Centre for Health Services Research Summer Research projects
The use of artifical intelligence (AI) in aged care
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 30 hours |
Location: | Herston: Health Sciences Building |
Description: | This project will look at how data from comprehensive geriatric assessments that have been used for machine learning. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | Student will gain understanding of the scoping review and experience different methodological steps in conducting a scoping review, including electronic advanced database searches, critical thinking, quality of the study appraisal, writing for publication. |
Suitable for: | Students considering a PhD. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Hanh Dao, h.daotran@uq.edu.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Global Drug Survey: Analysis of data from the world’s largest survey of drug use (2013-2024)
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 30-36 |
Location: | Herston: Health Sciences Building |
Description: | The Global Drug Survey is the world’s largest survey of drug use. We have annual data spanning 2013-2024 (with over 1,000,000 records), including from a special 2020 COVID-19 survey. Each year, respondents from over 30 countries have completed survey on their drug use (ever, last 12 months and last 30 days). We have data on over 100 different types of drugs: on the less typical drugs (e.g., ketamine, and many Novel Psychoactive Substances) and the more common drugs, for example cocaine, methamphetamines, cannabis and synthetic cannabis, and alcohol. If you are interested in alcohol or other drug research, this project is for you. We are looking for a highly motivated scholar to prepare one journal article using GDS data. The topic will be decided based on your interests and current relevant topics. If you want to know more see http://www.globaldrugsurvey.com/ |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | • Conduct a literature search • Create an endnote library • May include drafting a literature review • Data cleaning and preparation • Descriptive Data analysis • May include Big Data analytics |
Suitable for: | • Strong quantitative analysis skills (3rd / 4th year level), preferably with experience in Stata • Interest in alcohol and other drug policy/interventions • Highly organised and responsive to emails and calendar invites |
Primary Supervisor: | Professor Jason Ferris, j.ferris@uq.edu.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Sun Safe Policy in Sport – A Systematic Review
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 25-36 hours per week |
Location: | Dutton Park: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Building 33 |
Description: | This project’s aim is to conduct a Systematic Review on Sun Safe Policy in Sport within Australia. This is to gain understanding of the current standards of sun safety and to identify gaps in the research to target. Over the 6-week period, you will be required to review literature and work on summarising the findings. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | This project is expected to provide an understanding of the current use of sun safety methods within Australia, through the production of a report. These findings are expected to provide context for further work the Centre for Health Services Research is working on in 2025. Your contributions will directly benefit the team here at CHSR as well as other key stakeholders. You will gain skills in identifying, appraising and synthesising knowledge to provide a clear and succinct review of the current literature. If the review discovers sufficient new evidence within the papers then this might result in a publication or presentation at a conference. As well as gaining insights into being part of a research team. This would be a great precursor for those who are interested in post-graduate research or are looking to reinforce research understanding. |
Suitable for: | This project is an open application from students with a background in health and looking to get experience in research. |
Primary Supervisor: | Monika Janda, Director of Centre for Health Services Research, m.janda@uq.edu.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Sunscreen Use – A Systematic Review
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 25-36 hours per week |
Location: | Dutton Park: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Building 33 |
Description: | This project’s aim is to conduct a Systematic Review on Sunscreen Use in Australia. This is to gain understanding of the current standards of sunscreen use and to identify gaps in the research to target. Over the 6-week period, you will be required to review literature and work on summarising the findings. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | This project is expected to provide an understanding of the current use of sun safety methods within Australia, through the production of a report. These findings are expected to provide context for further work the Centre for Health Services Research is working on in 2025. Your contributions will directly benefit the team here at CHSR as well as other key stakeholders. You will gain skills in identifying, appraising and synthesising knowledge to provide a clear and succinct review of the current literature. If the review discovers sufficient new evidence within the papers then this might result in a publication or presentation at a conference. As well as gaining insights into being part of a research team. This would be a great precursor for those who are interested in post-graduate research or are looking to reinforce research understanding. |
Suitable for: | This project is an open application from students with a background in health and looking to get experience in research. |
Primary Supervisor: | Monika Janda, Director of Centre for Health Services Research, m.janda@uq.edu.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Exploring novel data sources and analysis methods to enhance public health surveillance in Australia
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 35 |
Location: | Herston: Health Sciences Building |
Description: | This research will investigate the utility of using multiple data sources to train disease prediction models to enhance infectious disease surveillance. The key to effective public health management of infectious diseases is timely and detailed information about the spread of infection and who is being affected. Recently, novel methods of surveillance using social media and crowd sourced data in conjunction with machine learning methods have been used to predict disease outbreaks. These types of data provide benefits over traditional sources as they are generally publicly available and can provide additional timeliness. This work has focused on the use of one primary data source, with initial investigation into combining of a number of data sources showing increased timeliness. To date, these approaches have not been investigated in the Australian context. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The applicant will gain an understanding of how to scope the literature to identify various data sources, machine learning approaches, and implementation practices. |
Suitable for: | Public Health Students, students with understanding in machine learning and students considering a PhD |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Elton Lobo, elton.lobo@uq.edu.au The supervisor MUST be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Digital health approaches in the management of type II diabetes
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 20 |
Location: | Herston: Health Sciences Building |
Description: | In medicine, a phenotype refers to a set of measurable biological, behavioural or cognitive markers that are found more often in individuals with a particular disease or condition than in the general population. Patient phenotypes captured to enhance health and wellness will soon extend to human interactions with technology: a new and growing phenomenon known as “digital phenotype”. Digital phenotypes can expand our ability to identify and diagnose health conditions. For example, through social media, forums and online communities, wearable technologies and mobile devices, there is a growing body of health-related data that can shape our assessment of human illness. The aim of this project is to conduct a literature review to uncover evidence of how digital phenotypes (through use of technologies such as social media, wearable and mobile devices) can be used to diagnose, treat and manage Type 2 diabetes. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The student is expected to continue the next steps of an ongoing project. The student is expected to complete data extraction for approximately 20 journal articles selected for inclusion in the analysis and begin drafting the methods and results sections of a manuscript for submission to a prestigious journal. It is expected that by the end of the summer program, the results and methods sections will have advanced to near-ready status: the other sections (introduction, discussion, conclusion and abstract) will be led by the supervisor but the student may contribute if time permits. The student will be listed as a co-author on the manuscript resulting from this work for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. |
Suitable for: | The project requires good analytical skills and attention to detail. In addition to enhancing those skills, the student will gain essential research skills related to systematic reviews, analysing and synthesizing research data, and academic writing. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Ronald Dendere, r.dendere@uq.edu.au The supervisor MUST be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Improving early detection of albuminuria in Queensland
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 36 hours per week |
Location: | Princess Alexandra Hospital/TRI |
Description: | Many adults in the Queensland general community don't realise that they have albuminuria (leakage of albumin in the urine), which is the best predictor of cardiovascular events and kidney failure. Effective and lifesaving therapies for kidney disease with albuminuria have recently become available, but many eligible people are not tested by their GPs. This project will refine existing urine collection devices that will allow for home-based urine collection and testing. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | Contribution to the manuscript for publication. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to applications from students with a background in chemistry, pre-medical provisional students, and students considering a PhD. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Benjamin Lazarus, Benjamin.Lazarus@health.qld.gov.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |