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)

181 - 200 of 286 works

2020

Journal Article

Ability to detect and identify the presence of particles influences consumer acceptance of yoghurt

Olarte Mantilla, Sandra M., Shewan, Heather M., Shingleton, Rebecca, Stokes, Jason R. and Smyth, Heather E. (2020). Ability to detect and identify the presence of particles influences consumer acceptance of yoghurt. Food Quality and Preference, 85 103979, 103979. doi: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2020.103979

Ability to detect and identify the presence of particles influences consumer acceptance of yoghurt

2020

Journal Article

Influence of particle modulus (softness) and matrix rheology on the sensory experience of ‘grittiness’ and ‘smoothness’

Shewan, Heather M., Stokes, Jason R. and Smyth, Heather E. (2020). Influence of particle modulus (softness) and matrix rheology on the sensory experience of ‘grittiness’ and ‘smoothness’. Food Hydrocolloids, 103 105662, 105662. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2020.105662

Influence of particle modulus (softness) and matrix rheology on the sensory experience of ‘grittiness’ and ‘smoothness’

2020

Journal Article

A mid infrared (MIR) spectroscopy study of the composition of edible Australian green ants (Oecophylla smaragdina)—a qualitative study

Olarte Mantilla, Sandra M., Alagappan, Shanmugam, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Smyth, Heather E. and Cozzolino, Daniel (2020). A mid infrared (MIR) spectroscopy study of the composition of edible Australian green ants (Oecophylla smaragdina)—a qualitative study. Food Analytical Methods, 13 (8), 1627-1633. doi: 10.1007/s12161-020-01783-7

A mid infrared (MIR) spectroscopy study of the composition of edible Australian green ants (Oecophylla smaragdina)—a qualitative study

2020

Journal Article

A practical approach on the combination of GC-MS and chemometric tools to study Australian edible green ants

Olarte Mantilla, Sandra M., Alagappan, Shanmugam, Chaliha, Mridusmita, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Smyth, Heather and Cozzolino, Daniel (2020). A practical approach on the combination of GC-MS and chemometric tools to study Australian edible green ants. Food Analytical Methods, 13 (7), 1475-1481. doi: 10.1007/s12161-020-01768-6

A practical approach on the combination of GC-MS and chemometric tools to study Australian edible green ants

2020

Journal Article

Slower development of lower canopy beans produces better coffee

Cheng, Bing, Smyth, Heather E., Furtado, Agnelo and Henry, Robert J. (2020). Slower development of lower canopy beans produces better coffee. Journal of Experimental Botany, 71 (14), 4201-4214. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eraa151

Slower development of lower canopy beans produces better coffee

2020

Conference Publication

Exploring relationships between perceived satiation, subsequent satiety, and plant-based food features

Ni, Dongdong, Gunness, Nima, Smyth, Heather and Gidley, Mike J. (2020). Exploring relationships between perceived satiation, subsequent satiety, and plant-based food features. 15th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Online, February 2020.

Exploring relationships between perceived satiation, subsequent satiety, and plant-based food features

2020

Conference Publication

Discerning wine astringency sub-qualities by tribological approaches in a model system—what is the role of saliva?

Wang, Shaoyang, Smyth, Heather E., Mantilla, Sandra M. Olarte, Stokes, Jason R. and Smith, Paul A. (2020). Discerning wine astringency sub-qualities by tribological approaches in a model system—what is the role of saliva?. Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 – 13 November 2019. Basel, 4052 Switzerland: M D P I AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036061

Discerning wine astringency sub-qualities by tribological approaches in a model system—what is the role of saliva?

2020

Journal Article

Sensory properties of yellow pea and macadamia honeys from conventional and flow hive extraction methods

Grace, Emily, Olarte Mantilla, Sandra, Sunarharum, Wenny Bekti, Ong, Cheng Mun, Waanders, Jennifer, D'Arcy, Bruce Robert and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2020). Sensory properties of yellow pea and macadamia honeys from conventional and flow hive extraction methods. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 100 (5) jsfa.10221, 2027-2034. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.10221

Sensory properties of yellow pea and macadamia honeys from conventional and flow hive extraction methods

2020

Conference Publication

Seaweed – A Secret Weapon to Combat Climate Change?

Urlass, Saskia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Smyth, Heather, Netzel, Gabriele and Netzel, Michael (2020). Seaweed – A Secret Weapon to Combat Climate Change?. Science Week 2020, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17-20 August 2020.

Seaweed – A Secret Weapon to Combat Climate Change?

2020

Conference Publication

Purple sweetcorn—an innovative horticultural product—consumer views

Mantilla, Sandra Milena Olarte, Lyons, Philippa, O'Hare, Tim J. and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2020). Purple sweetcorn—an innovative horticultural product—consumer views. Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11–13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036102

Purple sweetcorn—an innovative horticultural product—consumer views

2020

Conference Publication

Application of multi-scale deformation models to oral processing of plant-based foods

Stokes, Jason R. and Smyth, Heather E. (2020). Application of multi-scale deformation models to oral processing of plant-based foods. IFT20 Virtual Annual Event, Virtual, 13-15 July 2020.

Application of multi-scale deformation models to oral processing of plant-based foods

2020

Conference Publication

Sensory research on horticultural products

Smyth, Heather Eunice (2020). Sensory research on horticultural products. International Symposium of Horticulture and Plant Biology (Virtual), Wuhan, China, 26 August 2020.

Sensory research on horticultural products

2019

Journal Article

Sensory characteristics of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum and biceps femoris muscles from male and female common eland (Taurotragus oryx)

Needham, Tersia, Laubser, Johannes G., Kotrba, Radim, Bureš, Daniel, Smyth, Heather and Hoffman, Louwrens C. (2019). Sensory characteristics of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum and biceps femoris muscles from male and female common eland (Taurotragus oryx). Meat Science, 158 107918, 107918. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2019.107918

Sensory characteristics of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum and biceps femoris muscles from male and female common eland (Taurotragus oryx)

2019

Conference Publication

Revealing the driving components of red wine mouthfeel – Insights from sensory and physical measurements

Wang, Shaoyang, Olarte Mantilla, Sandra, Stokes, Jason, Smith, Paul and Smyth, Heather (2019). Revealing the driving components of red wine mouthfeel – Insights from sensory and physical measurements. TropAg 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, November 2019.

Revealing the driving components of red wine mouthfeel – Insights from sensory and physical measurements

2019

Conference Publication

Relationships between perceived satiation, subsequent satiety, and plant-based food features

Ni, Dongdong, Gunness, Purnima , Smyth, Heather E. and Gidley, Michael J. (2019). Relationships between perceived satiation, subsequent satiety, and plant-based food features. 5th International Conference on Food Structure, Digestion and Health, Rotorua, New Zealand, 1-3 October 2019.

Relationships between perceived satiation, subsequent satiety, and plant-based food features

2019

Journal Article

Diurnal Harvest Cycle and Sap Composition Affect Under-Skin Browning in 'Honey Gold' Mango Fruit

San, Anh T., Hofman, Peter J., Joyce, Daryl C., Macnish, Andrew J., Marques, Jose R., Webb, Richard, Li, Guoqin and Smyth, Heather E. (2019). Diurnal Harvest Cycle and Sap Composition Affect Under-Skin Browning in 'Honey Gold' Mango Fruit. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10 1093, 1093. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01093

Diurnal Harvest Cycle and Sap Composition Affect Under-Skin Browning in 'Honey Gold' Mango Fruit

2019

Journal Article

Ring Shear Tester as an in-vitro testing tool to study oral processing of comminuted potato chips

Deshmukh, Omkar S., Dhital, Sushil, Olarte Mantilla, Sandra M., Smyth, Heather E., Boehm, Michael W., Baier, Stefan K. and Stokes, Jason R. (2019). Ring Shear Tester as an in-vitro testing tool to study oral processing of comminuted potato chips. Food Research International, 123, 208-216. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2019.04.037

Ring Shear Tester as an in-vitro testing tool to study oral processing of comminuted potato chips

2019

Journal Article

Comprehensive profiling of lipid oxidation volatile compounds during storage of mayonnaise

Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Calingacion, Mariafe, Smyth, Heather E. and Fitzgerald, Melissa (2019). Comprehensive profiling of lipid oxidation volatile compounds during storage of mayonnaise. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 56 (9), 4076-4090. doi: 10.1007/s13197-019-03876-6

Comprehensive profiling of lipid oxidation volatile compounds during storage of mayonnaise

2019

Journal Article

Effect of natural antioxidants on lipid oxidation in mayonnaise compared with BHA, the industry standard

Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Calingacion, Mariafe, Smyth, Heather E. and Fitzgerald, Melissa (2019). Effect of natural antioxidants on lipid oxidation in mayonnaise compared with BHA, the industry standard. Metabolomics, 15 (8) 106, 106. doi: 10.1007/s11306-019-1568-4

Effect of natural antioxidants on lipid oxidation in mayonnaise compared with BHA, the industry standard

2019

Conference Publication

Discerning wine astringency sub-qualities by tribological approaches – what are the roles of saliva?

Wang, Shaoyang, Smyth, Heather, Olarte Mantilla, Sandra, Stokes, Jason and Smith, Paul (2019). Discerning wine astringency sub-qualities by tribological approaches – what are the roles of saliva?. AIFST Convention, Sydney, NSW Australia, July 2019.

Discerning wine astringency sub-qualities by tribological approaches – what are the roles of saliva?

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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