Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
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

61 - 80 of 211 works

2016

Journal Article

Reducing sow confinement during farrowing and in early lactation increases piglet mortality1

Condous, P. C., Plush, K. J., Tilbrook, A. J. and van Wettere, W. H. E. J. (2016). Reducing sow confinement during farrowing and in early lactation increases piglet mortality1. Journal of Animal Science, 94 (7), 3022-3029. doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-0145

Reducing sow confinement during farrowing and in early lactation increases piglet mortality1

2016

Journal Article

The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in sheep is attenuated during lactation in response to psychosocial and predator stress

Ralph, C. R. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2016). The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in sheep is attenuated during lactation in response to psychosocial and predator stress. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 55, 66-73. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2015.11.003

The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in sheep is attenuated during lactation in response to psychosocial and predator stress

2016

Journal Article

Invited review: the usefulness of measuring glucocorticoids for assessing animal welfare

Ralph, C. R. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2016). Invited review: the usefulness of measuring glucocorticoids for assessing animal welfare. Journal of Animal Science, 94 (2), 457-470. doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-9645

Invited review: the usefulness of measuring glucocorticoids for assessing animal welfare

2016

Journal Article

Impact of psychosocial stress on gonadotrophins and sexual behaviour in females: role for cortisol?

Ralph, C. R., Lehman, M. N., Goodman, R. L. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2016). Impact of psychosocial stress on gonadotrophins and sexual behaviour in females: role for cortisol?. Reproduction, 152 (1), R1-R14. doi: 10.1530/REP-15-0604

Impact of psychosocial stress on gonadotrophins and sexual behaviour in females: role for cortisol?

2015

Journal Article

Scientific assessment of animal welfare

Hemsworth, P. H., Mellor, D. J., Cronin, G. M. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2015). Scientific assessment of animal welfare. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 63 (1), 24-30. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2014.966167

Scientific assessment of animal welfare

2015

Journal Article

Relationship between plasma and tissue corticosterone in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus): implications for stress physiology and animal welfare

Ralph, C. R., Hemsworth, P. H., Leury, B. J. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2015). Relationship between plasma and tissue corticosterone in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus): implications for stress physiology and animal welfare. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 50, 72-82. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2014.09.002

Relationship between plasma and tissue corticosterone in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus): implications for stress physiology and animal welfare

2014

Journal Article

Positive effects of melatonin treatment on the reproductive performance of young border leicester rams mated to merino ewes in spring: preliminary observations

Kleemann, D. O., Kelly, J. M., Arney, L. J., Farley, I. L., Tilbrook, A. J. and Walker, S. K. (2014). Positive effects of melatonin treatment on the reproductive performance of young border leicester rams mated to merino ewes in spring: preliminary observations. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 49 (6), 894-898. doi: 10.1111/rda.12387

Positive effects of melatonin treatment on the reproductive performance of young border leicester rams mated to merino ewes in spring: preliminary observations

2014

Journal Article

Physiological responses to psychological stress: importance of adiposity in men aged 50-70 years

Jayasinghe, S. U., Torres, S. J., Nowson, C. A., Tilbrook, A. J. and Turner, A. I. (2014). Physiological responses to psychological stress: importance of adiposity in men aged 50-70 years. Endocrine Connections, 3 (3), 110-119. doi: 10.1530/EC-14-0042

Physiological responses to psychological stress: importance of adiposity in men aged 50-70 years

2014

Journal Article

Cortisol, alpha amylase, blood pressure and heart rate responses to food intake in men aged 50-70 years: Importance of adiposity

Jayasinghe, Sisitha U., Torres, Susan J., Nowson, Caryl A., Tilbrook, Alan J. and Turner, Anne I. (2014). Cortisol, alpha amylase, blood pressure and heart rate responses to food intake in men aged 50-70 years: Importance of adiposity. BMC Obesity, 1 (1) 14. doi: 10.1186/s40608-014-0014-4

Cortisol, alpha amylase, blood pressure and heart rate responses to food intake in men aged 50-70 years: Importance of adiposity

2013

Journal Article

Effects of group size and floor space allowance on grouped sows: Aggression, stress, skin injuries, and reproductive performance

Hemsworth, P. H., Rice, M., Nash, J., Giri, K., Butler, K. L., Tilbrook, A. J. and Morrison, R. S. (2013). Effects of group size and floor space allowance on grouped sows: Aggression, stress, skin injuries, and reproductive performance. Journal of Animal Science, 91 (10), 4953-4964. doi: 10.2527/jas.2012-5807

Effects of group size and floor space allowance on grouped sows: Aggression, stress, skin injuries, and reproductive performance

2013

Journal Article

Artificially extending photoperiod improves milk yield in dairy goats and is most effective in late lactation

Russo, V. M., Cameron, A. W. N., Dunshea, F. R., Tilbrook, A. J. and Leury, B. J. (2013). Artificially extending photoperiod improves milk yield in dairy goats and is most effective in late lactation. Small Ruminant Research, 113 (1), 179-186. doi: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.01.002

Artificially extending photoperiod improves milk yield in dairy goats and is most effective in late lactation

2013

Journal Article

Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment on plasma oxytocin and cortisol in major depressive disorder

Keating, Charlotte, Dawood, Tye, Barton, David A., Lambert, Gavin W. and Tilbrook, Alan J. (2013). Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment on plasma oxytocin and cortisol in major depressive disorder. BMC Psychiatry, 13 (1) 124, 124.1-124.7. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-13-124

Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment on plasma oxytocin and cortisol in major depressive disorder

2013

Journal Article

Genetic selection for temperament affects behaviour and the secretion of adrenal and reproductive hormones in sheep subjected to stress

Hawken, P. A. R., Luckins, N., Tilbrook, A., Fiol, C., Martin, G. B. and Blache, D. (2013). Genetic selection for temperament affects behaviour and the secretion of adrenal and reproductive hormones in sheep subjected to stress. Stress: The International Journal On the Biology of Stress, 16 (1), 130-142. doi: 10.3109/10253890.2012.690114

Genetic selection for temperament affects behaviour and the secretion of adrenal and reproductive hormones in sheep subjected to stress

2012

Journal Article

Neuroadrenergic dysfunction along the diabetes continuum: a comparative study in obese metabolic syndrome subjects

Straznicky, Nora E., Grima, Mariee T., Sari, Carolina I., Eikelis, Nina, Lambert, Elisabeth A., Nestel, Paul J., Esler, Murray D., Dixon, John B., Chopra, Reena, Tilbrook, Alan J., Schlaich, Markus P. and Lambert, Gavin W. (2012). Neuroadrenergic dysfunction along the diabetes continuum: a comparative study in obese metabolic syndrome subjects. Diabetes, 61 (10), 2506-2516. doi: 10.2337/db12-0138

Neuroadrenergic dysfunction along the diabetes continuum: a comparative study in obese metabolic syndrome subjects

2012

Journal Article

Reward processing in anorexia nervosa

Keating, Charlotte, Tilbrook, Alan J., Rossell, Susan L., Enticott, Peter G. and Fitzgerald, Paul B. (2012). Reward processing in anorexia nervosa. Neuropsychologia, 50 (5), 567-575. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2012.01.036

Reward processing in anorexia nervosa

2012

Journal Article

The effects of dietary weight loss with or without exercise training on liver enzymes in obese metabolic syndrome subjects

Straznicky, N. E., Lambert, E. A., Grima, M. T., Eikelis, N., Nestel, P. J., Dawood, T., Schlaich, M. P., Masuo, K., Chopra, R., Sari, C. I., Dixon, J. B., Tilbrook, A. J. and Lambert, G. W. (2012). The effects of dietary weight loss with or without exercise training on liver enzymes in obese metabolic syndrome subjects. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 14 (2), 139-148. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2011.01497.x

The effects of dietary weight loss with or without exercise training on liver enzymes in obese metabolic syndrome subjects

2012

Journal Article

Baseline sympathetic nervous system activity predicts dietary weight loss in obese metabolic syndrome subjects

Straznicky, Nora E., Eikelis, Nina, Nestel, Paul J., Dixon, John B., Dawood, Tye, Grima, Mariee T., Sari, Carolina I., Schlaich, Markus P., Esler, Murray D., Tilbrook, Alan J., Lambert, Gavin W. and Lambert, Elisabeth A. (2012). Baseline sympathetic nervous system activity predicts dietary weight loss in obese metabolic syndrome subjects. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 97 (2), 605-613. doi: 10.1210/jc.2011-2320

Baseline sympathetic nervous system activity predicts dietary weight loss in obese metabolic syndrome subjects

2011

Journal Article

Acute and chronic stress-like levels of cortisol inhibit the oestradiol stimulus to induce sexual receptivity but have no effect on sexual attractivity or proceptivity in female sheep

Papargiris, M. M., Rivalland, E. T. A., Hemsworth, P. H., Morrissey, A. D. and Tilbrook, A. J. (2011). Acute and chronic stress-like levels of cortisol inhibit the oestradiol stimulus to induce sexual receptivity but have no effect on sexual attractivity or proceptivity in female sheep. Hormones and Behavior, 60 (4), 336-345. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.06.008

Acute and chronic stress-like levels of cortisol inhibit the oestradiol stimulus to induce sexual receptivity but have no effect on sexual attractivity or proceptivity in female sheep

2011

Journal Article

Ghrelin modulates sympathetic nervous system activity and stress response in lean and overweight men

Lambert, Elisabeth, Lambert, Gavin, Ika-Sari, Carolina, Dawood, Tye, Lee, Katie, Chopra, Reena, Straznicky, Nora, Eikelis, Nina, Drew, Sara, Tilbrook, Alan, Dixon, John, Esler, Murray and Schlaich, Markus P. (2011). Ghrelin modulates sympathetic nervous system activity and stress response in lean and overweight men. Hypertension, 58 (1), 43-50. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.171025

Ghrelin modulates sympathetic nervous system activity and stress response in lean and overweight men

2011

Conference Publication

The Art of Sexual Science: Grommets, Girly-Girls, and Grandpas ... and Everything in Between

Vandyk, R. and Tilbrook, A. (2011). The Art of Sexual Science: Grommets, Girly-Girls, and Grandpas ... and Everything in Between. WILEY-BLACKWELL.

The Art of Sexual Science: Grommets, Girly-Girls, and Grandpas ... and Everything in Between

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

    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

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker

  • 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

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Professor Alan Tilbrook's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au