Seven ways science is changing lives - starting with mushrooms

A potential cancer-fighting compound made from mushrooms is just one of seven groundbreaking PhD projects tackling urgent issues across Australia — from eroding coastlines to rural healthcare gaps and smarter wind energy.

Seven PhD projects are addressing real-world problems from crumbling beaches to regional pharmacy shortages. Funded through the federal government’s National Industry PhD Program these projects are bringing together universities and industry to solve the issues affecting everyday Australians.

Saving our eroding beaches

Australia’s coastlines are under siege thanks to rising sea levels and extreme weather. Sandy beaches are being eroded, threatening homes, ecosystems and infrastructure.

To fight back, Flinders University PhD candidate Will Souter is designing smarter coastal protection systems that blend nature with engineering. Think vegetated dunes reinforced with rock seawalls — a hybrid approach that could help councils protect vulnerable beachfronts.

Working with Magryn engineering consultants and supervised by Professor Patrick Hesp, Souter’s project will run for five years and focus on problem sites across South Australia.

“This collaboration offers many mutual benefits for our industry partner Magryn and Flinders, including the exploration of innovative environmental solutions in field trials,” says Professor Hesp.

Fixing the pharmacy gap in country hospitals

If you’re in a regional SA hospital, chances are you don’t have access to a clinical pharmacist - and that can be a serious problem. Out of 61 hospitals serviced by SA Pharmacy, only 12 have on-site pharmacy care. That means many patients miss out on vital medication advice and oversight.

PhD candidate Anna Fletcher, a seasoned clinical pharmacist, is leading a study to fix this gap using telepharmacy - where pharmacists consult with patients remotely via phone or video.

Her project, backed by the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN), will evaluate whether telepharmacy can be a cost-effective way to improve health outcomes in regional areas.

MORE: Meet the PhD researchers making inspiring real-world change

How mushrooms could help fight cancer

Gastrointestinal cancers kill more than three million people globally each year - but a new Aussie-developed drug could change that. The compound, called HAS-B, is derived from Shiitake mushrooms using a “green” bio-refinery technique that’s both eco-friendly and cutting-edge.

Flinders University and the Southern Oncology Clinical Research Unit are teaming up to test HAS-B as a next-gen cancer therapy. The four-year project will bring together experts in oncology, biochemistry and molecular biology to explore its potential to fight cancer and boost immune response.

If successful, HAS-B could pave the way for more sustainable, natural cancer treatments.

Other impactful PhD projects:

• Helping Aussie crops survive tough conditions: Grain farmers are under pressure as environmental stressors like drought and heatwaves threaten crop yields. Supervised by Associate Professor Peter Anderson, and working with Sylvaco, this project is testing a new antioxidant treatment made from sustainable sources to help grain crops stay resilient and productive. 

• Protecting the mental health of first responders: Emergency workers face intense psychological strain, often with long-term consequences. Flinders researchers, in partnership with Military and Emergency Services Health Australia, are developing a new model to reduce mental harm and support the wellbeing of first responders across South Australia. 

• Revolutionising wind energy with smarter turbines: Traditional wind turbines can be noisy and inefficient - but a radical new design could change that. Flinders’ Advanced Wind Energy Technology group is teaming up with VAWT-X Energy Australia to optimise a new type of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine that promises better performance and quieter operation. 

• Creating clearer career paths for nurses: Many Australian nurses struggle with unclear career progression, leading to frustration and workforce retention issues. Supervised by Dr Hila Dafny this project, which will work with the Australian College of Nursing, is developing a Career Progression Framework to give nurses more certainty and support in their professional growth.

MORE: How this research is changing women’s lives

Professor Timothy Cavagnaro, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research Training and Capabilities) and the Dean of Graduate Research, says these innovative projects are a testament to Flinders’ dedication to make a difference with research that matters.

“We are proud of our continued success in securing these research grants since the program’s launch.” 

“With 17 awards since Round 1, we are honoured to again be recognised as one of the top awarded universities nationally and the leading institution in South Australia. 

“We look forward to witnessing the impact of these important, industry linked, research projects in the years to come.”