Students opportunities

Building a world worth living in.

With a national and international profile, we perform impactful research which addresses pressing global issues whilst respecting and applying the principles of First Nations ways of being, doing and knowing. We think big and take a grand challenge approach, as we strive to reshape the future of agriculture, water management, and environmental conservation.

Considering applying for a Gulbali Institute PhD Scholarship?

Check back in September when we will announce our Challenge Scholarships for 2026.

GRDC Research Scholarships More details

Expression of Interest Application form

Our programs

Gulbali Institute Challenge PhD Scholarships

Challenge Project 3:  
Program Lead: Prof Michael Walsh michwalsh@csu.edu.au

Supervisor Panel Members: Prof Leslie Weston, Dr John Broster, Dr Guy Coleman, Dr Asad Asaduzzaman, Dr Remy Dehaan and Dr Shawn McGrath

Opportunities and requirements that ensure effective and ongoing use of novel weed control technologies in grain production systems.

PhD project: Defining the cropping system context for the development and introduction of site-specific weed control technologies

Background

The need for novel and innovative weed control techniques along with weed recognition capability is creating the opportunity for in-crop site specific control of weeds with alternative technologies. Sophisticated weed recognition capabilities are being rapidly developed enabling the detection of whole plants and plant parts (e.g. growing points) for subsequent targeting with weed control treatments. This capability is supporting research efforts on the development of novel weed control technologies, chemical and non-chemical, that are aimed at utilising site-specific weed targeting opportunities. The development of weed recognition and novel weed control technologies is currently occurring mostly without specific consideration of the weed control opportunities and needs of Australian large-scale cropping systems. To ensure the effective use of these technologies there is a need to identify and define the cropping system contexts in which novel weed control technologies can be effectively delivered for in-crop site-specific weed control.

PhD research:

- Identify opportunities for the use of site-specific novel weed control in specific crops and cropping situations of large-scale cropping.

- Evaluate alternative weed control techniques for their potential use in Australian large-scale cropping

- Define how best to incorporate novel weed control techniques into weed management programs

Campus location and place of work:

Wagga Wagga primarily with opportunities for extended visits to campuses at University of Western Australia, University of Copenhagen and Texas A&M

For more details:

Michael Walsh, E: michwalsh@csu.edu.au, M:0448847272

Expressions of Interest are to be submitted initially using the online form.

International applications have now closed.

Domestic Students Expressions of Interest open now! Shortlisted candidates will be contacted in June 2025, with enrolments starting in August 2025.

More details and apply

Contact for general enquiries

Email gulbali@csu.edu.au

The Challenge Prospectus

The Gulbali Institute offers PhD scholarships for outstanding research scholars.

Challenge Project 3:  
Program Lead: Prof Michael Walsh michwalsh@csu.edu.au

Supervisor Panel Members: Prof Leslie Weston, Dr John Broster, Dr Guy Coleman, Dr Asad Asaduzzaman, Dr Remy Dehaan and Dr Shawn McGrath

Opportunities and requirements that ensure effective and ongoing use of novel weed control technologies in grain production systems.

PhD project: Defining the cropping system context for the development and introduction of site-specific weed control technologies

Background

The need for novel and innovative weed control techniques along with weed recognition capability is creating the opportunity for in-crop site specific control of weeds with alternative technologies. Sophisticated weed recognition capabilities are being rapidly developed enabling the detection of whole plants and plant parts (e.g. growing points) for subsequent targeting with weed control treatments. This capability is supporting research efforts on the development of novel weed control technologies, chemical and non-chemical, that are aimed at utilising site-specific weed targeting opportunities. The development of weed recognition and novel weed control technologies is currently occurring mostly without specific consideration of the weed control opportunities and needs of Australian large-scale cropping systems. To ensure the effective use of these technologies there is a need to identify and define the cropping system contexts in which novel weed control technologies can be effectively delivered for in-crop site-specific weed control.

PhD research:

- Identify opportunities for the use of site-specific novel weed control in specific crops and cropping situations of large-scale cropping.

- Evaluate alternative weed control techniques for their potential use in Australian large-scale cropping

- Define how best to incorporate novel weed control techniques into weed management programs

Campus location and place of work:

Wagga Wagga primarily with opportunities for extended visits to campuses at University of Western Australia, University of Copenhagen and Texas A&M

For more details:

Michael Walsh, E: michwalsh@csu.edu.au, M:0448847272

  • Muhammad Khizer Ali
    Unsupervised domain adaptation of Vision Language Models for downstream classification task
  • Millicent Ager
    Determining optimal space allocation and bedding rate of feedlot cattle under a covered housing system in Southern Australia
  • Nur E Jannat Amee
    Assessing Impacts of Climate Change on Maternal Health Using a Data Science Approach: Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Coastal Bangladesh
  • Tanjina Amin
    Molecular determinants of human milk oligosaccharides as a bioactive compound for vision development and cognitive behaviour in piglets
  • Julian Arriagada
    Drivers of population dynamics in Murray-Darling Basin bony herring (Nematalosa erebi)
  • Jordan Bathgate
    Understanding the Physiological and Genetic Drivers of Low Harvest Index of Winter Wheat in Water-limited Environments
  • Adam Bennett
    A critical assessment of the impacts of powerlines on birds
  • Elka Blackman
    Genetic diversity, gene flow and adaptation of freshwater mussels in a changing climate
  • Olivia Brunton
    The potential benefits of dual placement phosphorus fertiliser application to south-eastern Australian crop species
  • Nayomi Danthanarayana
    Zoonotic arboviruses of Papua New Guinea and their vectors: Characterising the mosquito microbiome and evaluating novel surveillance methods
  • Nani Gopal Das
    Strategic feeding and management of sheep to produce safe lamb and reduce heat stress
  • Tridip Das
    Insights into the transmission and pathobiology of avian circoviruses with emphasis on novel spray dried vaccine development
  • August Daulat
    Water Resources Availability Due to Climate Variability in the Tropical Region 
  • Fleur Magick Dennis
    TBA
  • Pangkaj Kumar Dhar
    Assessing the role of invertebrate vectors in transmission of Beak and feather disease virus with special emphasis on subunit vaccine development
  • Nicki (Nicolette) Duncan
    Integrating human nutrition security and rice field landscape habitats to enhance strategic fish passage barrier prioritization.
  • Francette Dusan
    TBA
  • Oli Ahmed Fakir
    Impact of microbial biostimulants application on wheat in dryland Australia 
  • Thomas Freire
    Tipping the scales: Snakes as bioindicators of wetland health in the Murray-Darling Basin 
  • Joshua Gilbert
    Indigenous Agribusiness 
  • Rendy Ginanjar
    Evaluating the socio-ecological impacts of micro hydropower plant development on rivers and fisheries in Indonesia: a case study of the Kertamukti Micro Hydropower Plant, Cicatih River. 
  • Scott Graham
    Improving enrolments and engagement in secondary and tertiary agriculture through improving academic rigour and reputation of agriculture in secondary schools 
  • Timothy Green
    100-Day Wheats for a Changing Australian Climate 
  • Maddellen Guan (Masters Student)
    TBA
  • Mahir Habib
    A Microservice-based Framework for Sharing Livestock Event Information
  • Jennifer Hawker
    Structural and molecular mechanisms of NSs-mediated pathogenesis of bunyaviruses 
  • Aida  Heriati
    Managing Conservation Area along River Border through Spatial Planning Regulatory Support for Effective Flood Mitigation (Case study: Poso Watershed) 
  • Md Belal Hossain
    Agronomic climate change adaptation strategies using simulation modelling 
  • Ahmed Ishtiaque
    Structural and functional characterisation of the molecular interactions of non-structural proteins in Japanese Encephalitis Virus infection
  • Md. Shoriful Islam
    Ecology and phenology study of Sticky Nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam) for invasion management in Australia 
  • Aliati Iswantari
    Australian Alpine Stream Trophic Ecology: The Critically Endangered Stocky galaxias (Galaxias tantangara) Conservation Effort 
  • Dominic Kanak
    Truth Telling in Agriculture: Sovereignty applied in First Nations agricultural engagement under the Aboriginal Protection Laws
  • Mariam Khanam
    Ameliorating saline soil by organic amendments to reduce sale stress in agricultural system 
  • Miltone Kimori
    Examining the potential of social marketing within community wealth-building programs as a pathway towards transformative change in rural communities in the Murray-Darling Basin. 
  • Velislav Kotevski
    Evaluation of biodiverse Australian macroalgal species 
  • Kurniawan Kurniawan
    Enhancing tropical anguillid eel sustainability in Indonesia: A comprehensive investigation on migration, recruitment, and social-ecological perspectives
  • Dylan Lees
    Population viability and spatial ecology of the threatened squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) to rapidly changing peri-urban landscapes
  • Mitchell Lenehan
    Why do/don’t landholders engage with conservation?
  • Letro
    Human-Carnivore Interactions in Bhutan: Exploring Ecological and Social Dimensions to Enhance Coexistence
  • Hardy Manser (Masters Student)
    An evaluation of the efficacy and relevance of Agricultural Vocational Education and Training in fulfilling the workforce development needs of the contemporary Australian Agricultural Workforce
  • Clara Maurizzi
    Molecular determinants of Japanese encephalitis virus pathogenesis
  • Chloe McAuley
    Understanding the influence of fire disturbance on the movement ecology of the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in the Pilbara 
  • Tahura Khanam Munmun
    Biosecurity in Backyard Poultry: Impact on the Emergence of Zoonoses and Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Nurun Nahar Naila
    Integrating Rice-Vegetables-Co Culture Diversification Farming: Impacts on Yield, Nutrition, Food Security, and Household Economies in Rural Bangladesh
  • Jack Nicholas
    Examining Recruitment Constraints on Large-Bodied Native Fish Populations in Temperate Floodplain Rivers of Southeast Australia 
  • Nazia Nowrid
    Molecular mechanisms of innate immune system inhibition by pathogenic paramyxoviruses
  • Somphou Phasulath (Masters)
    Rapid decompression impact Mekong fish in the Mekong basin, Lao PDR
  • Thanasak Poomchaivej
    Developing a Monitoring System to Determine Migration Ecology of Select Mekong Fish Species in the Fishway of Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant,
    Northern Laos
  • Reema Prakash
    Rapid decompression impact Mekong fish in the Mekong basin, Lao PDR"Building sustainable apple production systems through efficient crop load management and enhanced eco-credentials
  • Vitas Prakoso
    Translating fish passage research outcomes into policy and legislation across SE Asia 
  • Nazia Rahman
    Exploring Genetic Diversity of Human Adenoviruses in Bangladeshi Population
  • Pradeep Rai
    Unravelling Regenerative Agriculture Realities: Economic, Social & Environmental Preferences and Outcomes of Australian Regenerative Farmers 
  • Negash Tessema Roba
    Bushfire Risk Assessment and Impact on Catchment Water Balance under Changing Climate: The Case of Murrumbidgee River Catchment
  • Jaishree Ravindran
    Development of advanced technology for high yield dairy lactoferrin production and discovery by-products during production process and functional evaluation
  • Andrew Reid
    The maternal performance of Merino ewes with differing breeding values for wool and meat traits
  • Khokan Saha
    Grape and wine authentication using direct mass spectrometry and machine learning models 
  • Tanvir Ahmed Saikat
    Unveiling the Structures of Nucleoprotein-Phosphoprotein Complexes in High-Risk Paramyxoviruses: Development of Small Inhibitors against Paramyxoviral Infections
  • Emmalie Sanders
    Ecology and resource use of the rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster) in the Murrumbidgee catchment area
  • Tiarna Scerri
    Genomic-based solutions for mastitis treatment 
  • Yogita Sharma
    Deciphering the structure and mechanistic basis of nuclear transportation of myelination associated key transcription factors 
  • Shahin Solgi
    Geospatial modelling of region-scale crop water-use to forecast climate change impacts on irrigation demand
  • Sarah Stevens
    A study on the suitability of industrial hemp biomass as a ruminant feed
  • Darby Taguiam
    Diagnosis and Management of Dieback in Persimmon Trees
  • Paige Taylor
    Investigating the molecular determinants for pathogenicity of Influenza A, primarily in its interaction with ANP32A through structural elucidation  
  • Khin July Win Thant
    Effect of Thermal Stratification on Water Quality in an Oberon Reservoir
  • Abdullah Toqeer
    Developing and Applying Remote Sensing Techniques to Monitor Woody Plant Encroachment
  • Veronika Vicic
    Barriers and production solutions to enhance dairy beef supply chains in Australia
  • Isara Vongluanngam
    The impact of light on the oxidative and reductive aging of wine
  • Sophie Wacher
    Understanding the nuclear localisation of cytomegalovirus major immediate early proteins through their interactions with host factors
  • Emily Wagon
    Exploring equine encephalitis virus: investigating how the viral capsid protein hijacks host cell receptors during nucleocytoplasmic transport
  • Chris Wilmot
    Certifying Soil Stewardship Management Practices Through the Consumer Market
  • Ben Wilson
    What is the impact of feral cats on Australian lizards and how can we mitigate this threat?
  • Calvin Wong
    How does grapevine root distribution influence nutrient uptake and berry composition in cool climate viticulture?
  • Jessica Wyse
    Characterisation of coumestans in lucerne and their effect on fertility in beef cattle
  • Dawa Yoezer
    Assessing the influence of altered inundation dynamics on tree condition and recruitment in lower Murrumbidgee floodplain forests

2025

2024

After working for several years in the Environmental field, I was keen to get back into research and Charles Sturt University was a great place to do so. Within the Gulbali Institute there are so many interesting and diverse people and projects that inspiration is never far. As a result, my PhD supervisory team was first class - knowledgeable, supportive and included a diverse group of academics and industry leaders. The regional setting of the Institute allowed me to pursue higher education while still living comfortably, something I don’t believe I could have accomplished at a metropolitan university.

Lauren Stoot
Portrait of Lauren Stoot