Professor Eugeni Roura
Professor

Eugeni Roura

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52526

Background

Professor Eugeni Roura is a nutritionist with interests in digestive physiology and gut health, chemosensory science (including taste and smell) and transgenerational mechanisms relevant to chickens, pigs and humans. Eugeni holds a Veterinary and PhD degrees from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a MPhil and post-doctoral appointments at the University of California (Davis). He developed a sixteen-year career in the feed and food industries before joining The University of Queensland (2010) where he currently leads the Nutrition & Chemosensory Science Group. The main current research areas in animal science include appetite modulation in chickens and pigs, nutrition interventions to boost embryonic/foetal development (including “in ovo”), and strategies to improve sustainability of chicken meat, egg and pork production. In human nutrition the focus is around food allergies and appendicitis. In 2011, Eugeni joined the UQ School of Biomedical Sciences as an Affiliated Lecturer. Since 2010 he has graduated 20 PhD students in Australia, published more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, and has been invited as keynote speaker to more than 50 national and international scientific meetings. He is currently serving as President of the World’s Poultry Science Association (Australia branch), Director of the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Consortium, and member of the National Committee for Nutrition (Australian Academy of Sciences), R&D and Education Committees of the Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd., and the Federation of Oceania Nutrition Societies. He was the recipient of the Nutrition Society of Australia 2024 Medal award.

Availability

Professor Eugeni Roura is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Animal nutrition Animal production Biological Sciences Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Comparative physiology Nutrition and dietetics Receptors and membrane biology Zoology

Qualifications

  • Licentiate of Veterinary Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  • Masters (Research) of Nutrition, University of California
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Nutrition, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Research interests

  • Nutrition and Digestive Physiology in humans and monogastric animals (pigs and poultry)

    The discovery, description, and understanding of the function of nutrient sensing mechanisms present in the gastrointestinal tract from the oral cavity (including taste and smell) to the hindgut. In particular, the involvement of these chemosensory mechanisms on the gut-brain axis modulating digestion, gut health, and appetite. A specific research focus has evolved around transgenerational nutrition studying the early development of the digestive system in pig and chicken embryos including “in ovo” applications.

Search Professor Eugeni Roura’s works on UQ eSpace

204 works between 1991 and 2025
All (204) Book (1) Journal Article (93) Conference Publication (107) Book Chapter (3)

1 - 20 of 204 works

2025

Journal Article

Developmental programming in chickens including transgenerational nutrition, chemosensory mechanisms and in ovo essential oils, organic acids, and pre- pro- syn-biotics; role of epigenetic modifications

Roura, Eugeni, Khaskheli, Asad A., Meijer, Mila M.Y., Navarro, Marta, Niknafs, Shahram, Zhou, Xiaodan, Nguyen, Hoai T.T., van den Brand, Henry, Uni, Zehava and Ferket, Peter (2025). Developmental programming in chickens including transgenerational nutrition, chemosensory mechanisms and in ovo essential oils, organic acids, and pre- pro- syn-biotics; role of epigenetic modifications. Poultry Science, 104 (11) 105857, 105857. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105857

Developmental programming in chickens including transgenerational nutrition, chemosensory mechanisms and in ovo essential oils, organic acids, and pre- pro- syn-biotics; role of epigenetic modifications

2025

Conference Publication

Improving starch digestion in barley, wheat and maize by xylanase/glucanase, phytase, protease and their combination in an in vitro digestion model

Liu, X., Flanagan, B.M., Roura, E. and Gidley, M.J. (2025). Improving starch digestion in barley, wheat and maize by xylanase/glucanase, phytase, protease and their combination in an in vitro digestion model. 16th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP2025), Lake Geneva, WI United States, 20-23 May 2025. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2025.07.019

Improving starch digestion in barley, wheat and maize by xylanase/glucanase, phytase, protease and their combination in an in vitro digestion model

2025

Conference Publication

Peri-natal conditioning and early feed intake in piglets

Roura, E., Taylor, S. and Navarro, M. (2025). Peri-natal conditioning and early feed intake in piglets. 16th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP2025), Lake Geneva, WI United States, 20-23 May 2025. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2025.07.086

Peri-natal conditioning and early feed intake in piglets

2025

Conference Publication

Lys or Thr deficiencies reduced growth rates associated with decreasing tail biting in piglets while tail-biters showed signs of disrupted amino acid metabolism in plasma

Abdallah, A., Kumar, A., Navarro, M., Muller, M., Tan, X., Tilbrook, A., Plush, K.J., D’Souza, D.N. and Roura, E. (2025). Lys or Thr deficiencies reduced growth rates associated with decreasing tail biting in piglets while tail-biters showed signs of disrupted amino acid metabolism in plasma. 16th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP2025), Lake Geneva, WI United States, 20-23 May 2025. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2025.07.084

Lys or Thr deficiencies reduced growth rates associated with decreasing tail biting in piglets while tail-biters showed signs of disrupted amino acid metabolism in plasma

2025

Conference Publication

Low protein diet enhances plasma abundance of pantothenate in lactating sows under heat stress

Coba, Astrid, Tan, Xinle, Muller, Maximiliano, Soumeh, Elham Assadi, Navarro, Marta and Roura, Eugeni (2025). Low protein diet enhances plasma abundance of pantothenate in lactating sows under heat stress. 16th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP2025), Lake Geneva, WI United States, 20-23 May 2025. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2025.07.083

Low protein diet enhances plasma abundance of pantothenate in lactating sows under heat stress

2025

Conference Publication

Bridging maternal and weaned diets with a continuity in feed plant volatiles has the potential to boost postweaning piglet growth

Navarro, Marta, Tedo, Gemma, Lopez, Sergi, Anglada, Oriol, Tran, Viet Hai, Taylor, Sally, Muller, Max, Dixon, Amelia, Clarkson, Ryan, Magnan, Marion, McDermott, Katie, Dunshea, Frank R. and Roura, Eugeni (2025). Bridging maternal and weaned diets with a continuity in feed plant volatiles has the potential to boost postweaning piglet growth. 16th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP2025), Lake Geneva, WI United States, 20-23 May 2025. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2025.07.216

Bridging maternal and weaned diets with a continuity in feed plant volatiles has the potential to boost postweaning piglet growth

2025

Conference Publication

Slow- compared to fast-growing piglets have reduced feed intake and poorer feed conversion in the first 14 days after weaning

Bogere, P., Navarro, M., Pluske, J. and Roura, E. (2025). Slow- compared to fast-growing piglets have reduced feed intake and poorer feed conversion in the first 14 days after weaning. 16th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP2025), Lake Geneva, WI United States, 20-23 May 2025. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2025.07.223

Slow- compared to fast-growing piglets have reduced feed intake and poorer feed conversion in the first 14 days after weaning

2025

Conference Publication

78. Particle size of cereals shapes piglet gut microbiota during in vitro fermentation

Tran, V.H., Liu, X., Flanagan, B.M., Williams, B.A., Feng, G., Navarro, M., Roura, E., Gidley, M.J., Wu, X., Omaleki, L. and Turni, C. (2025). 78. Particle size of cereals shapes piglet gut microbiota during in vitro fermentation. 16th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP2025), Lake Geneva, WI, United States, 20-23 May 2025. Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2025.07.079

78. Particle size of cereals shapes piglet gut microbiota during in vitro fermentation

2025

Journal Article

Feeding a Bitter Mix of Gentian and Grape Seed Extracts with Caffeine Reduces Appetite and Body Fat Deposition and Improves Meat Colour in Pigs

Müller, Maximiliano, Tan, Xinle, Liu, Fan, Navarro, Marta, Hoffman, Louwrens C. and Roura, Eugeni (2025). Feeding a Bitter Mix of Gentian and Grape Seed Extracts with Caffeine Reduces Appetite and Body Fat Deposition and Improves Meat Colour in Pigs. Animals, 15 (14) 2129, 2129. doi: 10.3390/ani15142129

Feeding a Bitter Mix of Gentian and Grape Seed Extracts with Caffeine Reduces Appetite and Body Fat Deposition and Improves Meat Colour in Pigs

2025

Journal Article

Review: Piglets’ (re)feeding patterns, mineral metabolism, and their twisty tail

van Kempen, Theo and Roura, Eugeni (2025). Review: Piglets’ (re)feeding patterns, mineral metabolism, and their twisty tail. Metabolites, 15 (7) 480, 480. doi: 10.3390/metabo15070480

Review: Piglets’ (re)feeding patterns, mineral metabolism, and their twisty tail

2025

Journal Article

Gelatin based preservation technologies on the quality of food: a comprehensive review

Ying, Qingfang, Zhan, Shengnan, Yu, Haixia, Li, Jihua, Jia, Ru, Wei, Huamao, Roura, Eugeni, Tan, Xinle, Qiao, Zhaohui and Huang, Tao (2025). Gelatin based preservation technologies on the quality of food: a comprehensive review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 65 (16), 3223-3240. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2024.2361298

Gelatin based preservation technologies on the quality of food: a comprehensive review

2025

Journal Article

Assessment of Apparent Metabolizable Energy, and Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility of Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) in Broiler Chickens

Alafif, Mohammad S., Hoffman, Louwrens, Cozzolino, Daniel, Abdollahi, M. Reza, Roura, Eugeni, Nguyen, Ai Duc and Soumeh, Elham A. (2025). Assessment of Apparent Metabolizable Energy, and Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility of Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) in Broiler Chickens. Poultry Science, 104 (10) 105506, 105506-10. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105506

Assessment of Apparent Metabolizable Energy, and Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility of Full-Fat Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) in Broiler Chickens

2025

Journal Article

Starch digestion enhancement by phytase, protease and xylanase/glucanase in milled maize, wheat and barley grains depends on cereal type and particle size

Liu, Xianyi, Flanagan, Bernadine M., Roura, Eugeni and Gidley, Michael J. (2025). Starch digestion enhancement by phytase, protease and xylanase/glucanase in milled maize, wheat and barley grains depends on cereal type and particle size. Journal of Cereal Science, 122 104107. doi: 10.1016/j.jcs.2025.104107

Starch digestion enhancement by phytase, protease and xylanase/glucanase in milled maize, wheat and barley grains depends on cereal type and particle size

2025

Journal Article

The inflammatory response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide is mitigated by in ovo delivery of carvacrol in broiler chicks

Meijer, Mila M.Y., Brand, Henry van den, Navarro, Marta and Roura, Eugeni (2025). The inflammatory response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide is mitigated by in ovo delivery of carvacrol in broiler chicks. Poultry Science, 104 (3) 104881, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.104881

The inflammatory response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide is mitigated by in ovo delivery of carvacrol in broiler chicks

2025

Conference Publication

Goblet cell populations increase from proximal to distal sections of the broiler chicken small intestine

Diaz-Aviles, F., Castro, C., Naseem, M., Palmieri, C. and Roura, E. (2025). Goblet cell populations increase from proximal to distal sections of the broiler chicken small intestine. Australian Poultry Science Symposium 2025, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 10 – 12 February 2025. Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of Sydney.

Goblet cell populations increase from proximal to distal sections of the broiler chicken small intestine

2025

Journal Article

In ovo delivery of carvacrol triggers expression of chemotactic factors, antimicrobial peptides and pro-inflammatory pathways in the yolk sac of broiler chicken embryos

Meijer, Mila M. Y., van den Brand, Henry, Niknafs, Shahram and Roura, Eugeni (2025). In ovo delivery of carvacrol triggers expression of chemotactic factors, antimicrobial peptides and pro-inflammatory pathways in the yolk sac of broiler chicken embryos. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 16 (1) 8, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s40104-024-01131-3

In ovo delivery of carvacrol triggers expression of chemotactic factors, antimicrobial peptides and pro-inflammatory pathways in the yolk sac of broiler chicken embryos

2025

Journal Article

The in ovo screening of 27 single essential oils showed selective effects on hatchability, performance and gene expression relevant to gut functions in broilers at hatch

Khaskheli, Asad A., Niknafs, Shahram, Meijer, Mila M. Y., Tan, Xinle, Ferket, Peter R. and Roura, Eugeni (2025). The in ovo screening of 27 single essential oils showed selective effects on hatchability, performance and gene expression relevant to gut functions in broilers at hatch. Poultry Science, 104 (1) 104670, 104670. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104670

The in ovo screening of 27 single essential oils showed selective effects on hatchability, performance and gene expression relevant to gut functions in broilers at hatch

2024

Journal Article

Bitter compound quinine hydrochloride improved post-weaning pig performance in the absence of zinc oxide

Garcia-Puig, Elisabet, Liu, Fan, Morrison, Rebecca, Müller, Maximiliano, Lisle, Allan and Roura, Eugeni (2024). Bitter compound quinine hydrochloride improved post-weaning pig performance in the absence of zinc oxide. Animal Production Science, 64 (18) AN24201. doi: 10.1071/an24201

Bitter compound quinine hydrochloride improved post-weaning pig performance in the absence of zinc oxide

2024

Journal Article

Glycogen metabolism and structure: A review

Neoh, Galex K.S., Tan, Xinle, Chen, Si, Roura, Eugeni, Dong, Xin and Gilbert, Robert G. (2024). Glycogen metabolism and structure: A review. Carbohydrate Polymers, 346 122631, 122631. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122631

Glycogen metabolism and structure: A review

2024

Journal Article

Editorial: Avian senses, immunology, and welfare

Nazar, F. Nicolas, Dalloul, Rami A., Fernandez, M. Emilia, Schneider, Eve R., Niknafs, Shahram, Arsenault, Ryan J. and Roura, Eugeni (2024). Editorial: Avian senses, immunology, and welfare. Frontiers in Physiology, 15 1536343, 1536343. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1536343

Editorial: Avian senses, immunology, and welfare

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2027
    Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia
    AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Nutrition, Gut Health and Environment Research Program
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    APL Industry Placement Program
    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
  • 2021 - 2025
    How to make antibiotics in pig feed redundant, naturally
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Heat tolerance (HT) in lactating sows: dietary strategies, metabolic biomarkers and microbiome signature
    Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Dietary fibre and gut nutrient sensing in chickens
    AB VISTA
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Effects of new bacillus strain probiotics and natural biosurfactants on broiler chickens production
    Bioproton Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Improved feed efficiency in finishing pigs using bitter extracts
    Lucta S A
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Improved feed efficiency, control of P2 back fat and maintenance of pork quality in finishing pigs fed bitter extracts
    Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Validating the transmission of crina® essential oils from sow to piglet
    DSM Nutritional Products
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2025
    Peri-hatching strategies to endure enteric pathogens in broilers
    Agrifutures Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Slowing down intestinal passage rate to decrease diarrhoea risk and ZnO dependence in weaned piglets
    Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Automated immunohistochemical analysis module for the expansion of research and clinical diagnostic capabilities at UQ
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Non-MSG umami taste feed additives to enhance appetite in piglets
    Lucta S A
    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 - 2018
    Dietary Supplements to Prevent Heat Stress
    DSM Nutritional Products
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Amino acid balance and appetition in weaners
    Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Genetic parameters for health, survival, immune competence, post-weaning growth and disease resistance of pigs
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    Dietary manipulation of nutrient specific appetite in broiler chickens
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Dietary Na reduction, food hedonism and hypertension
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Development of a commercial appetite enhancer for piglets
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Dietary manipulation of feed intake in pigs by bitter compounds
    Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Sensory specific liking and satiety induced by pig meat flavours
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Nutrient specific appetite and vicious pecking in hens: nutrient specific appetite as a driver for feather pecking in hens
    Australian Egg Corporation Limited
    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
  • 2012 - 2014
    ResTeach Funding 2012 0.1 FTE School of Biomedical Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Peripheral chemosensing and feed intake in pigs
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Development of a pig model for gastrointestinal chemosensing mechanisms
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Peripheral chemosensing and feed intake in pigs
    CRC for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Laboratory for molecular and cell biology studies applied to human nutrition
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Eugeni Roura is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Eugeni Roura directly for media enquiries about:

  • Chemosensing - smell, taste
  • Chickens
  • Digestion physiology - mammals
  • Feed and food intake
  • Food volatiles
  • Human nutrition
  • Mammalian digestion
  • Nutrition
  • Pig models
  • Pigs
  • Smell and taste biology
  • Taste and smell biology
  • Taste receptors TR

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