Professor Heather Smyth
Professor

Heather Smyth

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32469

Background

Professor Heather Smyth helps industry understand what makes food taste great - and how to deliver it consistently. Her research integrates sensory science, flavour chemistry, food structure, and consumer insights to identify the drivers of consumer acceptance and translate these into product innovation and optimisation.

She works across the agri-food value chain - linking primary production, processing and formulation to consumer experience - supporting the development of differentiated, high-value Australian products. Her research spans formulated foods, horticultural produce, meat, seafood and cereals, as well as premium foods including wine, coffee and high-value speciality crops. She has a particular interest in supporting ‘Brand Australia’ by defining and communicating the unique quality, provenance and sensory characteristics of Australian foods. Professor Smyth is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST).

Professor Smyth is particularly focused on anticipating future consumer needs and supporting industry to respond, guiding the development of products and agri-food systems that align with evolving expectations around quality, health, sustainability and experience.

Availability

Professor Heather Smyth is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Analytical chemistry Beverage chemistry and beverage sensory science Chemical Sciences Engineering Food chemistry and food sensory science Food nutritional balance Food packaging, preservation and processing Food safety, traceability, certification and authenticity Food sciences Food sciences not elsewhere classified Food sustainability Food technology Natural products and bioactive compounds Organic chemistry

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Adelaide
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide

Research interests

  • Industry translation and applied research

    Delivering applied, industry-focused research that translates scientific insights into practical outcomes. Collaborating across the value chain - from producers to manufacturers and marketers - to solve real-world challenges in product quality, differentiation and consumer engagement.

  • Flavour, Sensory and Consumer Science

    Understanding how composition, structure and processing influence how food is perceived and enjoyed by consumers. Integrating sensory evaluation, flavour chemistry and consumer insights to identify the drivers of liking and translate these into actionable product improvements.

  • Food Quality, Provenance and Value Creation

    Defining and communicating food quality through sensory and chemical characteristics, with a focus on provenance, regional identity and differentiation. Connecting "Place with Taste". Supporting industry to create premium, value-added products through evidence-based quality positioning and branding.

  • Linking Production Systems to Eating Quality

    Investigating how genetics, growing conditions, processing and formulation influence flavour, texture and overall eating quality. Bridging agriculture and food science to connect on-farm decisions with consumer experience.

  • Future consumer needs and food system transformation

    Understanding how evolving consumer expectations around product sensory experience, health, sustainability and provenance will shape future food products and agri-food systems. Integrating consumer insights with food and agricultural science to anticipate future demand, guide innovation and de-risk decision-making across the supply chain.

  • Product optimisation, reformulation and food innovation

    Working with industry partners to design, develop and optimise food and beverage products with clear consumer value. Integrating sensory science, flavour chemistry, food structure and consumer insights to guide formulation and reformulation, helping industry meet evolving nutritional, cost and sustainability targets while maintaining or enhancing product quality and consumer acceptance.

Research impacts

Professor Smyth works closely with the food and beverage industries to discover what sensory qualities consumers want and supports the design, production and marketing of superior products with increased consumer value. Current projects involve specialty coffee, beer, wine, native plant foods, cocoa, premium beef and seafood, tropical fruits, cereals, dairy products and some processed products and snack foods.

Smyth is also heavily involved in training industry and researchers in the application of flavour chemistry, sensory and consumer evaluation methods.

Search Professor Heather Smyth’s works on UQ eSpace

286 works between 2003 and 2026
All (286) Book (1) Journal Article (116) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (163) Book Chapter (5)

221 - 240 of 286 works

2018

Conference Publication

Understanding wine astringency and mouthfeel

Wang, Shaoyang and Smyth, Heather (2018). Understanding wine astringency and mouthfeel. 12th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2018.

Understanding wine astringency and mouthfeel

2018

Conference Publication

Future food trends: what’s the next kale boom

Smyth, Heather Eunice (2018). Future food trends: what’s the next kale boom. Hort Connections, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18-20 June 2018.

Future food trends: what’s the next kale boom

2018

Conference Publication

The role of saliva flow rate and composition in the oral manipulation of solid snack foods

Gebremariam, Mekonnen and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2018). The role of saliva flow rate and composition in the oral manipulation of solid snack foods. 12th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 5-7 February 2018.

The role of saliva flow rate and composition in the oral manipulation of solid snack foods

2017

Conference Publication

Understanding wine astringency and mouthfeel

Wang, Shaoyang, Smyth, Heather, Olarte Mantilla, Sandra, Stokes, Jason and Smith, Paul (2017). Understanding wine astringency and mouthfeel. TropAg, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2017.

Understanding wine astringency and mouthfeel

2017

Journal Article

Evaluating the sensory properties of unpolished Australian wild rice

Tikapunya, Tiparat, Henry, Robert J. and Smyth, Heather (2017). Evaluating the sensory properties of unpolished Australian wild rice. Food Research International, 103, 406-414. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.10.037

Evaluating the sensory properties of unpolished Australian wild rice

2017

Journal Article

Extraction and characterization of a novel Terminalia pectin

Chaliha, Mridusmita, Williams, David, Smyth, Heather and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2017). Extraction and characterization of a novel Terminalia pectin. Food Science and Biotechnology, 27 (1), 65-71. doi: 10.1007/s10068-017-0201-4

Extraction and characterization of a novel Terminalia pectin

2017

Journal Article

Variation in bean morphology and biochemical composition measured in different genetic groups of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

Tran, Hue T. M., Vargas, Carlos Alberto Cordero, Lee, L. Slade, Furtado, Agnelo, Smyth, Heather and Henry, Robert (2017). Variation in bean morphology and biochemical composition measured in different genetic groups of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.). Tree Genetics and Genomes, 13 (3) 54. doi: 10.1007/s11295-017-1138-8

Variation in bean morphology and biochemical composition measured in different genetic groups of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

2017

Journal Article

Stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) and HS-SPME-GCMS quantification of key aroma volatiles for fruit and sap of Australian mango cultivars

San, Anh T., Joyce, Daryl C., Hofman, Peter J., Macnish, Andrew J., Webb, Richard I., Matovic, Nicolas J., Williams, Craig M., De Voss, James J., Wong, Siew H. and Smyth, Heather E. (2017). Stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) and HS-SPME-GCMS quantification of key aroma volatiles for fruit and sap of Australian mango cultivars. Food Chemistry, 221, 613-619. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.11.130

Stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) and HS-SPME-GCMS quantification of key aroma volatiles for fruit and sap of Australian mango cultivars

2017

Journal Article

Bioactive rich extracts from Terminalia ferdinandiana by enzyme-assisted extraction: a simple food safe extraction method

Chaliha, Mridusmita, Williams, David, Edwards, David, Pun, Sharon, Smyth, Heather and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2017). Bioactive rich extracts from Terminalia ferdinandiana by enzyme-assisted extraction: a simple food safe extraction method. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 11 (5), 96-106. doi: 10.5897/JMPR2016.6285

Bioactive rich extracts from Terminalia ferdinandiana by enzyme-assisted extraction: a simple food safe extraction method

2017

Conference Publication

The sensory experience of tooth-packing defined

Smyth, Heather Eunice and Witt, Torsten (2017). The sensory experience of tooth-packing defined. 11th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand, 20-22 February 2017.

The sensory experience of tooth-packing defined

2017

Conference Publication

Evaluation of sensory methods for texture perception of potato chips during oral processing

Gebremariam, Mekonnen, Flammer, Linda J., Baier, Stefan, Stokes, Jason R. and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2017). Evaluation of sensory methods for texture perception of potato chips during oral processing. 11th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Otago, New Zealand, 20-22 February 2017.

Evaluation of sensory methods for texture perception of potato chips during oral processing

2017

Conference Publication

Anatomy of skin disorders afflicting Australian mangoes

San, A. T., Webb, R. I., Joyce, D. C., Hofman, P. J., Macnish, A. J. and Smyth, H. E. (2017). Anatomy of skin disorders afflicting Australian mangoes. XI International Mango Symposium, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia , 28th September- 3rd. October 2015. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2017.1183.48

Anatomy of skin disorders afflicting Australian mangoes

2017

Conference Publication

Value added nutritionally rich products from Australian wattle seeds (Acacia species)

Sultanbawa, Y., Shelat, K., Cross, D., Olarte Mantilla, S. and Smyth, H. (2017). Value added nutritionally rich products from Australian wattle seeds (Acacia species). TropAg2017, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 20-22 November 2017. Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers.

Value added nutritionally rich products from Australian wattle seeds (Acacia species)

2017

Conference Publication

Panel recruitment: Where do we stand? And how can we improve?

Olarte Mantilla, Sandra, Tyler, Philippa, Sunaharum, Wenny Bekti and Smyth. Heather Eunice (2017). Panel recruitment: Where do we stand? And how can we improve?. 11th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Otago, New Zealand, 20-22 February 2017.

Panel recruitment: Where do we stand? And how can we improve?

2017

Conference Publication

A new approach to capture sensory information for texturally complex foods during oral processing

Smyth, Heather Eunice, Gebremariam, Mekonnen M., Olarte Mantilla, Sandra, Flammer, Linda J., Baier, Stefan and Stokes, Jason R. (2017). A new approach to capture sensory information for texturally complex foods during oral processing. 12th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium, Rhode Island, United States, 20-25 August 2017.

A new approach to capture sensory information for texturally complex foods during oral processing

2017

Conference Publication

In vitro antimicrobial effects and mode of action of KP (Terminalia ferdinandiana) products against pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms

Chaliha, M., Shelat, K., Fernando, C., Williams, D., Smyth, H. and Sultanbawa, Y. (2017). In vitro antimicrobial effects and mode of action of KP (Terminalia ferdinandiana) products against pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. TropAg2017, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 20-22 November 2017. Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers.

In vitro antimicrobial effects and mode of action of KP (Terminalia ferdinandiana) products against pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms

2017

Conference Publication

Texture and mouthfeel perceptions of model beverage systems containing soluble and insoluble oat fibres

Chakraborty, Piyali, Smyth, Heather Eunice, Witt, Torsten and Stokes, Jason (2017). Texture and mouthfeel perceptions of model beverage systems containing soluble and insoluble oat fibres. 11th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Otago, New Zealand, 20-22 February 2017.

Texture and mouthfeel perceptions of model beverage systems containing soluble and insoluble oat fibres

2016

Journal Article

Influence of genotype and environment on coffee quality

Cheng, Bing, Furtado, Agnelo, Smyth, Heather E. and Henry, Robert J. (2016). Influence of genotype and environment on coffee quality. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 57 (A), 20-30. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2016.09.003

Influence of genotype and environment on coffee quality

2016

Journal Article

Lipid oxidation in mayonnaise and the role of natural antioxidants: a review

Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Smyth, Heather E., Sharma, Mary and Fitzgerald, Melissa (2016). Lipid oxidation in mayonnaise and the role of natural antioxidants: a review. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 56, 88-102. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2016.08.002

Lipid oxidation in mayonnaise and the role of natural antioxidants: a review

2016

Journal Article

Advances in genomics for the improvement of quality in coffee

Tran, Hue T. M., Lee, L. Slade, Furtado, Agnelo, Smyth, Heather and Henry, Robert J. (2016). Advances in genomics for the improvement of quality in coffee. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 96 (10), 3300-3312. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.7692

Advances in genomics for the improvement of quality in coffee

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding for Agricultural Futures
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    National Passionfruit Breeding and Evaluation Program
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    Reduced enteric emissions of Grainfed Wagyu Cattle through feeding of red Asparagopsis for 300 days - Sensory Evaluation (AACo administered MLA grant)
    A. A. COMPANY PTY. LTD.
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Genetics of Fruit Sensory Preferences (HIA project administered by DAF)
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Plant based foods: Towards sustainable and acceptable meat analogues
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    Genetics of Fruit Sensory Preferences
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Measurement of pH in high intramuscular fat samples and existing technology validation
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Emulsion gels and sensory perception
    Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Plant-based meat analogues
    Motif FoodWorks
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    National Papaya Breeding and Evaluation Program (Hort Innovation Grant administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2025
    ARC Training Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Improving the efficiency of Kakadu Plum value chains to grow a robust and sustainable industry
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    A situational analysis for developing a Rice industry in Northern Australia
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Nanoparticle, Colloid and Microparticle Characterisation and Precision Engineering Nanosystems Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Dietary manipulation of pork fatty acid profiles to develop an Australian pork flavour signature relevant to Chinese consumers
    Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Food structure design
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Value added bakery products using native plants as functional ingredients
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Naturally Nutritious
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Australian native foods as natural additives to improve quality and shelf life of frozen meals
    Research Connections
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Understanding Coffee Quality
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    Agents of change: Transforming the food industry for Australia, Asia and beyond
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Chemical methods to underpin an understanding of coffee quality
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    Use of plant derived compounds to condition piglet intake at weaning and reduce post-weaning use of therapeutics
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Tactical Research Fund: Developing a dynamic regional brand - focus on flavour
    Fisheries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Prevention of muddy taints in farmed barramundi
    Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Heather Smyth is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Heather Smyth directly for media enquiries about:

  • aroma
  • beef
  • coffee
  • consumer research
  • flavour
  • food quality
  • human senses
  • premium food
  • sensory science
  • smell
  • taste
  • taste panels
  • wine

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