Optimising Resistant Starch Formation in Different Rice Varieties Under Various Processing Conditions

Primary Supervisor: Dr Boris Budiono
Co-Supervisors: Dr Nidhish Francis & Prof. Chris Blanchard
Location: Wagga Wagga
Keywords: functional foods, nutrition, food science, glycaemic index, diabetes
Research Group: Food as Medicine (FAM) Research Group

Synopsis:
Resistant starch (RS) is a form of starch that escapes digestion in the small intestine and reaches the colon, where it is fermented by gut microbiota into beneficial short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Increased RS intake is associated with improved glycaemic control, enhanced gut health, and potential protection against metabolic disorders. Rice is a staple food globally, including in Australia, but its high glycaemic index makes it less suitable for individuals with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Evidence shows that cooking, cooling, and reheating rice can increase RS content, yet the optimal processing conditions for different rice varieties (e.g., white, brown, basmati, jasmine) remain poorly understood.

Project Aim:This study aims to investigate how different cooking, cooling, and reheating conditions affect the resistant starch content of various rice varieties. The findings could inform dietary strategies to reduce postprandial glycaemic responses and promote healthier carbohydrate choices.

Project Objectives:

Compare the RS content of freshly cooked, cooled, and cooled–reheated rice across multiple rice varieties.
Test different cooling durations (e.g., 4 h, overnight, 24 h) and reheating methods (microwave, stovetop) to identify the most effective strategies for RS enhancement.
Analyse the impact of these conditions on predicted glycaemic index using in vitro starch digestibility assays.

Methods Overview: Students will cook standardised portions of different rice varieties under controlled conditions, then subject them to various cooling and reheating treatments. RS content will be measured using AOAC-approved enzymatic assays. Optionally, samples may also undergo simulated in vitro digestion to assess glucose release rates. Results will be statistically analysed to determine which combinations of rice variety and processing condition yield the highest RS levels.

Expected Outcomes: This project will generate practical recommendations for preparing rice with improved nutritional profiles. The results could support future public health messaging or functional food development aimed at lowering dietary glycaemic load and improving metabolic health

URL link to relevant journal articles or website: https://www.csu.edu.au/research/fgc

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Boris Budiono

The relationship between experimental cold-pain and cognitive processing

Primary Supervisor: Dr Peter Micalos
Co-Supervisor:
Location: Port Macquarie
Keywords: physiology, neuroscience, pain, cognition
Type of Project: Quantitative
Project availability:

Introduction A bi-directional relationship exists between cognition and pain. The cold pressor test is a procedure that elicits pain while the hand is submerged in a cold-water bath. Modifications of the cold-pressor test can be applied in experimental pain research to investigate the effects on cognition.

Aim The hypothesis is that the application of a cognitive task (basic mathematics test) will affect the pain responses during the cold-pressure test. A secondary hypothesis is that the experimental pain will inhibit cognitive processing during the cold-pressor test.

https://nuighealthpsychology.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cold-pressor.png

Research design This Honours research will be required to be conducted at the Port Macquarie campus. The study involves recruitment, assessment, and testing of healthy participants during the performance of a cognitive task while undergoing a cold pressure test procedure. Human research ethics application and approval will be necessary for this study. Variations to this research include the application of virtual reality and the effects of listening to music while undergoing the cold-pressor test.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Peter Micalos

Learning Anatomy Differently: Innovative Approaches to Support Neurodivergent Students

Primary Supervisor: Dr Claudia M. Diaz
Co-Supervisor: Dr Adam Brett
Location: All campuses/Online, Albury
Keywords: innovation, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD,
Tourette’s, dyslexia, cPTSD, OCD
Type of Project: Quantitative and qualitative
Project availability: Until December, 2026

Australian Universities are currently attracting large and extremely diverse student populations, including an increase in neurodivergent students. Neurodivergent individuals have brain functioning and processing styles that are different from what is considered typical or neurotypical. Neurodivergence includes a variety of divergences in the brain which includes, but is not limited to, Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Tourette’s, dyslexia, dyspraxia, auditory processing disorder, cPTSD, OCD and sensory processing disorder. It is estimated that 15-20% of the world’s population is neurodivergent. In Australia it is estimated that 15-20% of students, 11% of Australian employees are neurodivergent. In Australia neurodivergent people are not as likely to attend university compared to neurotypical people and they face many challenges such as sensory overload, social and emotional challenges, academic difficulties and often a lack of appropriate support.

This research project aims to investigate the experiences and perceptions of neurodivergent students using innovative approaches to learn anatomy, including assessment, in several subjects using surveys (quantitative), focus groups and interviews (qualitative). Furthermore, we will explore approaches to enhance the peer interactions between neurodivergent and neurotypical students for better recognition and understanding of neurodivergence to help create a more inclusive learning environment and support systems for these individuals. This project will promote acceptance and understanding of neurological differences that are not necessarily deficits, and that may present as strengths using these different ways of learning.

Interested? Start the conversation here by contacting Dr Claudia M. Diaz

The role of malaria in physiological response to co-occurring diseases in Southeast Asia’s past and present

Primary Supervisor: Dr Melandri Vlok
Location: Orange
Keywords: bioarchaeology, palaeoepidemiology, paleopathology, infectious disease, pathophysiology, immune response

Project availability: Semester 30, 2026, Semester 60, 2026, Semester 30, 2027

Synopsis:

This project aims to review archaeological and modern data sets to explore interactions between malaria and other tropically significant infectious diseases. The research will focus on reconstructing epidemiological patterns in the present and the past, as well as physiological explanations for differential disease severity of malaria and co-occurring infectious diseases.