Science translated into practical impact.
Explore Nucleus projects by area of work. Each concise record identifies the purpose, contribution and principal partners, with direct links to peer reviewed papers where available.
Organisations worked with
Research & water quality
Microbial ecology and field evidence supporting healthier waters, species and coastal ecosystems.
Juvenile hammerhead shark microbiome
Fourteen juvenile sharks were sampled using 16S sequencing to investigate microbial indicators following a sewage spill in an important nursery habitat.
Partners: University of the South Pacific and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics.
Recreational water quality guidelines
Eight months of monitoring across three locations and both tidal states combined scientific sampling with local fishing knowledge to support evidence based guidance.
Partners: USP, Fiji Government, MSc researcher Praneel Lal and local fishers.
Oyster reef restoration science
Microbial ecology, site assessment, water quality research and ecosystem service modelling supporting nature based oyster reef restoration.
Partners: Oyster Heaven, DTU Aqua, NIOZ and Deltares.
Environmental assessment
Independent field assessment and practical mitigation for coastal, freshwater and terrestrial environments.
Wastewater and coastal pollution assessment
Assessment of wastewater, livestock waste, coastal pollution and water resource protection, supported by site visits and government and community engagement.
Partners: French Embassy and Territorial Government of Wallis & Futuna.
Hydropower terrestrial ecology
Coordination of local taxonomic expertise across the Waivaka, Wainikoroiluva and Wainikovu catchments to establish biodiversity baselines, risks and mitigation recommendations.
Integrated urban water reuse & resilience
A preliminary diagnostic and scoping proposal connecting water reuse, irrigation, circularity, environmental health and climate resilience. Presented transparently as an initiative in development.
Capacity building & advisory
Practical training, quality systems and specialist advice designed to leave lasting local capability.
Laboratory quality assurance
EU funded ISO 17025 capacity building covering quality assurance, media, equipment, sampling and biosafety.
Partners: EDF, Fiji Government, SPC and USP.
Government molecular biology training
Hands on capability development for Fiji Ministry of Agriculture personnel in molecular biology, microbiology and pathogen detection.
Molecular diagnostics consortium proposal
Development of an EU supported consortium concept for diagnostics strengthening trade, agricultural biosecurity and food safety monitoring. The project was proposed but not implemented by Nucleus.
FMF food quality & safety advisory
Independent site and process assessments, hygiene recommendations and packaging advice to improve flour storage stability under local conditions.
Food safety, livelihoods & education
Applied science connecting safer food, stronger livelihoods, education and accessible knowledge.
IUCN Kai shellfish safety
Microbial safety protocols, E. coli and Salmonella monitoring, training and a pilot depuration system supporting safer rural shellfish livelihoods.
Partners: IUCN, French Embassy and USP.
Quality Foods, FS315
Course leadership in microbiological safety, GMP/HACCP, sensory evaluation and locally inspired product development, achieving a 100% pass rate.
BUKU digital library feasibility
Stakeholder engagement and feasibility work exploring improved academic digital library access across Pacific national universities and medical schools.