
Overview
Background
Dr Elham (Ellie) Assadi Soumeh is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Science and Production at the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Queensland. She holds a BSc in Animal Science, an MSc in Animal Nutrition, and a PhD in Animal Nutrition and Physiology, with a focus on monogastric species, particularly poultry and swine.
Dr Soumeh completed her PhD at Aarhus University in Denmark, where her research focused on the requirements and metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in weaned pigs and the metabolic profiling of high-performing pigs fed optimal BCAA levels. Following her PhD, she worked as a Senior Scientist at Cargill BV in the Netherlands, leading customer-focused research in monogastric nutrition. Her work there spanned nutrient metabolism, gut health, and nutritional strategies aimed at improving production efficiency.
Her current research explores the role of nutrition in modulating gut microbiota composition and function, and how these microbial shifts influence host metabolism, health, and productivity. She is particularly interested in the interplay between dietary components, gut microbial ecology, and the physiological responses of monogastric animals.
Dr Soumeh's work addresses practical and emerging challenges in animal nutrition, with an emphasis on sustainable feeding practices and precision nutrition. Her research findings have been widely published in high-impact scientific journals and presented at leading international conferences and symposiums.
Availability
- Dr Elham Assadi Soumeh is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor, University of Tabriz
- Masters (Coursework), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy, Aarhus University
Research interests
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Nutrition-Microbiota-Host Axis
Investigating the role of diet in shaping gut microbiota composition and function, and its subsequent impact on host metabolism, immunity, and overall health.
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Sustainable and Functional Feed Ingredients
Evaluation of alternative and novel feed ingredients (e.g. insect-based proteins) to improve sustainability and maintain or enhance nutrient digestibility and animal performance.
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Gut Health and Nutritional Physiology
Nutritional strategies to support gastrointestinal integrity, nutrient absorption, and systemic metabolic responses in monogastric animals.
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Amino Acids requirements, metabolism, and nutrition
Amino acids requirements, metabolism, and precision feeding strategies for poultry and swine to optimize growth, health, and production efficiency.
Research impacts
Industry Engagement and Current Collaborative Research:
Alternative ingredients to replace soybean meal in poultry feed Metex Noovistago & UQ:
- Local alternative protein-rich ingredients to replace soybean meal fully or partially in chicken feed
Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a protein feed ingredient in broiler chicken nutrition
- Amino acids ileal digestibility, AMEn, fat digestibility and nutritive value of Full-fat BSFL produced from food waste streams for meat chickens
Industry funded project by Ajinomoto Animal Nutrition Europe SAS:
- Amino acids interventions to reduce the consequences of heat stress in broiler chicken
Industry funded project by Bioproton Pty Ltd:
- Effects of new bacillus strain probiotics and natural biosurfactants on broiler chickens production
- The efficiency of probiotics with or without prebiotics in antibiotic-free poultry production system, mode of actions, and growth performance
- Effects of Multi-enzyme super-dosing on reduced-energy diets on broiler chicken growth performance and gut health
Works
Search Professor Elham Assadi Soumeh’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2025
Journal Article
Integrated faecal microbiota and blood metabolic changes following different dietary zinc oxide levels in weaned piglets
Soumeh, Elham Assadi, Nielsen, Tina Skau, Hedemann, Mette Skou and Curtasu, Mihai Victor (2025). Integrated faecal microbiota and blood metabolic changes following different dietary zinc oxide levels in weaned piglets. Scientific Reports, 15 (1) 18346, 18346. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-03103-7
2025
Journal Article
Assessment of Apparent Metabolizable Energy, and Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility of Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) in Broiler Chickens
Alafif, Mohammad S., Hoffman, Louwrens, Cozzolino, Daniel, Abdollahi, M. Reza, Roura, Eugeni, Nguyen, Ai Duc and Soumeh, Elham A. (2025). Assessment of Apparent Metabolizable Energy, and Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility of Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) in Broiler Chickens. Poultry Science, 104 (10) 105506, 105506. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105506
2025
Journal Article
Effect of the dietary ingredient composition and type of muscle on the classification of intact chicken muscles evaluated by near infrared spectroscopy
Soumeh, Elham Assadi, Hoffman, LC and Cozzolino, D (2025). Effect of the dietary ingredient composition and type of muscle on the classification of intact chicken muscles evaluated by near infrared spectroscopy. Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, 33 (1-2), 20-25. doi: 10.1177/09670335251329542
2025
Journal Article
16s rRNA analysis revealed that betaine reduces pathogenic bacteria in growing pullets raised in a tropical environment
Al-Wahid, Zainudin, Pradista, Luthfi Adya, Prastowo, Sigit, Soumeh, Elham Assadi and Ratriyanto, Adi (2025). 16s rRNA analysis revealed that betaine reduces pathogenic bacteria in growing pullets raised in a tropical environment. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1490 (1), 012036. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1490/1/012036
2024
Journal Article
Analysis of liver transcriptome data to identify the genes affecting lipid metabolism during the embryonic and hatching periods in ROSS breeder broilers
Mohammadinejad, Fatemeh, Mohammadabadi, Mohammadreza, Roudbari, Zahra, Siahkouhi, Saeideh Eskandarynasab, Babenko, Olena, Klopenko, Nataliia, Borshch, Oleksandr, Starostenko, Iryna, Kalashnyk, Oleksandr and Soumeh, Elham Assadi (2024). Analysis of liver transcriptome data to identify the genes affecting lipid metabolism during the embryonic and hatching periods in ROSS breeder broilers. Journal of Livestock Science and Technologies, 12 (2), 61-67. doi: 10.22103/jlst.2024.23814.1554
2024
Journal Article
Editorial: Nutritional impacts the health and physiology of the avian gastro-intestinal tract
Pierzchała-Koziec, Krystyna, Olukosi, Oluyinka, Selvaraj, Ramesh, Shanmugasundaram, Revithi, Assadi Soumeh, Elham and Scanes, Colin G. (2024). Editorial: Nutritional impacts the health and physiology of the avian gastro-intestinal tract. Frontiers in Physiology, 15 1470024, 1-3. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1470024
2024
Journal Article
Investigating the price volatility spillover effects in the poultry industry inputs market and the egg market in Iran: using the multivariate DCC-GARCH model
Javadi, Akram, Ghahremanzadeh, Mohammad and Soumeh, Elham Assadi (2024). Investigating the price volatility spillover effects in the poultry industry inputs market and the egg market in Iran: using the multivariate DCC-GARCH model. Agriculture and Food Security, 13 (1) 23, 1-10. doi: 10.1186/s40066-024-00472-6
2024
Journal Article
Implications of the storage conditions and production system on the physical properties of eggs: a multivariate data analysis study
Cozzolino, Daniel, Sanal, Pooja, Soumeh, Elham Assadi, Dekkers, Milou Helene, Anderson, Molly, Boisen, Sheree and Hoffman, Louwrens Christiaan (2024). Implications of the storage conditions and production system on the physical properties of eggs: a multivariate data analysis study. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 59 (5), 3235-3244. doi: 10.1111/ijfs.17069
2024
Journal Article
An investigation into the influence of fermented cottonseed meal on the productive performance, egg quality, and gut health in laying hens
Ashayerizadeh, A., Jazi, V., Rezvani, M.R., Mohebodini, H., Soumeh, E. A. and Abdollahi, M. R. (2024). An investigation into the influence of fermented cottonseed meal on the productive performance, egg quality, and gut health in laying hens. Poultry Science, 103 (5) 103574, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103574
2024
Conference Publication
Low and high feed efficiency grower-finisher pigs fed three different levels of dietary crude protein showed no immediate difference in blood metabolomics profile
van der Heide, Marleen Elise, Soumeh, Elham Assadi, Curtasu, Mihai, Nørgaard, Jan Værum and Madsen, Johannes Gulmann (2024). Low and high feed efficiency grower-finisher pigs fed three different levels of dietary crude protein showed no immediate difference in blood metabolomics profile. 2024 ASAS Midwest Section Meeting, Madison, WI United States, 10-13 March 2024. Champaign, IL United States: American Society of Animal Science. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae102.363
2024
Journal Article
Predicting egg storage time with a portable near-infrared instrument: effects of temperature and production system
Cozzolino, Daniel, Sanal, Pooja, Schreuder, Jana, Williams, Paul James, Assadi Soumeh, Elham, Dekkers, Milou Helene, Anderson, Molly, Boisen, Sheree and Hoffman, Louwrens Christiaan (2024). Predicting egg storage time with a portable near-infrared instrument: effects of temperature and production system. Foods, 13 (2) 212, 1-11. doi: 10.3390/foods13020212
2024
Journal Article
How low can you go? Broiler breast muscle possesses a mitochondrial content of just 2%
Soumeh, Elham A., Bottje, Walter G. and Hudson, Nicholas J. (2024). How low can you go? Broiler breast muscle possesses a mitochondrial content of just 2%. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica A: Animal Sciences, 73 (1-2), 22-27. doi: 10.1080/09064702.2023.2262470
2023
Conference Publication
39. Physiological responses related to acute heat stress decrease over time as lactating sows become acclimated to a hyperthermic environment
Coba, A., Müller, M., Navarro, M., Soumeh, E.A., Pluske, J.R., van Wettere, W.H.E.J., Cottrell, J.J., Dunshea, F.R., Gaughan, J.B. and Roura, E. (2023). 39. Physiological responses related to acute heat stress decrease over time as lactating sows become acclimated to a hyperthermic environment. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 13 - 16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.040
2023
Conference Publication
Blood metabolic profile of sows fed high and low fibre diets prior to farrowing
Soumeh, E.A., Nastasi, J., James, S.E., Staveley, L.M., Plush, K.J. and Nowland, T.L. (2023). Blood metabolic profile of sows fed high and low fibre diets prior to farrowing. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.036
2023
Conference Publication
34. Low crude protein diets improve heat stress indicators in lactating sows under cyclic hyperthermal temperatures
Coba, A., Müller, M., Navarro, M., Soumeh, E.A., Pluske, J.R., van Wettere, W.H.E.J., Cottrell, J.J., Dunshea, F.R., Gaughan, J.B. and Roura, E. (2023). 34. Low crude protein diets improve heat stress indicators in lactating sows under cyclic hyperthermal temperatures. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.035
2023
Journal Article
Effects of black pepper and turmeric powder on growth performance, gut health, meat quality, and fatty acid profile of Japanese quail
Ashayerizadeh, O., Dastar, B., Shams Shargh, M., A. Soumeh, E. and Jazi, V. (2023). Effects of black pepper and turmeric powder on growth performance, gut health, meat quality, and fatty acid profile of Japanese quail. Frontiers in Physiology, 14 1218850, 1-12. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1218850
2023
Journal Article
The optimum ratio of digestible leucine: lysine in wheat-based diets for female broiler chickens from 8 – 21 days of age
Amirdahri, S., Janmohammadi, H., Taghizadeh, A., Lambert, W., Oliayi, M. and Assadi Soumeh, E. (2023). The optimum ratio of digestible leucine: lysine in wheat-based diets for female broiler chickens from 8 – 21 days of age. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 32 (2) 100289, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.japr.2022.100289
2023
Journal Article
Elecampane rhizome extract alleviates methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male rats
Sharifi, Fatemeh, Jazi, Vahid and Assadi Soumeh, Elham (2023). Elecampane rhizome extract alleviates methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male rats. Advances in Traditional Medicine, 23 (4), 1255-1264. doi: 10.1007/s13596-023-00679-1
2022
Journal Article
Effects of protease supplementation on growth performance, organ development, gut morphology, and microbial profile of broiler chicken
Huyan, Lingjun, Kumar, Arun, Manafi, Milad and Soumeh, Elham A. (2022). Effects of protease supplementation on growth performance, organ development, gut morphology, and microbial profile of broiler chicken. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A — Animal Science, 71 (1-4), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/09064702.2022.2113121
2022
Conference Publication
Blood metabolic profile of pigs fed different dietary zinc levels after weaning
Soumeh, Elham A., Curtasu, Mihai, Nielsen, Tina S., Gorji, Sara G. and Hedemann, Mette S. (2022). Blood metabolic profile of pigs fed different dietary zinc levels after weaning. 15th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP2022), Rotterdam, Netherlands, 17–20 May 2022. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2022.04.028
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Elham Assadi Soumeh is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Nutritional strategies to reduce the consequences of coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis challenge on growth performance, gut functionality, and welfare of broiler chickens
An PhD projet is availabe to start in 2025. For further information please contact Dr Ellie Soumeh
e.soumeh@uq.edu.au
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Alternative protein ingredients to replace soybean meal for sustainable livestock production systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura, Professor Louw Hoffman
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Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae as a Protein Source in Broiler Diets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura, Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino, Professor Louw Hoffman
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Doctor Philosophy
Heat Tolerance (HT) in lactating sows: dietary strategies, metabolic biomarkers and microbiome signature
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan, Dr Marta Navarro, Professor Eugeni Roura
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Doctor Philosophy
Extrinsic and intrinsic factors that influence the meat quality of goat fresh meat and products.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Hudson, Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino, Professor Louw Hoffman
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Doctor Philosophy
Program 1 of the Agrifutures Consortium on Chicken Nutrition, Gut Health, and Environment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Marta Navarro, Dr Arun Kumar, Professor Chiara Palmieri, Professor Eugeni Roura
Media
Enquiries
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