From long‑distance transport to chemical preservatives, most cut flowers come with a hidden environmental cost – something a new Griffith University experiment aims to rethink.
Griffith researchers used atmospheric plasma to extend the life of cut flowers, building on existing work in agriculture, seed treatment and food preservation.
The team used three sets of flowers – roses, gerberas and dahlias – and separated them into five different test groups, ranging from no treatment to full treatment with atmospheric plasma, and monitored them over a two-week period.
Day one of the experiment to treat cut flowers – including gerberas, roses and dahlias – with atmospheric plasma. The team split the flowers into five groups, from no treatment to full treatment with plasma.
At the end of the experiment, the team found the plasma-treated flower bunches had largely maintained their colour and freshness.
“Our exploration to discover whether atmospheric plasma – a technology already used in medicine and agriculture – could extend the life of cut flowers without chemicals has shown positive results,” Dr Maksym Rybachuk said.
“Most cut flowers sold in Australia are imported and chemically treated, creating environmental and supply‑chain impacts; this research explores a cleaner, chemical-free alternative to traditional flower preservatives, offering a more sustainable approach.”
Dr Maksym Rybachuk
Plasma is an energised state of gas that can neutralise bacteria and pathogens without chemicals, already used in medicine and agriculture.
While plasma has been studied for wound treatment, seed germination and food preservation, this was one of the first applications focused on cut flowers.
“The flowers used in the experiment were sourced locally and untreated, and were then exposed to plasma, flower food, or plain water as controls,” Dr Garland said.
“We then monitored the changes daily, including weight loss, water uptake, colour and physical decline.
“It was wonderful to see the flower integrity of the plasma-treated bunches maintained at the end of the experiment.”
Following this initial success, the team is hopeful of expanding the project into native species, seeds and other delicate biological materials, and providing a chemical-free alternative for flower preservation for the floristry industry.
Virtual tourism is evolving alongside traditional travel, creating hybrid tourism experiences that combine physical and digital worlds. Researchers at the Griffith Institute for Tourism are exploring how this shift can support more sustainable, accessible and regenerative tourism models.
Professor James Higham
Leading this work is James Higham, Distinguished Professor and Climate Change Action Cluster Co-Leader, whose latest international research project investigates how immersive technologies can complement rather than replace travel.
“This opportunity is not substitution – it is integration,” Professor Higham said.
His research explores how virtual and in-person experiences can work together to create a “between worlds” tourism model that expands access to destinations while reducing pressure on fragile, remote and culturally sensitive environments.
Professor Higham is part of a five-year New Zealand research collaboration, He karapitipitinga mariko – immersive regenerative tourism experiences in Aotearoa, funded through the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour Programme. The project brings together Indigenous studies, computing and tourism researchers to explore how extended reality technologies can reshape the visitor economy.
One innovation emerging from this work is Tōka Whānau, a digital marae platform enabling Māori living overseas to stay connected with their communities when physical return is not possible.
Running from 2024 to 2028, the project aims to support a more resilient, low-carbon tourism industry grounded in local aspirations and regional identity. Researchers are working closely with tourism operators, communities and policy-makers to develop immersive experiences that reflect local cultural values and community priorities.
“Delivering traveller experiences between physical and virtual worlds requires more than technology – it requires collaboration grounded in place.”
Professor James Higham
Co-designed with place and community at the centre
PhD students Lisa Loehr and Briana Yue Liu removing invasive exotic gorse to encourage native regeneration (Dunedin) and the Kiwi conservation project (South Westland).
“At the heart of our research programme are partnerships,” Professor Higham said. “The project embeds local communities, tourism operators and destination managers, in partnership with world-leading researchers.”
The research comes at a time when the tourism sector is facing growing pressure to reduce emissions, meet sustainability expectations and respond to workforce shortages, while also creating opportunities for new low-impact tourism markets and more accessible visitor experiences.
Through a Living Labs approach, this project is embedding innovation in communities, where new experiences are co-designed with tourism operators, Indigenous knowledge holders, and policy-makers to explore the possibilities of immersive experiences.
“This ensures both physical and virtual expressions of place reflect local values, cultural protocols and community aspirations, not just technological capability.”
Professor James Higham
Meet James in person, at the upcoming Industry Showcase
Register now to hear from James and other world-leading tourism researchers from Griffith Institute for Tourism, at their upcoming Industry Showcase, “Better Tourism Brighter Futures” on Tuesday 26 May 2026 2:00-4:00pm, online or in-person, South Bank Campus, Brisbane.
If attending in person, stay on to enjoy industry networking from 4:00-5:00pm.
Further updates on the regenerative tourism experiences project can also be explored through Professor Higham’s fortnightly Checking In podcast, now in its third year, where he shares research-informed perspectives on sustainable tourism and global tourism transformation.
To read the full Tourism Research News article, visit the Griffith Institute for Tourism LinkedIn eNewsletter. Subscribe for free regular eNews updates, to stay informed.
A new study has unveiled a new method to cost-effectively and practically test for “forever chemicals” in water, potentially revolutionising environmental PFAS monitoring.
Led by Griffith University, the novel PFAS detection technique is a portable sensor designed to provide rapid, highly sensitive, and selective on-site testing, offering a practical alternative to laboratory-only analysis.
PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals widely used in products such as firefighting foams, water-resistant clothing, and non-stick cookware.
Dr Ming Zhou.
Known for being “highly persistent”, these chemicals do not break down in the environment and have been linked to serious health conditions, including certain cancers and thyroid diseases.
“Many countries, including Australia, have implemented guidelines for PFAS levels in drinking water,” lead author Dr Ming Zhou said, from Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute.
“And there are many ongoing global campaigns for environmental surveillance due to their unbreakable nature and links to numerous health issues.”
Current PFAS testing relied heavily on laboratory-based liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a process that requires complicated sample pretreatment, expensive laboratory equipment, and highly trained technicians, creating a major constraint for routine monitoring and environmental surveillance.
At a cost of exceeding $200 per sample, current methods were often inaccessible for regional areas and developing nations, such as the Pacific Islands.
“This triggered our pursuit for an on-site, low-cost, fast-detection technology,” Dr Zhou said.
“If we view the traditional lab test as the ‘PCR test’ of water monitoring, our technology is closer to a rapid test kit, while still providing quantitative results.”
“I was very excited to see the excellent response of our sensor to a specific PFAS,” said Lipeng (Jason) Gan, the PhD candidate who worked with Dr Zhou on this project.
“This result shows the potential of the technology to enable fast, selective, and on-site PFAS detection, helping make high-quality PFAS monitoring more affordable and accessible.”
Improving cognitive health and managing everyday memory challenges is at the forefront of a course Griffith University is running to help older Australians reverse the impact of ageing and health issues.
Griffith’s Psychology Clinic is running a six-week course called the LaTCH Memory Management Group Program which offers practical skills training and strategies for older adults with memory concerns.
LaTCH was developed by a team of researchers from La Trobe University and Caulfield Hospital to reduce the risk of older Australians developing dementia later in life and to assist middle to older adults who were often concerned about age-related memory changes.
Associate Professor Kerryn Pike
Associate Professor Kerryn Pike from the School of Applied Psychology said attendees participate two hours per week over a six-week period and will learn about memory and memory loss, and how to improve everyday memory.
“LaTCH focuses on strategies to assist common everyday memory issues such as name recall, remembering tasks, and remembering where you have put things or not losing them to begin with,” Associate Professor Pike said.
“By the end of the sessions, we find people feel more confident with their memory, which often leads to more confidence in engaging in different everyday activities.”
One of the methods, spaced retrieval, involved repeating things over increasingly longer intervals.
Active retrieval and spacing of repetition was key with the exercise.
Participants recited a list of words or a name and then repeated it after a specific amount of time, and then stretched out that time to test memory capability.
Group members receive handouts during the session to reinforce learning and are asked to complete weekly assignments to assist in applying memory strategies to everyday memory lapses.
Topics included:
How memory works
Factors that can impact on memory performance, including health concerns and ageing
Different strategies for different tasks including remembering names, things to do, appointments, keeping track of belongings
Positive lifestyle choices for brain health and ageing well
What to do if you have concerns
Associate Professor Pike said LaTCH had been running for 20 years.
Results from several research studies demonstrate that LaTCH is effective in improving everyday memory ability, knowledge and use of memory strategies in daily life, and how people feel about their memory.
“Most people who attend LaTCH find the program effective and saw a marked improvement in how they manage their memory in daily life,” she said.
For more information on the LaTCH program, click here.
Griffith University is doubling down on its commitment to those who served and stepping up its support for current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families through the establishment of the Griffith Veterans College.
Launched in early May, the College builds on the success of the Griffith University Veterans Program, which has supported more than 1,400 participants since its establishment in October 2023. These students have consistently achieved academic results above the broader student population
Led by Director and former Air Commodore Dave Paddison AM, the College brings together admissions, academic success, wellbeing, and career development into a single coordinated home for veteran students and is a first-of-its-kind model in the Australian higher education sector.
Griffith Veterans College Director Dave Paddison AM
“Veterans bring extraordinary skills, discipline and life experience to our campuses, and they deserve a higher education experience that recognises that from day one,” Mr Paddison said.
“The opening of the Veterans College is the natural next step in Griffith’s commitment to this community. It gives our veterans and their families a clear front door to the University, staffed by people who understand military service, who can translate that service into academic and career pathways, and who walk with them during their studies.”
At the heart of the College is support available to the students, including the Griffith’s Veteran Direct Application pathway, allowing current and former ADF members to apply fee-free whilst converting military service into an academic selection rank and credit toward their degree.
The College also expands opportunities in research and partnerships, strengthening the University’s contribution to improving outcomes for veterans and their families. Through multidisciplinary research and collaboration with external stakeholders across government, industry, and ex-services organisations, the College helps translate evidence into practice and foster coordinated, evidence-informed support.
Students enrolled through the Veterans College have access to:
Credit Pathways that recognise service by translating military training and experience into accelerated degrees
Career support throughout their studies, helping them translate military experience into meaningful career pathways both within Defence and civilian opportunities afterwards.
Academic support tailored to individual needs, including learning assistance, writing skills development, and assessment guidance.
Scholarships specifically available for veterans to ease financial barriers and support their academic journey.
Accessibility and disability support services, with customised assistance based on individual requirements.
Mental health and wellbeing support to ensure a smooth transition into academic life and back into the workforce through ongoing care and guidance.
“What makes this model work is that it is integrated and continuous,” Mr Paddison said.
“A veteran transitioning out of service is often navigating a career change, a health journey, a family adjustment and a return to study all at once. We don’t hand them off between disconnected services. The Veterans College is one team, supporting one veteran, across the whole journey.”
The opening of the Veterans College responds directly to Recommendation 83 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which calls for Defence training and experience to be translated into recognised academic and employment pathways.
Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said the veteran cohort has notably higher representation across equity groups than the general student population yet consistently outperforms academically when given the right support.
“Around three per cent of Australians have served in the military, and they are significantly under-represented in higher education.
“Behind every statistic is someone who served their country and now wants to build the next chapter of their life. The Veterans College is here to help them achieve that goal,” Professor Evans said.
The impact of Griffith’s veteran support is reflected in the experiences of those who’ve come through it.
Bachelor of Design student and former ADF member Tim B said the program had reshaped his trajectory after leaving the military with injuries.
“Landing upon the Griffith Veterans Program has been a life changer. Now I can pursue a career with linear fundamentals and world-class teachers, and network and build a portfolio.
This is the biggest opportunity I’ve received since leaving the Military nine years ago.”
About Griffith Veterans College
The Griffith Veterans College is an institution-wide initiative supporting current and former ADF members and their families across the full student lifecycle from admission through to graduation and career transition. It is led by Director AIRCDRE (Retd) Dave Paddison AM and aligns with Griffith University’s broader equity and access strategy under Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans.
A Griffith University research project aimed at developing future therapies for people living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) will receive $5.5 million in funding from the Queensland Government.
The Cure TBI project team will use the funding to create a range of cell-based therapeutic products for treating TBI by using current, proven successful therapies that have been developed for spinal cord injury.
Professor James St John
Professor James St John, Head of the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research within Griffith’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, said cells were like living drugs with many different roles depending on what was happening around them, and could act to treat injuries at different stages.
“The research team will identify cell products that act at different stages to target these various needs,” Professor St John said.
A TBI could occur from a fall, vehicle or bike accident, assault, or a sport collision and could affect the human body in two stages: the primary injury could result in direct damage to the brain cells, and secondary degeneration which is caused by physiological responses to the primary injury.
During the secondary degeneration stage of TBI, the injury could worsen as the dead or injured cells released molecules which could cause further damage, and while healthy cells responded to try and repair the injury they could over-react and cause inflammation and ongoing damage.
This often results in an imbalance of damage versus repair and the outcome could lead to a permanent loss of function.
Professor St John’s previous work on the Spinal Injury Project trial was the inspiration for the Cure TBI project.
“We are pivoting our spinal cord therapy research to apply it to TBI where we will use our current cell therapy plus modifications designed specifically for brain injuries,” he said.
“We hope our translational and clinical trial experience with the Spinal Injury Project will create a therapy for treating brain injuries and ultimately advance to a clinical trial.”
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said: “This investment by the National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland in the Cure TBI project aims to change lives, improve recovery, and deliver better long-term prospects for people who have suffered a brain injury.”
“To have such a vital project being spearheaded by Queenslanders speaks volumes and builds on our State’s reputation as a leader in the scientific and medical research community.”
Riskier anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use has been linked to poorer mental health symptoms, new Griffith University research has found.
PhD Candidate Ben Bonenti from Griffith’s School of Applied Psychology examined the mental health and psychological factors associated with higher AAS-related risk amongst people attending alcohol and other drug treatment services.
“The research is important because AAS use, which is increasing globally, is often secondary to other substances and may go unrecognised within standard treatment models,” Mr Bonenti said.
“The study examined how depression, anxiety, and impulsivity were associated with different levels of AAS-related risk.”
The results showed that individuals in the moderate- and high-risk groups reported significantly higher depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as stronger impulsivity traits.
The research analysed service data from nearly 19,000 adults collected between 2022 and 2025.
Of those, 521 individuals reported AAS use.
Most participants did not present primarily for steroid use, with methamphetamine and alcohol more commonly identified as the main drugs of concern.
Mr Bonenti said the findings suggest AAS-related risk in treatment settings is closely linked to poorer mental health and impulsivity.
“Many individuals who use AAS may not realise that higher-risk patterns of use can co-occur with depression, anxiety, and impulsive tendencies, which means important support needs may be overlooked,” he said.
“Routine screening for steroid use, alongside mental health assessment, may help services identify risk earlier and provide more tailored care.”
The paper ‘Mental health correlates of risky anabolic-androgenic steroid use in Australian alcohol and other drug treatment services’ has been published in Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
Griffith University and Swimming Australia have entered a bold new partnership to ensure the Gold Coast’s Para athletes have access to the world’s best training environment in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.
The tailored three-year program supports and elevates para athletes and aims to reduce barriers for participation and talent identification and enhance performance pathways for para athletes.
Griffith University’s inaugural squad includes Paralympic medallist and Commonwealth Games hopeful Maddie McTernan, and Paralympian Holly Warn.
Head Coach Rick Pendleton.
Head coach Rick Pendleton thanked the bold vision and support of Griffith University and Swimming Australia to help ensure para athletes reached their full potential.
“Griffith University has established itself as a leader in elite sport and inclusiveness. And in partnership with Swimming Australia, I am proud to stand on pool deck as head coach of the Gold Coast’s first Para specific program,” Mr Pendleton said.
“This squad – Griffith’s first – have access to a world-class training environment. We are well on the green and gold runway to 2032 Games but this high-performance hub is also about dual-career support for our swimmers who are students.
“So while I am proud to say this partnership will contribute directly to Australia’s para medal success, I am equally proud to say it will also contribute to an inclusive, values-led culture.”
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy
General Manager Paralympic ProgramAnna Johnson added: “Our ambitious vision is to become the world’s leading Paralympic swimming nation in the world, uniting communities, and inspiring Australia to swim.”
“I am grateful to Griffith University for their commitment to supporting our talented athletes – and coaches – in High Performance Para-swimming.”
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM said: “Griffith is thrilled to be supporting the Para Performance Program at the High Performance Hub on our Gold Coast campus, where we now host both Paralympic and Olympic HP squads within the Griffith Swim Club.”
“Athletes will train at the aquatic centre and new HP gym, while we work with Swimming Australia on research into the para daily performance environment with Griffith students gaining valuable hands-on experience supporting these athletes.”
Two Griffith Business School students have been named recipients of the Student Investment Fund Scholarship, an award unlike any other, funded not by a corporate donor or government grant, but by the investment returns generated by students themselves.
The scholarship, open to undergraduate Griffith Business School students, is funded entirely through the SIF, Australia’s largest ESG-focused, student-managed investment fund. Launched in 2018 with $250,000 in seed capital from Griffith Business School and bolstered by more than $100,000 in donor contributions, the fund has now exceeded $600,000 in value and has delivered an average return of 7% per cent per annum. All profits flow directly back into student scholarships.
It is a model that Associate Professor John Fan, from the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics and Director of the SIF program, describes as genuinely circular.
“The SIF Scholarship sits at the heart of what we’re trying to build with the fund,” he said. “It is a model where strong investment performance is directly reinvested into creating opportunity. It goes beyond financial support by recognising talent, backing potential and hard work, and giving students who may not otherwise have the same access a genuine pathway to excel.”
“What makes this particularly meaningful is that the scholarships are student-powered, generated through the work of our SIF students themselves. It brings the whole model full circle, where student effort translates directly into opportunity for others.”
Associate Professor John Fan
For Julia Chambers, the scholarship carries a significance that goes well beyond the financial.
Julia Chambers
A regional student balancing study, work and the challenges of life outside a major city, Julia has navigated her university journey against a backdrop that includes the disruption of flooding in her community.
“The Griffith Business School Student Investment Fund Scholarship means more than just financial support to me,” Julia said. “It is also a recognition of the resilience and commitment that have shaped my university journey as a regional student.”
“Balancing study, life, and casual work while navigating challenges like the recent flooding in my community has not always been easy, however, this award gives me the stability and confidence to keep moving forward.”
For Aditya Singh, the scholarship arrives at a pivotal point in his professional development. Alongside his studies, Aditya has been actively building his profile in finance through leadership roles, case competitions and industry engagement.
Aditya Singh
“I’m very grateful to have been awarded the Scholarship,” Aditya said. “To me, it is both meaningful recognition and practical support at an important stage of my development.”
“Receiving this scholarship is encouraging and gives me greater capacity to keep pushing forward. It will help me continue making the most of the opportunities available at Griffith while building the skills and experience needed to contribute meaningfully to in the industry.”
The Student Investment Fund is far more than a source of scholarship revenue. Students analyse, evaluate and invest real capital in socially responsible ASX-listed companies, using live market data in Griffith’s Trading Room. The fund’s investment decisions are guided by a committee of industry professionals and expert staff who mentor students throughout the program.
Since its launch, the SIF has trained more than 300 student analysts and awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships.
Domestic and family violence (DFV) has been declared a national emergency in Australia, with impacts that extend beyond individual harm to broader patterns of structural violence. Yet, despite growing awareness, the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people are often overlooked in mainstream conversations and service responses.
On 28 May, LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day will bring renewed attention to these gaps, highlighting the unique and systemic barriers faced by queer victim-survivors when seeking support.
In support of this cause and the diverse community at Griffith, the Griffith Pride Committee and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) will co-host a morning tea aimed at fostering awareness, allyship, and community support.
The event, to be held at the Sir Samuel Griffith function space from 11:00am to 12:00pm, is open to the Griffith community and will provide a space to acknowledge a form of harm that remains significantly under-recognised.
Research consistently shows that LGBTQIA+ people (an umbrella term encompassing diverse sexualities, gender identities and sex characteristics) experience DFV at rates equal to or higher than the general population. However, they are less likely to seek help or receive appropriate support. Contributing factors include fear of discrimination, limited access to inclusive and affirming services, and persistent misconceptions that DFV only occurs within heterosexual relationships.
CEVAW’s work continues to address these challenges through an intersectional approach, aiming to better understand and ultimately eliminate gender-based violence in all its forms.
Light refreshments will be provided. Registrations are required – please register here.
