentation, Excel spreadsheet and graphical skills and a knowledge of VR. The student should be willing to enrol as a VETs5017 research elective in 2025 to be able to utilise the data collected and work on the manuscript and abstract presentation.
Supervisor: Dr Allison Stewart
Comparative Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Alfaxalone in Dogs: Single Dose Alfaxalone Multidose 4% (40 mg/mL) compariny intravenous to intramusclar dosing
Title: Comparative Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Alfaxalone in Dogs: Single Dose Alfaxalone Multidose 4% (40 mg/mL) compariny intravenous to intramusclar dosing
Description: Jurox has developed a formulation of the neurosteroid drug alfaxalone, called RD0387, which is low in volume and non-painful upon intramuscular (IM) administration. Dose characterization studies of Alfaxan Multidose 4% (AM4%; RD0387) have shown the 1X dose to be 7.5mg/kg body weight and the formulation to be effective as a sedative with minimum effect on both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems (JX1501-K040).
This study will provide the pharmacokinetic (PK) and relative bioavailability (RBA) of IM versus intravenous (IV) administration of AM4% at the 1X dose of 7.5mg/kg body weight. This study will also allow us to compare the pharmacokinetic profile of AM4% to previously reported pharmacokinetic profile of Alfaxalone 1%. The data will also provide information on the safety and efficacy of AM4% when administered IV to produce anaesthesia in dogs. Students working on this study will be involved in the experimental phase of data collection (e.g. collection of samples and monitoring sedated and anaesthetised dogs) and assist with data collation. There will be the opportunity to be part of a peer reviewed manuscript for publication.
Supervisor: A/Prof Wendy Goodwin