Associate Professor Louise Kuchel
Associate Professor

Louise Kuchel

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 51034
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32650

Background

My current research is all about finding ways to improve teaching and student learning, with a focus on biology and other sciences. This is a new and exciting direction for me to which I and my group are now dedicated. Of particular interest to me is finding ways to improve communication abilities of science students through the design, testing and implementation of effective curricula, class activities and assessment methods. Naturally, no learning occurs in isolation, so my current research also looks at learning scientific reasoning, information literacy, and how to improve the relevance and authenticity of practical/lab classes and assessment tasks.

Previously my research focussed on using physiological approaches and techniques to address questions in ecology, conservation and aquaculture, especially in vertebrates living in extreme environments (see references for examples). I continue to be involved in biological research through teaching, co-supervision and examination of postgraduate students.

My current projects aim to find effective ways to...

  • Improve abilities of first year biology students to work effectively in groups.
  • Improve science students’ communication abilities through the development and implementation of a new 3rd year course titled Communicating in Science.
  • Improve scientific reasoning and writing in first year biology students.
  • Improve tutor support and consequently student learning through implementation of a program of tailored tutor professional development.
  • Improve information literacy in first year biology students.
  • Motivate students to improve their biological knowledge and use of modern communication technologies by implementing authentic assignments throughout the curriculum e.g., websites, video, blogs.
  • Improve the ability of students to articulate the skills and knowledge they develop in undergraduate ecology research through the use of a skills portfolio.
  • Improve student practice and confidence in avoiding plagiarism and adhering to academic integrity.

Availability

Associate Professor Louise Kuchel is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Ecology Fisheries sciences Zoology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Western Australia
  • Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Postgraduate Diploma, The University of Queensland

Search Professor Louise Kuchel’s works on UQ eSpace

37 works between 1998 and 2023
All (37) Journal Article (21) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (7) Book (1) Other Outputs (2)

21 - 37 of 37 works

2013

Journal Article

Metabolic responses of the South American ornate horned frog (Ceratophrys ornata) to estivation

Groom, Derrick J. E., Kuchel, Louise and Richards, Jeffrey G. (2013). Metabolic responses of the South American ornate horned frog (Ceratophrys ornata) to estivation. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B-Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 164 (1), 2-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2012.08.001

Metabolic responses of the South American ornate horned frog (Ceratophrys ornata) to estivation

2011

Conference Publication

Is it worth taking time out of first year science courses to explicitly teach team skills?

Rasmussen, Amanda, Rossini, Renee and Kuchel, Louise (2011). Is it worth taking time out of first year science courses to explicitly teach team skills?. 34th HERDSA Annual International Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 4-7 July 2011. Milperra, NSW Australia: Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.

Is it worth taking time out of first year science courses to explicitly teach team skills?

2010

Journal Article

The effect of dietary fish oil and poultry fat replacement with canola oil on swimming performance and metabolic response to hypoxia in stream type spring Chinook salmon parr

Regan, Matthew D., Kuchel, Louise J., Huang, Susie S.Y., Higgs, David A., Wang, Joyce, Schulte, Patricia M. and Brauner, Colin J. (2010). The effect of dietary fish oil and poultry fat replacement with canola oil on swimming performance and metabolic response to hypoxia in stream type spring Chinook salmon parr. Aquaculture, 308 (3-4), 183-189. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2010.08.014

The effect of dietary fish oil and poultry fat replacement with canola oil on swimming performance and metabolic response to hypoxia in stream type spring Chinook salmon parr

2009

Journal Article

The cold shoulder: free-ranging snowshoe hares maintain a low cost of living in cold climates

Sheriff, Michael, J., Speakman, J.R., Kuchel, L., Boutin, S. and Humphries, M.M. (2009). The cold shoulder: free-ranging snowshoe hares maintain a low cost of living in cold climates. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 87 (10), 956-964. doi: 10.1139/Z09-087

The cold shoulder: free-ranging snowshoe hares maintain a low cost of living in cold climates

2009

Other Outputs

In Australia, green wine is good

Cokley, John D. and Kuchel, Louise (2009, 09 16). In Australia, green wine is good Global Post

In Australia, green wine is good

2009

Journal Article

Seasonal metabolic acclimatization in a northern population of free-ranging snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus

Sheriff, Michael, J., Kuchel, Louise, Boutin, Stan and Humphries, Murray M. (2009). Seasonal metabolic acclimatization in a northern population of free-ranging snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus. Journal of Mammalogy, 90 (3), 761-767. doi: 10.1644/08-MAMM-A-247R.1

Seasonal metabolic acclimatization in a northern population of free-ranging snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus

2009

Journal Article

Intrinsic mechanical properties of the perfused armoured catfish heart with special reference to the effects of hypercapnic acidosis on maximum cardiac performance

Hanson, Linda, M., Baker, Daniel, W., Kuchel, Louise, Farerell, Anthony P., Val, Adalberto L. and Brauner, Colin J. (2009). Intrinsic mechanical properties of the perfused armoured catfish heart with special reference to the effects of hypercapnic acidosis on maximum cardiac performance. Journal of Experimental Biology, 212 (9), 1270-1276. doi: 10.1242/jeb.022764

Intrinsic mechanical properties of the perfused armoured catfish heart with special reference to the effects of hypercapnic acidosis on maximum cardiac performance

2007

Conference Publication

Acid–base regulation during hypercapnia, exercise and anoxia in the armoured catfish, Liposarcus pardalis

Brauner, C. J., Baker, D., Hanson, L., Kuchel, L., Jackson, D., Farrell, A. P. and Val, V. L. (2007). Acid–base regulation during hypercapnia, exercise and anoxia in the armoured catfish, Liposarcus pardalis. Seventh International Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, August 12–16, 2007. New York: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2007.06.102

Acid–base regulation during hypercapnia, exercise and anoxia in the armoured catfish, Liposarcus pardalis

2006

Conference Publication

Effects of dietary lipid substitution on swimming performance during the early developmental stages of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Regan, M., Kuchel, L., Rummer, J., Machala, A., Grant, A., Schulte, P., Brauner, C., Balfry, S., Higgs, D. and Devlin, R. H. (2006). Effects of dietary lipid substitution on swimming performance during the early developmental stages of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Annual Main Meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, 2-7 April, 2006. New York: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.01.039

Effects of dietary lipid substitution on swimming performance during the early developmental stages of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

2006

Journal Article

Routine and Active Metabolic Rates of Migrating Adult Wild Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka Walbaum) in Seawater and Freshwater

Wagner, G. N., Kuchel, L. J., Lotto, A., Patterson, D. A., Shrimpton, J. M., Hinch, S. G. and Farrell, A. P. (2006). Routine and Active Metabolic Rates of Migrating Adult Wild Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka Walbaum) in Seawater and Freshwater. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 79 (1), 100-108. doi: 10.1086/498186

Routine and Active Metabolic Rates of Migrating Adult Wild Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka Walbaum) in Seawater and Freshwater

2005

Journal Article

Metabolic rates and swimming performance of adult Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) after a controlled infection with Parvicapsula minibicornis

Wagner, G. N., Hinch, S. G., Kuchel, L. J., Lotto, A., Jones, S. R. M., Patterson, D. A., Macdonald, J. S., Van der Kraak, G., Shrimpton, M., English, K. K., Larsson, S., Cooke, S. J., Healy, M. C. and Farrell, A. P. (2005). Metabolic rates and swimming performance of adult Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) after a controlled infection with Parvicapsula minibicornis. Canadian Journal of Fisheries And Aquatic Sciences, 62 (9), 2124-2133. doi: 10.1139/F05-126

Metabolic rates and swimming performance of adult Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) after a controlled infection with Parvicapsula minibicornis

2004

Journal Article

Biotelemetry: a mechanistic approach to ecology

Cooke, S. J., Hinch, S. G., Wikelski, M., Andrews, R. D., Kuchel, L. J., Wolcott, T. G. and Butler, P. J. (2004). Biotelemetry: a mechanistic approach to ecology. Trends In Ecology & Evolution, 19 (6), 334-343. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2004.04.003

Biotelemetry: a mechanistic approach to ecology

2003

Other Outputs

The energetics and patterns of torpor in free ranging Tachygiossus aculeatus from a warm-temperate climate

Kuchel, Louise J. (2003). The energetics and patterns of torpor in free ranging Tachygiossus aculeatus from a warm-temperate climate. PhD Thesis, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/106239

The energetics and patterns of torpor in free ranging Tachygiossus aculeatus from a warm-temperate climate

2002

Journal Article

Turning up the heat on subzero fish: thermal dependence of sustained swimming in an Antarctic notothenioid

Wilson, R. S., Kuchel, L. J., Franklin, C. E. and Davison, W. (2002). Turning up the heat on subzero fish: thermal dependence of sustained swimming in an Antarctic notothenioid. Journal of Thermal Biology, 27 (5), 381-386. doi: 10.1016/S0306-4565(02)00006-2

Turning up the heat on subzero fish: thermal dependence of sustained swimming in an Antarctic notothenioid

2001

Conference Publication

Osmoregulatory plasticity in a crocodile: The physiological and morphological responses of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, acclimated to fresh and salt water

Kuchel, L. and Franklin, C. E. (2001). Osmoregulatory plasticity in a crocodile: The physiological and morphological responses of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, acclimated to fresh and salt water. Crocodilian Biology and Evolution, The University of Queensland, 8-10 July, 1998. Chipping North, NSW Australia: Surrey Beatty and Sons.

Osmoregulatory plasticity in a crocodile: The physiological and morphological responses of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, acclimated to fresh and salt water

2000

Journal Article

Morphology of the cloaca in the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, and its plastic response to salinity

Kuchel, L. J. and Franklin, C. E. (2000). Morphology of the cloaca in the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, and its plastic response to salinity. Journal of Morphology, 245 (2), 168-176. doi: 10.1002/1097-4687(200008)245:23.0.CO;2-1

Morphology of the cloaca in the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, and its plastic response to salinity

1998

Journal Article

Kidney and cloaca function in the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) at different salinities: Evidence for solute-linked water uptake

Kuchel, LJ and Franklin, CE (1998). Kidney and cloaca function in the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) at different salinities: Evidence for solute-linked water uptake. Comparative Biochemistry And Physiology A-molecular And Integrative Physiology, 119 (3), 825-831. doi: 10.1016/S1095-6433(98)01022-8

Kidney and cloaca function in the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) at different salinities: Evidence for solute-linked water uptake

Past funding

  • 2015 - 2016
    CLIPS: Communication learning in practice for scientists
    Technology-Enhanced Learning Grants
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Community engagement by first year biology students in assessing local biodiversity
    UQ Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Embedding scientific reasoning in the first year science curriculum through authentic tasks: development of an effective model for implementation
    UQ New Staff Start-up Grants (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning)
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Louise Kuchel is:
Available for supervision

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Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Louise Kuchel directly for media enquiries about:

  • Authentic assessment
  • Biology education
  • Communicating Science
  • Environmental education
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
  • Science communication

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