Dr Natasha Hungerford
Dr

Natasha Hungerford

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+61 7 344 32473

Background

Dr Natasha Hungerford is an organic chemist and has extensive experience in natural products chemistry. She is a Senior Research Fellow leading the Natural Toxin group within the Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agricultural and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and is based at the Health and Food Sciences Precinct (Cooper's Plains). She joined QAAFI in 2016 and specialises in natural plant toxins and their impacts on livestock and human health, including food safety and regulations. Collaborative projects with government/industry have spanned mitigation of toxin impacts on cattle, to evaluation of toxins in honey (and health impacts). Subsequent examinations of stingless bee honey serendipitously led to the ground-breaking discovery of the rare sugar trehalulose as a major component of these honeys. Dr Hungerford continues to lead and manage projects to address agricultural industry challenges, including reducing methane gas emissions for a carbon neutral beef industry and international stingless bee honey development.

Dr Hungerford achieved her PhD in 1998, through the UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research in natural products chemistry and in synthetic organic chemistry, at the University of Oxford, Australian National University, The University of Sydney, Griffith University and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Availability

Dr Natasha Hungerford is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Analytical chemistry Chemical Sciences Natural products and bioactive compounds Organic chemistry

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Natural toxins analysis

    Dr Natasha Hungerford's research interests focus on the identification and analysis of natural toxins present in specific plants, with the aim of minimising risks to Australian livestock and to the consumer of certain food products. In particular, the source and identity of pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination has been assessed by the extraction and identification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from various plants. Work to mitigate the Pimelea toxin, simplexin, which causes often fatal cattle poisoning in animals grazing inland areas of Australia, is being undertaken. The level of simplexin is being analysed in in vitro rumen trials to monitor and assess the effects of various strategies to breakdown or remove the toxin in the rumen, including microbial degradation, use of adsorbents or biopolymers.

  • Atypical sugars in novel foods

    The presence of significant quantities of the sugar trehalulose in stingless bee honey has prompted a study, funded by Queensland Health, into the levels of atypical sugars in other novel and emerging foods. Public health implications of atypical sugars identified will be examined.

  • Slowed delivery of bioactive compounds that reduce enteric methane

    This project involves an interdisciplinary team of researchers from UQ and DAF with the aim of reducing methane emissions from beef cattle. The developed technology will be assessed for the controlled release of active-agents to provide a sustained reduction in enteric methane, applicable to extensive cattle grazing systems.

  • Bioactives in stingless bee honey

    A recent focus has been the analysis of the properties of stingless bee honey, particularly the unique sugar content of these honeys, with this work culminating in grants from AgriFutures Australia and the Malaysian Government International Collaborative Fund (led by Universiti Putra Malaysia). LCMS technologies, ion chromatography, and stable isotope MS techniques have been used in collaboration with Queensland Health with the aims of optimising stingless bee honey bioactive content. This work provided the first report of the atypical disaccharide trehalulose as a major component of the honey of stingless bees (Meliponini) from Australia (2 species), Malaysia (2 species) and Brazil (1 species). Our research has shown that the low GI sugar trehalulose, which is not found significantly in regular honey or as a major component in any other food, is produced by the bees themselves from nectar sucrose. Further studies seek to understand the mechanism of this bee catalysed isomerisation of sucrose to trehalulose.

Search Professor Natasha Hungerford’s works on UQ eSpace

131 works between 1995 and 2025
All (131) Book (1) Journal Article (46) Other Outputs (2) Conference Publication (82)

101 - 120 of 131 works

2017

Journal Article

(4+3) Cycloaddition reactions of N-alkyl oxidopyridinium ions

Fu, Chencheng, Lora, Nestor, Kirchhoefer, Patrick L., Lee, Dong Reyoul, Altenhofer, Erich, Barnes, Charles L., Hungerford, Natasha L., Krenske, Elizabeth H. and Harmata, Michael (2017). (4+3) Cycloaddition reactions of N-alkyl oxidopyridinium ions. Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), 56 (46), 14682-14687. doi: 10.1002/anie.201708320

(4+3) Cycloaddition reactions of N-alkyl oxidopyridinium ions

2017

Conference Publication

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids – The Risk of Natural Toxins in Queensland Honey

Hungerford, N. L., Martin, C. L., Fletcher, M. T., Carter, S. J., Anuj, S. R., Sharma, E., Yin, M., Melksham, K. J. and Were, S. (2017). Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids – The Risk of Natural Toxins in Queensland Honey. TropAg2017, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane / Brisbane Convention Centre, 20-22 November 2017.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids – The Risk of Natural Toxins in Queensland Honey

2017

Conference Publication

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids – natural toxins risk in Queensland honey

Hungerford, Natasha L., Martin, C. L., Fletcher, M. T., Carter, S. J., Anuj, S. R., Sharma, E., Yin, M., Melksham, K. J. and Were, S. T. (2017). Pyrrolizidine alkaloids – natural toxins risk in Queensland honey. 2nd Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 27 November 2017. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Queensland University of Technology.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids – natural toxins risk in Queensland honey

2017

Conference Publication

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids – Natural Toxins from Flowers to Honey

Fletcher, M. T., Hungerford, N. L., Carter, S. J., Anuj, S. R., Martin, C. L., Yin, M., Melsham, K. J. and Were, S. (2017). Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids – Natural Toxins from Flowers to Honey. RACI National Centenary Congress, Melbourne / Melbourne Convention Centre, 23-26 July 2017.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids – Natural Toxins from Flowers to Honey

2012

Journal Article

Synthesis and evaluation of anticancer natural product analogues based on angelmarin: targeting the tolerance towards nutrient deprivation

Magolan, Jakob, Adams, Nathan B. P., Onozuka, Hiroko, Hungerford, Natasha L., Esumi, Hiroyasu and Coster, Mark J. (2012). Synthesis and evaluation of anticancer natural product analogues based on angelmarin: targeting the tolerance towards nutrient deprivation. ChemMedChem, 7 (5), 766-770. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.201100564

Synthesis and evaluation of anticancer natural product analogues based on angelmarin: targeting the tolerance towards nutrient deprivation

2012

Journal Article

3,4 '-Linked bis(piperidines) related to the haliclonacyclamine class of marine alkaloids: Synthesis using crossed-aldol chemistry and preliminary biological evaluations

Banwell, Martin G., Coster, Mark J., Hungerford, Natasha L., Garson, Mary J., Su, Stephen, Kotze, Andrew C. and Munro, Murray H. G. (2012). 3,4 '-Linked bis(piperidines) related to the haliclonacyclamine class of marine alkaloids: Synthesis using crossed-aldol chemistry and preliminary biological evaluations. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 10 (1), 154-161. doi: 10.1039/c1ob06418e

3,4 '-Linked bis(piperidines) related to the haliclonacyclamine class of marine alkaloids: Synthesis using crossed-aldol chemistry and preliminary biological evaluations

2011

Journal Article

First enantioselective synthesis of methyl (+)-7-methoxyanodendroate, an antitubercular dihydrobenzofuran

Aumann, Kylee M., Hungerford, Natasha L. and Coster, Mark J. (2011). First enantioselective synthesis of methyl (+)-7-methoxyanodendroate, an antitubercular dihydrobenzofuran. Tetrahedron Letters, 52 (51), 6988-6990. doi: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2011.10.095

First enantioselective synthesis of methyl (+)-7-methoxyanodendroate, an antitubercular dihydrobenzofuran

2006

Journal Article

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-dactylolide

Louis, Ignace, Hungerford, Natasha L., Humphries, Edward J. and McLeod, Malcolm D. (2006). Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-dactylolide. Organic Letters, 8 (6), 1117-1120. doi: 10.1021/ol053092b

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-dactylolide

2006

Journal Article

Selective manipulation of steroid hydroxyl groups with boronate esters: Efficient access to antigenic C-3 linked steroid-protein conjugates and steroid sulfate standards for drug detection

Hungerford, Natasha L., McKinney, Andrew R., Stenhouse, Allen M. and McLeod, Malcolm D. (2006). Selective manipulation of steroid hydroxyl groups with boronate esters: Efficient access to antigenic C-3 linked steroid-protein conjugates and steroid sulfate standards for drug detection. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 4 (21), 3951-3959. doi: 10.1039/b610499a

Selective manipulation of steroid hydroxyl groups with boronate esters: Efficient access to antigenic C-3 linked steroid-protein conjugates and steroid sulfate standards for drug detection

2005

Journal Article

Analysis of anabolic steroids in the horse: development of a generic ELISA for the screening of 17α-alkyl anabolic steroid metabolites

Hungerford, Natasha L., Sortain, Benoit, Smart, Corinne G., McKinney, Andrew R., Ridley, Damon D., Stenhouse, Allen M., Suann, Craig J., Munn, Kellie J., Sillence, Martin N. and McLeod, Malcolm D. (2005). Analysis of anabolic steroids in the horse: development of a generic ELISA for the screening of 17α-alkyl anabolic steroid metabolites. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 96 (3-4), 317-334. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2005.03.007

Analysis of anabolic steroids in the horse: development of a generic ELISA for the screening of 17α-alkyl anabolic steroid metabolites

2004

Journal Article

Synthesis of the sialic acid (-)-KDN and certain epimers from (-)-3-dehydroshikimic acid or (-)-quinic acid

Banwell, MG, Hungerford, NL and Jolliffe, KA (2004). Synthesis of the sialic acid (-)-KDN and certain epimers from (-)-3-dehydroshikimic acid or (-)-quinic acid. Organic Letters, 6 (16), 2737-2740. doi: 10.1021/ol049048y

Synthesis of the sialic acid (-)-KDN and certain epimers from (-)-3-dehydroshikimic acid or (-)-quinic acid

2004

Conference Publication

Synthesis and Analysis of Equine Anabolic Steroid Metabolites

Sortais, B., Hungerford, N., McLeod, M. D., Ridley, D. D., Smart, C. G., McKinney, A. R., Sillence, M. N. and Munn, K. J. (2004). Synthesis and Analysis of Equine Anabolic Steroid Metabolites. 20th RACI Organic Chemistry Conference, Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, Australia, 4-8 July, 2004. RACI.

Synthesis and Analysis of Equine Anabolic Steroid Metabolites

2004

Conference Publication

The Synthesis of the Sialic Acid (-)-KDN and Certain Epimers from (-)-3-Dehydroshikimic Acid or (-)-Quinic Acid

Banwell, M. G., Essers, M., Hungerford, N. and Jolliffe, K.A. (2004). The Synthesis of the Sialic Acid (-)-KDN and Certain Epimers from (-)-3-Dehydroshikimic Acid or (-)-Quinic Acid. Royal Australian Chemical Institute NSW Organic Chemistry Group 25th Annual One-Day Symposium, University of New South Wales, NSW Australia, November 2004.

The Synthesis of the Sialic Acid (-)-KDN and Certain Epimers from (-)-3-Dehydroshikimic Acid or (-)-Quinic Acid

2003

Journal Article

Syntheses of showdomycin and its anomer using N-(triisopropylsilyl)pyrrole as a synthetic equivalent for the maleimide C3-anion

Hungerford, NL, Armitt, DJ and Banwell, MG (2003). Syntheses of showdomycin and its anomer using N-(triisopropylsilyl)pyrrole as a synthetic equivalent for the maleimide C3-anion. Synthesis-Stuttgart (12), 1837-1843. doi: 10.1055/s-2003-41026

Syntheses of showdomycin and its anomer using N-(triisopropylsilyl)pyrrole as a synthetic equivalent for the maleimide C3-anion

2003

Journal Article

Insect chemistry and chirality

Hayes, Patricia Y., Fletcher, Mary T., Chow, Sharon, McGrath, Matthew J., Tu, Yong Q., Zhang, Hesheng, Hungerford, Natasha L., McErlean, Christopher S. P., Stok, Jeannette E., Moore, Christopher J., De Voss, James J. and Kitching, William (2003). Insect chemistry and chirality. Chirality, 15 (S1), S116-S127. doi: 10.1002/chir.10273

Insect chemistry and chirality

2002

Conference Publication

Chemoenzymatic Approaches to Sialic Acids

Banwell, M. G., Hungerford, N. and Jolliffe, K. A. (2002). Chemoenzymatic Approaches to Sialic Acids. IUPAC 14th International Conference on Organic Synthesis, Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch New Zealand, 14-19 July 2002.

Chemoenzymatic Approaches to Sialic Acids

2001

Journal Article

Cis- and trans-3-Azido-oxetane-2-carboxylate scaffolds: Hexamers of oxetane cis-β-amino acids

Barker S.F., Angus D., Taillefumier C., Probert M.R., Watkin D.J., Watterson M.P., Claridge T.D.W., Hungerford N.L. and Fleet G.W.J. (2001). Cis- and trans-3-Azido-oxetane-2-carboxylate scaffolds: Hexamers of oxetane cis-β-amino acids. Tetrahedron Letters, 42 (25), 4247-4250. doi: 10.1016/S0040-4039(01)00660-8

Cis- and trans-3-Azido-oxetane-2-carboxylate scaffolds: Hexamers of oxetane cis-β-amino acids

2001

Conference Publication

Tetrahydrofuran amino acids: Secondary structure in tetrameric and octameric w-amino acid carbopeptoids

Hungerford, N., Claridge, T. D. W., Watterson, M. P., Aplin, R. T., Moreno, A. and Fleet, G. W. J. (2001). Tetrahydrofuran amino acids: Secondary structure in tetrameric and octameric w-amino acid carbopeptoids. IUPAC World Chemistry Congress, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 July 2001.

Tetrahydrofuran amino acids: Secondary structure in tetrameric and octameric w-amino acid carbopeptoids

2000

Journal Article

Tetrahydrofuran amino acids: secondary structure in tetrameric and octameric carbopeptoids derived from a D-allo 5-(aminomethyl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid

Hungerford, Natasha L., Claridge, Timothy D. W., Watterson, Mark P., Aplin, Robin T., Moreno, Andres and Fleet, George W. J. (2000). Tetrahydrofuran amino acids: secondary structure in tetrameric and octameric carbopeptoids derived from a D-allo 5-(aminomethyl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid. Journal of the Chemical Society-Perkin Transactions 1 (21), 3666-3679. doi: 10.1039/b002996n

Tetrahydrofuran amino acids: secondary structure in tetrameric and octameric carbopeptoids derived from a D-allo 5-(aminomethyl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid

2000

Journal Article

Tetrahydrofuran amino acids: beta- and gamma-azidotetrahydrofurancarboxylic acid monomers derived from D-glucoheptonolactone as building blocks for beta- and gamma-oligopeptides

Hungerford, NL and Fleet, GWJ (2000). Tetrahydrofuran amino acids: beta- and gamma-azidotetrahydrofurancarboxylic acid monomers derived from D-glucoheptonolactone as building blocks for beta- and gamma-oligopeptides. Journal of the Chemical Society-Perkin Transactions 1 (21), 3680-3685. doi: 10.1039/b002997l

Tetrahydrofuran amino acids: beta- and gamma-azidotetrahydrofurancarboxylic acid monomers derived from D-glucoheptonolactone as building blocks for beta- and gamma-oligopeptides

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2027
    EAP - Biopolymers to deliver bioactive compounds that reduce enteric methane
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Developing Ion Chromatography Method for Free Amino Acids Analysis
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Harnessing the synbio potential of Australia's stingless bees, the first step
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Developing cutting-edge capability for atypical saccharides in emerging and novel foods
    Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Rapid and Non-destructive Identification of Mycotoxins in Animal Feed Ingredients
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Optimising bioactive content of Australian stingless bee honey
    Agrifutures Australia
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Analysis of environmental contaminants in Australian/Queensland honey
    Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Natasha Hungerford is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Slow-release rumen inserts to deliver bioactive compounds that reduce enteric methane

    Methane emissions could be substantially cut through a $7.5-million project to develop slow-release rumen insert technology for cattle containing a gas-reducing bioactive.

    The University of Queensland and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) collaboration is being funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the MLA Donor Company Limited, to help producers meet the CN30 target to make the meat industry carbon neutral by 2030. The ability to ensure each animal receives a sustained dose of a methane-reducing active agent over an extended timeframe would be a fantastic win for the beef cattle industry, helping it achieve its goal to reduce methane emissions – particularly in cattle grazing extensive pastures.

    This is a large multdisciplinary project and there is opportunity for PhD candidates with either an animal science or analytical chemistry background to be part of this biotechnology project.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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