Our HDR candidates
Cities Research Instititute proudly hosts over 130 higher degree by research [HDR] students across disciplines including planning, engineering, architecture, environmental science, and public health. We are committed to developing and enhancing the skills and capabilities of the next generation of researchers and professionals.
We foster a vibrant research culture through peer-to-peer learning and one-to-one mentoring for HDR students. We promote multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. Partnering with industry collaborators, we explore in-kind contributions such as equipment, technologies, or data access, to further enhance our HDRs research skills and capabilities and their research projects.
Want to join us in shaping a sustainable and innovative future through excellence in research? Explore available PhD projects.
HDR activity spotlight
Biomimicry HDR Nick at World Biodiversity Forum24
June, Davos Switzerland
Nick Heier, PhD candidate, is researching how biomimicry can help implement the nature-positive agenda for Brisbane 2032 Olympics legacy infrastructure projects. In June, he was invited to present at the World Biodiversity Forum 2024, where the theme was translating science into action.
His presentation, Biomimicry as an Interdisciplinary Framework for Biodiversity Conservation, highlighted biomimicry as a driver for nature-positive innovations in sustainable built environments through interdisciplinary collaboration and reconnection with nature. Key takeaways included the value of biodiversity as a source of biological strategies and a resource for identifying deep patterns across taxa. Nick also emphasised the crucial role of biologists, ecologists, and conservation workers in designing sustainable built environment projects.
HDR Chris at Brisbane Biodiversity Seminar
June, Brisbane
Roads create highly intricate environments with significant adverse impacts on wildlife, necessitating equally complex solutions and specialist guidance to mitigate these effects. Alongside Brisbane City Council’s in-house ecologist Martha Rees who discussed the council Wildlife Movement Solutions program, PhD candidate Chris Johnson shared research on road impacts on birds (flying over them is easier said than done) and strategies aimed at minimising long-term impacts to wildlife, such as roadkill and habitat fragmentation. This was a hugely popular and informative event, with over 200 attendees in person and virtually, including interstate and international participants.
Dr. Mark Bailey: New Executive Role
We are delighted that Dr Mark Bailey has joined the CRI Executive Committee as the HDR Co-Ordinator. Mark is the go-to person for our HDR candidates, assisting with matters related to candidature, including onboarding new candidates, managing candidature milestones, accessing grants and funding opportunities (including scholarships), and addressing any general inquiries about their time at Griffith.
Having been with CRI since 2014 and Griffith since 2011, Mark completed his PhD with Cities/Griffith in 2021. He brings a wealth of knowledge on contemporary issues in higher degree research and is well-versed in Griffith's administration systems. His close collaboration with many CRI members over the years ensures a deep understanding of our institute.
Current research candidates, topics, and supervisors
Candidate | Research Topic | Supervisors | |
Mohammad Abbasi | Indigenous Australian Cultural Land Asset Information Management (CLAIM) using remote sensing | ||
Abdulaziz Abdulmalik | Assessing the efficacy of an innovative hybrid mass solid timber-steel composite (MSTSC) system in mitigating progressive collapse | ||
Stephen Akosah | Experimental and numerical study of the geotechnical behaviour of waste glass-gravel-granular rubber | ||
Dima Jamal Al Atawneh | Impact of climate change on groundwater resources: Dead Sea Basin (DSD) and southeast of South Australia (Penola) | ||
Mohammed Al-ogaili | Predicting the recession and overtopping of two-class armour berm breakwater | ||
Fida Ali | Spatial MCDM tool for offshore wind and solar energy systems | ||
Muhammad Altaf | Integration of BIM and virtual and augmented reality for periodic inspection of a building | ||
Isuri Amarasinghe | Digital Twin for sustainable and affordable multi-family housing construction | ||
Nikshan Amatya | Parametric study of mass timber connection with dowel-type | ||
Syed Ammad | A BIM-CPS based digital twin integration for effective construction site monitoring: The CSMDTS approach | ||
Suhyun An | Analysing coastal city resilience: A comparative study of coastal hazard adaptation strategies | ||
Sadia Anam | The impact of thermal comfort on the occupants’ productivity in office buildings in Bangladesh | Dr Henry Skates | |
Jenelle Bartlett | Responding to the challenges of climate change with nature-based solutions (NBS) in SEQ catchments | ||
Sebastian Bernal | Public health authorities’ decision-making in climate forced vector-borne diseases | ||
Kishan Bhadiyadra | Investigation of MICP in conjunction with nitrifying bacteria for mitigation of coastal erosion | ||
Madison Bland | Planning for active transport: Assessment and funding of walking and cycling infrastructure and services | ||
Nick Boey | Developing a general analysis methodology for timber concrete composite floors | ||
sarath Chandra | Towards climate justice: Developing heat action plans in the Global South | ||
Shusen Chen | Numerical study for contaminant transport in marine sediment | ||
Vishal Rajendraprasad Chulliparambil | Phytocapping and ecological rehabilitation of landfills in Queensland: Current practices, barriers, and opportunities | ||
Cynthia Coyne | Developing community management strategies to support renewable energy in Indigenous communities | ||
Ayon Das | Dynamic collapse response of dowel-connected mass timber structure in the case of an earthquake | ||
Abhijeet Dashwant | Application of artificial intelligence for advanced urban water services | ||
Niloofar Dehghani Samani | Maximising outcomes for cycling in an Olympic and Paralympic Games City: The case of Brisbane | ||
Naoneet Deo | Digital Twin and simulation-based multi-objective optimisation for energy efficient and sustainable | ||
Hong Lich Dinh | Glass waste revolution: Enhancing geopolymer concrete with sustainable fine aggregate and binder systems | ||
Phuoc Tho Dinh | Advanced study on the two-way flexural behaviour of post-tensioned composite concrete structures with Profiled steel sheeting | ||
Manori Dissanayaka | Evaluation of GHG emissions from operational delays of flights at ground operations | ||
Mark Donaldson | Investigating trace metal dynamics in coastal wetland sediments | ||
Fang Dong | Stability analysis of bridge abutment and approach using finite element modelling | ||
Afifah Eleksiani | Assessing the impacts of renewable energy intervention to climate-resilient isolated communities | ||
Johanna Engels | Evaluating potential microbial health risks associated with urine derived fertilisers using QMRA | ||
Md. Esraz-Ul-Zannat | Making water resilient city to climate change through sustainable urban planning and innovative tech | ||
Anais Fabre | Innovation tools in public transport systems to mitigate climate change | ||
Adam Faircloth | Assessment of vibration and acoustic performance of hybrid timber buildings | ||
Consuelo Fariello | response of humpback whales to climate drivers in Australia | ||
Elisa Fernandez Ramos | ASSUU: Aquatic Self-Sufficient Urban Unit - Urban Sustainable Infrastructure in Sea Cities | ||
Annes Elsa Francis | Recommendations for building environmentally sustainable stadiums for large sporting events | ||
Sophie Gadaloff | Movement & Place: The new intersection between vibrant urban spaces & sustainable transport planning | ||
Nasim Ghasemi | Dowel-type connection in timber structure: Dynamic response predictions based on finite element model | ||
Marzieh Ghasemieshkaftaki | Built environments and subjective wellbeing of immigrant students in Australia (Iranian students) | ||
Xuechen Gu | The improvement of precast double-layer shear walls based on experiments and numerical simulations | ||
Sam Guy | Strengthening the resilience of water and energy management in discrete Indigenous communities | ||
Lazarus Gyang | Development of a novel floating structure for fish farming from lightweight materials | ||
Muhammad Usman Haider | Evaluation and improvement of the Southeast Queensland travel demand model for the Olympics | ||
Hanieh Hashemi | Micro-mobility transport for major events | ||
Nick Heier | Biomimicry and resilience engineering for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games | ||
Mia Hikuwai | Investigating machine learning to better understand complex environmental management issues | ||
Mohammad Hossain | Transport modelling for sporting mega-events at the conurbation scale | ||
Shabnam Hosseinzadeh Shahmarbiglou | Site selection of offshore renewable energy using multi criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches | ||
Iqrar Hussain | The structural performance and design of aluminium cladding systems | ||
Jayden Hyman | Integrated ecosystem assessment and adaptive management framework for deep-sea mining | ||
S. M. Tariqul Islam | Developing an economically viable and environmentally friendly technology for plastic waste management | ||
Ella Jackman | Communication for heat resilience: Exploring the role of heatwave communication for behaviour change in older people | ||
Ziyang Jiao | Numerical and theoretical studies of progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete | ||
Christopher Johnson | Fauna sensitive road design: Implications for academic research, practitioners, and policy | ||
Sadaf Karkoodi | Hybrid timber and steel structural system | ||
Pranavi Kasula | Rethinking social inclusivity: The case of Delhi's urban villages | ||
Sheriden Keegan | Building regional capacity in developing sustainable and resilient food systems | ||
Greg Kitson | Being On Country Off Country | ||
Aileen Koh | Investigating modern slavery risks for the Australian construction industry | ||
Heera Lee | The impact of seagrass on trace metal dynamics in coastal sediments | ||
Yasmim Leiros Meira | Assessing past and future droughts to ensure water supply security in the face of climate change | ||
Lin Li | Experimental investigation on the performance of bladed pile | ||
Evelyn Liew | Life cycle assessment of construction and demolition waste in tunnel engineering projects through BIM | ||
Jie Lin | An integrated coupling model for wave-seabed-pile interactions | ||
Peiqing Lu | Solutions to prevent glue bond failure in Australian hardwood Glulam | ||
Lynn Lue-Kopman | The path to the plate: Urban food security building resilience - a case study of Logan City | ||
Martin Luna Juncal | Application of high-frequency, real-time data for a fertiliser management decision-support system | ||
Jingyao Ma | Numerical study for the stability of suction anchor under cyclic loading | ||
Ali Mahmoudian | Multi-objective optimal power sharing in hybrid AC/DC microgrids | ||
Manpreet Manpreet | A spatial-temporal assessment of droughts over the Brisbane River catchment (Australia) | ||
Sarah McCulloch | Supplementary feeding patterns of east Australian humpback whales on their southern migration | ||
Gerard Mcnamara | Quantification of wave transformation using electromagnetic sensing and machine learning | ||
Rebecca McNaught | The role of collaborative local governance in transitioning to climate and disaster resilient development in the Pacific region | ||
John Miller | The tracking, power trends, and wave climate of tropical cyclones in the Coral Sea | ||
Rezvane Mirsane | Site selection of co-located onshore wind and solar energy farms using MCDM approach. | ||
Rafaella Mogiz Silva Leite Carvalho | Participatory design and management of apartment building projects in BIM and immersive environments | ||
Shuraik Mohamed Abdul Kader | Viability of recycled materials as sustainable growing medium for green roofs in Australia | ||
Marli Moller | Seeking Elsewhere: Retention of women in the Australian architectural Profession post-registration | ||
Sepideh Motamedpooya | Adapting to climate change by improving the hydrological performance of a green roof | ||
Hamza Mubarak | Reactive power management for LV distribution networks with high solar PV penetration | ||
Vasantha Pragash Nadarajah | Bending behaviour and design of double corrugated cold-formed steel roof system | ||
Sarah Naseri | An integrated optima-real-time monitoring of water quality framework in water distribution systems | ||
Vinay Kumar Nataraj | AI-driven logistics and trade management to enhance the competitiveness of Australian businesses | ||
Gam Thi Nguyen | Developing a business case to support a circular economy approach in wastewater management | ||
Katharina Nieberler-Walker | Investigating the role of purposefully designed therapeutic landscapes | ||
Mochamad Nurhestitunggal | The impact of Village Law on development planning system in Indonesia | ||
Grace O'Connor | Investigating local food systems, small-scale market gardening and alternative food charity models | ||
Kane Lee Offenbaume | Monitoring of health based targets E.coli and Enterococci in recreational waters, using fluorescence sensors | ||
Sule Ozkal | Water quality management via high-frequency monitoring for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef | ||
Andres Pazmino Jaramillo | The role of strategic values-led planning in the conservation of ecologically significant landscapes | ||
Leo Peach | Evaluating machine learning for operational coastal wave condition forecasting | ||
Philomina Peter | The combined effects of microplastics and PFAS on the microbes, aquatic fauna, and human health | ||
Anna Petrova | The effects of urban stresses on soil organisms and what it means for trees in cities | ||
Huu Duc Pham | Mechanical properties of aluminium alloys and stainless steel at elevated temperatures | ||
Thi Phuong Trang Pham | Intelligent pattern recognition for water demand and supply management | ||
Farid Piran | Footfall-Induced Vibration (FIV) of composite timber floors | ||
Kava Piran | The legacy of Mega Events in promoting sustainability | ||
Nasrin Pourshab | Multi-objective optimisation of facades in office buildings | ||
Jayakrishna Puthi | implementing optimisation approaches to enhance the operation of virtual power plants | ||
Ahmed Qasim | An investigation into enabling local community led food supply systems | ||
Huiyue Qiao | Low-cost Internet of Things platform for bridge structural health monitoring | ||
Maryam Rajabi Ghotromi | Spatial analysis of pedestrian networks: Understanding pedestrian behaviours and spatial networks | ||
Dilakshan Rajaratnam | Development of an E-commerce circular economic trading platform for built environment: A solution integrated with Digital Twin (nD BIM) and block chain | ||
Behzad Ranjbarnia | Transforming tourist travel behaviour using Mobility-as-a Service (Case study - Townsville) | ||
Robert Reis | Comparison of wind load drag coefficients for industrial structures | ||
Zhongyuan Ren | Effect of ground granulated blast furnace slag replacement offly ash as an aluminosilicate precurs | ||
Tayyaba Riaz | Assessment of GnPR in urban planning parameters and its implications: A cross-country analysis | ||
Krishnaveny Risheharan | Floating mangrove wave breakers for coastal protection and production (Case study - Queensland) | ||
Ruwan Samarakoon Arachchige | The impact of board gender diversity on cash holdings, stock liquidity, and green financing in international markets | ||
Neebajan Sathiyaseelan | Post-fire behaviour and design of aluminium lipped channel beams | ||
Mohammad Sheykhi Eilanlou | Architecture and construction of Modernism in the Global South case study: Pluralities of modernisation | ||
Sahman Soleimani | Investigations into structural robustness of mass timber buildings | ||
Guowei Sui | Evaluating the lateral resistance of hollow shaft helical piles | ||
Tianyu Sun | Application of 3D printing technology and geopolymer in the large-scale building | ||
Elakiya Thavarajah | The structural behaviour and design of roll-formed aluminium beam | ||
James Thompson | Effects of wave farms on coastal dynamics | ||
Nathalie Tomson | Air pollution mitigation through the design and evaluation of living green barriers | ||
Jane Toner | Coevolution of biomimicry and regenerative design for place-based projects | ||
Thong Tri Tran | Structural behaviour and design of light gauge steel frame walls in modular buildings | ||
Yunjin Wang | Rebuilding children’s nature: Exploring nature-based place-based attachment in metropolitan areas | ||
Cassidy Winter | Assessing the leaf litter invertebrate diversity of constructed green spaces in urban environments | ||
Patrick Woletz | Assessment of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) abundance in the Gold Coast | ||
Paul Wright | Techno-economic-environmental life cycle assessment of green hydrogen heavy road transport options | ||
Chengcai Yan | Assessing compressive and uplift capacity of enlarged precast pile foundation | ||
Zeping Yang | Back analysis of airport pavement strength rating with stochastic approach | ||
Jingwei Yao | Water quality research with MODFLOW and SD-MUSIC Model | ||
Farzana Yeasmin | Managing heat stress among Bangladesh ready-made clothing industry workers. | ||
Yupeng Zhang | Evaluating rigid pavement performance using integrated pavement condition analysis | ||
Hongchuan Zhang | Model with sediment transport near seabed in coastal regions | ||
Xinyu Zhang | Hydrodynamic analysis of offshore fish pen design | ||
Yue Zhao | Long-term durability assessment of GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) bars: An experimental study | ||
Fei Zhao | Optimise the application of coffee ground as filler in concrete | ||
Ziqi Zhao | Prefabricated post-tensioned flat plate system against progressive collapse | ||
Xuna Zhu | The road less taken: Understanding the barriers, and prospects for cycle-tourism in Queensland |