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Professor Alan Tilbrook
Professor

Alan Tilbrook

Email: 

Overview

Background

Professor Alan Tilbrook is nationally and internationally recognised for leading scientific research in animal science and biomedical science (endocrinology, neuroendocrinology, behaviour, stress, and reproduction). He is a global leader in animal welfare science. Professor Tilbrook has an outstanding balanced portfolio in leadership, strategic planning, research, academia, education and government. He is Professor of Animal Welfare in the School of Veterinary Science and has an affiliate appointment in the Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation at The University of Queensland. Professor Tilbrook is one of three expert members of a Strategy Advisory Group to provide expert strategic advice to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to assist the development of the renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy. He is Chair and Research Champion of the National Primary Industries Animal Welfare Research, Development and Extension Strategy, represents Universities Australia on the Board of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching, represents The University of Queensland on the World Organisation for Animal Health and is a member of the Australian Government’s Live Export Animal Welfare Advisory Group. Professor Tilbrook established The Animal Welfare Collaborative, a university-facilitated network of individuals, companies, and organisations working together to make evidence-based improvements in animal welfare. This was a collaborative venture with The University of Newcastle, The University of Western Australia and The University of Adelaide. He was a founder, Deputy Director and Co-Director of the Animal Welfare Science Centre, was the Research Chief of Livestock and Farming Systems at the South Australian Research and Development Institute and was Deputy Head of the Department of Physiology at Monash University. He has held numerous national and local leadership roles. Professor Tilbrook's research is conceptually driven with a multidisciplinary and integrative approach. He has developed cutting edge research programs across a range of species including sheep, pigs, poultry, cattle, goats, rodents, horses, buffalo and humans. Professor Tilbrook places a huge emphasis on collaboration, training and professional development.

Availability

Professor Alan Tilbrook is:
Not available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia

Research interests

  • Identification of Biomarkers to Assess Animal Welfare

    We are seeking to identify biological markers (biomarkers) of animal experiences. The brain processes the experiences of animals. These experiences determine the state of welfare of an animal at any given time. We aim to take peripheral measures of biomarkers that are indicative of brain processing of experiences.

  • Importance of human and maternal contact on stress resilience in pigs

    We are investigating the impact of human and maternal contact in early life on stress resilience in pigs later in life. The research considers the importance of this early human and maternal contact in affecting welfare, growth and meat quality of pigs.

  • Elimination of the need for tail removal in pigs

    This large-scale research investigates the reasons for tail biting in pigs with the view to developing strategies to eliminate tail biting without the need to remove tails from piglets. The research has both experimental and epidemiological components.

  • Interpreting the welfare of animals exported live by ship

    This is project is called “Interpreting Animal Welfare", and is collaborative research led by The University of Western Australia. The project seeks to create an integrated framework capable of assessing, interpreting and aggregating intricate animal welfare data collected during export voyages to give an overall evaluation of animal welfare status.

  • Effects of floor space on the welfare of pigs

    It is known that restricting space in breeding female pigs can lead to aggression, injuries and sustained physiological stress. Sustained stress in pigs can compromise the health, efficiency of growth and meat quality. The effects of space allowance on the welfare, growth and productivity of finisher pigs have not been well researched. The focus of this research is to determine the effects of different amounts of floor space on the welfare, growth and production parameters of finisher pigs.

  • Health and welfare of free-range buffalo in the northern Australia

    This project is focussed on understanding and improving the health and welfare of harvested buffalo throughout the supply chain. The research is on free-range buffalo from Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. The work is highly collaborative, multidisciplinary and multi-faceted.

Research impacts

Our research on biomarkers of animal welfare is world leading and novel. We have identified biological markers of brain function in animals which will inform how the brain processes experiences and thereby animal welfare. While this research is emerging and is still in the discovery phase, the objective is for the non-invasive measurement of these biomarkers to be applied in the livestock industries.

We have demonstrated the impact of human and maternal contact in early life on stress resilience in pigs later in life, affecting welfare, growth and meat quality. This presents the opportunity to develop strategies to maximise positive human contact and improve maternal contact in the pork industry.

We also pioneered research to measure steroids in the wool of sheep that has resulted in publications and on-farm assessment of stress, wool quality and epigenetic influences on parameters of stress and reproduction in sheep.

Works

Search Professor Alan Tilbrook’s works on UQ eSpace

211 works between 1986 and 2025

1 - 20 of 211 works

2025

Journal Article

Effects of maternal contact and positive human contact during lactation on pork quality: Positive human contact to piglets during lactation improves pork loin muscle pH

Tomas, Katelyn, Savaglia, Jemma, Hewitt, Robert J.E., Plush, Kate J., D'Souza, Darryl N., Butler, Kym L., Hemsworth, Paul H. and Tilbrook, Alan J. (2025). Effects of maternal contact and positive human contact during lactation on pork quality: Positive human contact to piglets during lactation improves pork loin muscle pH. Meat Science, 219 109650, 109650. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2024.109650

Effects of maternal contact and positive human contact during lactation on pork quality: Positive human contact to piglets during lactation improves pork loin muscle pH

2024

Journal Article

Near or mid-infra-red spectroscopy of the prefrontal cortex to identify previous stressful experience in an animal

Blache, Dominique, Kho, Elise A., Tilbrook, Alan J., Tomas, Katelyn, Plush, Kate, D'Souza, Darryl, Maloney, Shane K. and Cozzolino, Daniel (2024). Near or mid-infra-red spectroscopy of the prefrontal cortex to identify previous stressful experience in an animal. Scientific Reports, 14 (1) 27594. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-79171-y

Near or mid-infra-red spectroscopy of the prefrontal cortex to identify previous stressful experience in an animal

2024

Journal Article

Maternal contact and positive human interactions during lactation impact on pig stress resilience post-weaning

Tomas, Katelyn, Savaglia, Jemma, Plush, Kate J., D’Souza, Darryl N., Butler, Kym L., Hemsworth, Paul H. and Tilbrook, Alan J. (2024). Maternal contact and positive human interactions during lactation impact on pig stress resilience post-weaning. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 276 106326, 106326. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106326

Maternal contact and positive human interactions during lactation impact on pig stress resilience post-weaning

2024

Journal Article

Early human contact and housing for pigs - Part 1: Responses to humans, novelty and isolation

Lucas, M.E., Hemsworth, L.M., Butler, K.L., Morrison, R.S., Tilbrook, A.J., Marchant, J.N., Rault, J.-L., Galea, R.Y. and Hemsworth, P.H. (2024). Early human contact and housing for pigs - Part 1: Responses to humans, novelty and isolation. animal, 18 (6) 101164, 101164. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101164

Early human contact and housing for pigs - Part 1: Responses to humans, novelty and isolation

2024

Journal Article

Early human contact and housing for pigs - Part 2: resilience to routine husbandry practices

Lucas, M. E., Hemsworth, L. M., Butler, K. L., Morrison, R. S., Tilbrook, A. J., Marchant, J. N., Rault, J.-L., Galea, R. Y. and Hemsworth, P. H. (2024). Early human contact and housing for pigs - Part 2: resilience to routine husbandry practices. animal, 18 (6) 101165, 101165. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101165

Early human contact and housing for pigs - Part 2: resilience to routine husbandry practices

2024

Journal Article

Early human contact and housing for pigs - Part 3: Ability to cope with the environment

Lucas, M. E., Hemsworth, L.M., Butler, K. L., Morrison, R. S., Tilbrook, A. J., Marchant, J. N., Rault, J.-L., Galea, R. Y. and Hemsworth, P. H. (2024). Early human contact and housing for pigs - Part 3: Ability to cope with the environment. animal, 18 (6) 101166, 101166-6. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101166

Early human contact and housing for pigs - Part 3: Ability to cope with the environment

2024

Journal Article

Finding biomarkers of experience in animals

Babington, Sarah, Tilbrook, Alan J., Maloney, Shane K., Fernandes, Jill N., Crowley, Tamsyn M., Ding, Luoyang, Fox, Archa H., Zhang, Song, Kho, Elise A., Cozzolino, Daniel, Mahony, Timothy J. and Blache, Dominique (2024). Finding biomarkers of experience in animals. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 15 (1) 28, 1-20. doi: 10.1186/s40104-023-00989-z

Finding biomarkers of experience in animals

2024

Journal Article

Excess dietary Lys reduces feed intake, stimulates jejunal CCK secretion and alters essential and non-essential blood AA profile in pigs

Müller, Maximiliano, Van Liefferinge, Elout, Tilbrook, Alan, van Barneveld, Robert and Roura, Eugeni (2024). Excess dietary Lys reduces feed intake, stimulates jejunal CCK secretion and alters essential and non-essential blood AA profile in pigs. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 15 (1) 24, 24. doi: 10.1186/s40104-023-00971-9

Excess dietary Lys reduces feed intake, stimulates jejunal CCK secretion and alters essential and non-essential blood AA profile in pigs

2024

Journal Article

Maternal contact and positive human interactions during lactation impacts piglet performance and behaviour during lactation

Tomas, Katelyn, Savaglia, Jemma, Plush, Kate J., D’Souza, Darryl N., Butler, Kym L., Hemsworth, Paul H. and Tilbrook, Alan J. (2024). Maternal contact and positive human interactions during lactation impacts piglet performance and behaviour during lactation. Frontiers in Animal Science, 4 1289518. doi: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1289518

Maternal contact and positive human interactions during lactation impacts piglet performance and behaviour during lactation

2023

Conference Publication

Early life maternal contact has long-term impacts on pig growth

Tomas, K., Savaglia, J., Plush, K.J., D'Souza, D.N., Butler, K.L., Hemsworth, P.H. and Tilbrook, A.J. (2023). Early life maternal contact has long-term impacts on pig growth. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.005

Early life maternal contact has long-term impacts on pig growth

2023

Conference Publication

Stocking density increases the incidence of tail biting in post-weaned pigs

Abdallah, A., Kumar, A., Navarro, M., Müller, M., Tilbrook, A.J., Plush, K.J., D'Souza, D.N. and Roura, E. (2023). Stocking density increases the incidence of tail biting in post-weaned pigs. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.015

Stocking density increases the incidence of tail biting in post-weaned pigs

2023

Journal Article

Review of the influence of farrowing and lactation housing and positive human contact on sow and piglet welfare

Hemsworth, Paul H., Tilbrook, Alan J., Galea, Rutu Y., Lucas, Megan E., Chidgey, Kirsty L. and Hemsworth, Lauren M. (2023). Review of the influence of farrowing and lactation housing and positive human contact on sow and piglet welfare. Frontiers in Animal Science, 4 1230830, 1-18. doi: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1230830

Review of the influence of farrowing and lactation housing and positive human contact on sow and piglet welfare

2023

Journal Article

Leucine (and lysine) increased plasma levels of the satiety hormone CCK, and phenylalanine of the incretin GLP-1 after oral gavages in pigs

Müller, Maximiliano, Xu, Chenjing, Navarro, Marta, Masiques, Nuria Elias, Tilbrook, Alan, van Barneveld, Robert and Roura, Eugeni (2023). Leucine (and lysine) increased plasma levels of the satiety hormone CCK, and phenylalanine of the incretin GLP-1 after oral gavages in pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 101 skad175. doi: 10.1093/jas/skad175

Leucine (and lysine) increased plasma levels of the satiety hormone CCK, and phenylalanine of the incretin GLP-1 after oral gavages in pigs

2023

Journal Article

State of the art and the future of fecal analysis using infrared spectroscopy

Kho, Elise A., Fernandes, Jill N., Tilbrook, Alan J., Fox, Glen P., Sikulu-Lord, Maggy T., Kotze, Andrew C., Beasley, Anne M., James, Peter J., Tolleson, Douglas R. and Cozzolino, Daniel (2023). State of the art and the future of fecal analysis using infrared spectroscopy. Applied Spectroscopy Reviews, 58 (10), 755-785. doi: 10.1080/05704928.2022.2143795

State of the art and the future of fecal analysis using infrared spectroscopy

2023

Conference Publication

Plasma cortisol response to adrenocorticotropin hormone is negativelym related to previous wool growth and is greater in twin than single sheep

Walters, K. L., Dunshea, F. R., Tilbrook, A. J. and Leury, B. J. (2023). Plasma cortisol response to adrenocorticotropin hormone is negativelym related to previous wool growth and is greater in twin than single sheep. ISRP 2009: XIth International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 6-9 September 2009. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill.

Plasma cortisol response to adrenocorticotropin hormone is negativelym related to previous wool growth and is greater in twin than single sheep

2022

Journal Article

An oral gavage of lysine elicited early satiation while gavages of lysine, leucine, or isoleucine prolonged satiety in pigs

Müller, Maximiliano, Xu, Chenjing, Navarro, Marta, Masiques, Nuria Elias, Tilbrook, Alan, van Barneveld, Robert and Roura, Eugeni (2022). An oral gavage of lysine elicited early satiation while gavages of lysine, leucine, or isoleucine prolonged satiety in pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 100 (12) skac361, 1-8. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac361

An oral gavage of lysine elicited early satiation while gavages of lysine, leucine, or isoleucine prolonged satiety in pigs

2022

Conference Publication

Variation in wool cortisol concentrations of australian merino lambs between twice or single shorn ewes

Hantzopoulou, Georgia-Constantina, Sawyer, Gregory, Tilbrook, Alan and Narayan, Edward (2022). Variation in wool cortisol concentrations of australian merino lambs between twice or single shorn ewes. QAAFI Student Symposium 2022 – A Future for Sustainable Food Systems 2.0, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 30 September 2022.

Variation in wool cortisol concentrations of australian merino lambs between twice or single shorn ewes

2022

Conference Publication

Wool provides key insights into the physiological sensitivity of Merino sheep to environment and management intervention

Narayan, Edward, Hantzopoulou, Georgia, Sawyer, Gregory and Tilbrook, Alan (2022). Wool provides key insights into the physiological sensitivity of Merino sheep to environment and management intervention. Australasian Association of Animal Sciences, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 5-7 July 2022.

Wool provides key insights into the physiological sensitivity of Merino sheep to environment and management intervention

2022

Journal Article

Melatonin dose: testicular and testosterone response in Border Leicester rams during spring

Kleemann, D. O., Kelly, J. M., Arney, L. J., Tilbrook, A. J. and Walker, S. K. (2022). Melatonin dose: testicular and testosterone response in Border Leicester rams during spring. Livestock Science, 260 104928, 104928. doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104928

Melatonin dose: testicular and testosterone response in Border Leicester rams during spring

2022

Journal Article

Intra-and Inter-sample variation in wool cortisol concentrations of Australian Merino lambs between twice or single shorn ewes

Hantzopoulou, Georgia-Constantina, Sawyer, Gregory, Tilbrook, Alan J. and Narayan, Edward (2022). Intra-and Inter-sample variation in wool cortisol concentrations of Australian Merino lambs between twice or single shorn ewes. Frontiers in Animal Science, 3 890914. doi: 10.3389/fanim.2022.890914

Intra-and Inter-sample variation in wool cortisol concentrations of Australian Merino lambs between twice or single shorn ewes

Funding

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Supply chain best practice to improve the health and welfare of free-range buffalo harvest in Arnhem Land - Northern Territory.
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Goat Industry - Sustainability Credentials Project
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2026
    Animal Welfare Standards Project
    The University of Queensland in America, Inc
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    Best practice carbon dioxide stunning for pigs
    Sunpork Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Animal Welfare Standards Project Phase RCC: Sustainable, regional advancement in animal welfare in East Asia.
    The University of Queensland in America, Inc
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Brain measures of positive welfare in pigs
    Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Eliminating pig tail removal to improve welfare and industry sustainability (CRC-P administered by Sunpork)
    Sunpork Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Development of practical measures of animal welfare
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Early stress experiences and stress resilience and emotionality in pigs (ARC Linkage Project administered by The University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Sheep shearing and epigenetic change
    Australian Wool Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Increased pasture intake and reduced supplement requirements of sheep/cattle
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Alan Tilbrook is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker

  • Doctor Philosophy

    PhD Analgesia and Haemostasis to achieve high standards of beef calf welfare in northern Australia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Early life experiences and stress resilience in pigs

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Early life stress and subsequent stress resilience and emotionality in pigs

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Eliminating pig tail removal to improve welfare and industry sustainability

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Marta Navarro, Dr Arun Kumar, Professor Eugeni Roura

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Maternal-foetal programming of stress resilience in Merino sheep

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Nick Hudson

Completed supervision

Media

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