Professor Eugeni Roura
Professor

Eugeni Roura

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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)

21 - 40 of 204 works

2024

Journal Article

Non-destructive prediction of fertility and sex in chicken eggs using the short wave near-infrared region

Schreuder, J., Niknafs, S., Williams, P., Roura, E., Hoffman, L.C. and Cozzolino, D. (2024). Non-destructive prediction of fertility and sex in chicken eggs using the short wave near-infrared region. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 322 124716, 124716. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124716

Non-destructive prediction of fertility and sex in chicken eggs using the short wave near-infrared region

2024

Journal Article

Early-life immunomodulation by carvacrol delivered in ovo in broiler chickens

Meijer, Mila M.Y., Brand, Henry van den, Palmieri, Chiara, Niknafs, Shahram, Khaskheli, Asad A. and Roura, Eugeni (2024). Early-life immunomodulation by carvacrol delivered in ovo in broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 103 (12) 104286, 104286. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104286

Early-life immunomodulation by carvacrol delivered in ovo in broiler chickens

2024

Journal Article

Mid infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics as tool to monitor the impact of heat stress and dietary interventions in lactating sows

Navarro, M., Coba, A., Muller, M., Roura, E. and Cozzolino, D. (2024). Mid infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics as tool to monitor the impact of heat stress and dietary interventions in lactating sows. International Journal of Biometeorology, 69 (1), 51-62. doi: 10.1007/s00484-024-02792-5

Mid infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics as tool to monitor the impact of heat stress and dietary interventions in lactating sows

2024

Journal Article

Fermented but not irradiated cottonseed meal has the potential to partially substitute soybean meal in broiler chickens

Ashayerizadeh, Amin, Jazi, Vahid, Sharifi, Fatemeh, Toghyani, Majid, Mohebodini, Hossein, Kim, In Ho and Roura, Eugeni (2024). Fermented but not irradiated cottonseed meal has the potential to partially substitute soybean meal in broiler chickens. Animals, 14 (19) 2797, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/ani14192797

Fermented but not irradiated cottonseed meal has the potential to partially substitute soybean meal in broiler chickens

2024

Journal Article

The evaluation of next-generation probiotics on broiler growth performance, gut morphology, gut microbiome, nutrient digestibility, in addition to enzyme production of Bacillus spp. in vitro

Bromfield, Jacoba I., Niknafs, Shahram, Chen, Xiaojing, von Hellens, Juhani, Horyanto, Darwin, Sun, Baode, Yu, Lei, Tran, Viet Hai, Navarro, Marta and Roura, Eugeni (2024). The evaluation of next-generation probiotics on broiler growth performance, gut morphology, gut microbiome, nutrient digestibility, in addition to enzyme production of Bacillus spp. in vitro. Animal Nutrition, 18, 133-144. doi: 10.1016/j.aninu.2024.03.013

The evaluation of next-generation probiotics on broiler growth performance, gut morphology, gut microbiome, nutrient digestibility, in addition to enzyme production of Bacillus spp. in vitro

2024

Conference Publication

In ovo delivery of carvacrol triggered the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the yolk sac of broiler embryos

Meijer, M. M. Y., van den Brand, H., Niknafs, S., Khaskheli, A. A. and Roura, E. (2024). In ovo delivery of carvacrol triggered the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the yolk sac of broiler embryos. 16th European Poultry Conference, Valencia, Spain, 24-28 June 2024.

In ovo delivery of carvacrol triggered the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the yolk sac of broiler embryos

2024

Conference Publication

In ovo carvacrol delivery downregulated splenic inflammatory responses after a post-hatch lipopolysaccharide challenge in broiler chickens

Meijer, M. M. Y., van den Brand, H., Niknafs, S., Khaskheli, A. A. and Roura, E. (2024). In ovo carvacrol delivery downregulated splenic inflammatory responses after a post-hatch lipopolysaccharide challenge in broiler chickens. 16th European Poultry Conference, Valencia, Spain, 24-28 June 2024.

In ovo carvacrol delivery downregulated splenic inflammatory responses after a post-hatch lipopolysaccharide challenge in broiler chickens

2024

Conference Publication

Several genetic SNPs identified in acute appendicitis patients including the HLA-C known to be related to coeliac disease in a Genome-Wide Association Study

Ryoo, M., Hwang, L-D., Wright, O., Brown, J., de Pouplana, L.R. and Roura, E. (2024). Several genetic SNPs identified in acute appendicitis patients including the HLA-C known to be related to coeliac disease in a Genome-Wide Association Study. 57th Nutrition Society of New Zealand and 47th Nutrition Society of Australia Joint Annual Scientific Meeting, Auckland, New Zealand, 28 November – 1 December 2023. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/s0029665124001721

Several genetic SNPs identified in acute appendicitis patients including the HLA-C known to be related to coeliac disease in a Genome-Wide Association Study

2024

Journal Article

Advancing the decadal plan for the science of nutrition: progressing a framework for implementation

Truby, Helen, Allman‐Farinelli, Margaret, Beck, Eleanor J., Beckett, Emma L., Bondonno, Catherine, Dordevic, Aimee L., Livingstone, Katherine M., Willcox, Jane, Wilkinson, Shelley A., the National Committee for Nutrition and its working groups, Hwang, Liang-Dar, McNaughton, Sarah, Padayachee, Anneline, Roura, Eugeni, Gidley, Mike and Canfell, Oliver (2024). Advancing the decadal plan for the science of nutrition: progressing a framework for implementation. Nutrition and Dietetics, 81 (2), 133-148. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12876

Advancing the decadal plan for the science of nutrition: progressing a framework for implementation

2024

Journal Article

Dietary xylo-oligosaccharides and arabinoxylans improved growth efficiency by reducing gut epithelial cell turnover in broiler chickens

Castro, Carla, Niknafs, Shahram, Gonzalez-Ortiz, Gemma, Tan, Xinle, Bedford, Michael R. and Roura, Eugeni (2024). Dietary xylo-oligosaccharides and arabinoxylans improved growth efficiency by reducing gut epithelial cell turnover in broiler chickens. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 15 (1) 35, 35. doi: 10.1186/s40104-024-00991-z

Dietary xylo-oligosaccharides and arabinoxylans improved growth efficiency by reducing gut epithelial cell turnover in broiler chickens

2024

Journal Article

Carvacrol in ovo delivery optimization and flow dynamics in broiler chicken eggs

Meijer, Mila M.Y., Brand, Henry van den, Niknafs, Shahram, Stark, Terra, Navarro, Marta, Khaskheli, Asad A. and Roura, Eugeni (2024). Carvacrol in ovo delivery optimization and flow dynamics in broiler chicken eggs. Poultry Science, 103 (3) 103443, 103443. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103443

Carvacrol in ovo delivery optimization and flow dynamics in broiler chicken eggs

2024

Conference Publication

Early immune function in the small intestine is modulated by in ovo carvacrol delivery in broiler chicks.

Meijer, M. M. Y., van den Brand, H., Niknafs, S., Palmieri, C., Khaskheli, A. A. and Roura, E. (2024). Early immune function in the small intestine is modulated by in ovo carvacrol delivery in broiler chicks.. 35th Annual Australian Poultry Symposium, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 19-21 February 2024.

Early immune function in the small intestine is modulated by in ovo carvacrol delivery in broiler chicks.

2024

Conference Publication

Development of the bursa of Fabricius is affected by in ovo carvacrol delivery in broiler chicks

Meijer, M. M. Y., van den Brand, H., Niknafs, S., Palmieri, C., Khaskheli, A. A. and Roura, E. (2024). Development of the bursa of Fabricius is affected by in ovo carvacrol delivery in broiler chicks. 35th Annual Australian Poultry Symposium, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 19-21 February 2024.

Development of the bursa of Fabricius is affected by in ovo carvacrol delivery in broiler chicks

2024

Conference Publication

In ovo carvacrol delivery influences yolk sac membrane immune function in broiler chicks

Meijer, M. M. Y., van den Brand, H., Niknafs, S., Palmieri, C., Khaskheli, A. A. and Roura, E. (2024). In ovo carvacrol delivery influences yolk sac membrane immune function in broiler chicks. 35th Annual Australian Poultry Symposium, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 19-21 February 2024.

In ovo carvacrol delivery influences yolk sac membrane immune function in broiler chicks

2024

Journal Article

Excess dietary Lys reduces feed intake, stimulates jejunal CCK secretion and alters essential and non-essential blood AA profile in pigs

Müller, Maximiliano, Van Liefferinge, Elout, Tilbrook, Alan, van Barneveld, Robert and Roura, Eugeni (2024). Excess dietary Lys reduces feed intake, stimulates jejunal CCK secretion and alters essential and non-essential blood AA profile in pigs. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 15 (1) 24, 24. doi: 10.1186/s40104-023-00971-9

Excess dietary Lys reduces feed intake, stimulates jejunal CCK secretion and alters essential and non-essential blood AA profile in pigs

2023

Journal Article

Comparing different techniques for obtaining molecular size distributions of glycogen

Wan, Yujun, Chua, Sheena M. H., Yao, Yin, Adler, Lewis, Navarro, Marta, Roura, Eugeni, Tilley, Richard D., Li, Changfeng, Nilsson, Lars, Gilbert, Robert G. and Sullivan, Mitchell A. (2023). Comparing different techniques for obtaining molecular size distributions of glycogen. European Polymer Journal, 201 112518, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2023.112518

Comparing different techniques for obtaining molecular size distributions of glycogen

2023

Conference Publication

Individual variations in starch (maltooligosaccharides) preference in piglets

Zhou, M., Navarro, M., Tan, X. and Roura, E. (2023). Individual variations in starch (maltooligosaccharides) preference in piglets. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.075

Individual variations in starch (maltooligosaccharides) preference in piglets

2023

Conference Publication

Preliminary screening of the gut microbiota of piglets for antibiotic-resistant genes using a metagenomic approach

Tran, V.H., Navarro, M., Omaleki, L., Roura, E. and Turni, C. (2023). Preliminary screening of the gut microbiota of piglets for antibiotic-resistant genes using a metagenomic approach. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.062

Preliminary screening of the gut microbiota of piglets for antibiotic-resistant genes using a metagenomic approach

2023

Conference Publication

Structure of two novel porcine bitter taste receptors

Tan, X., Lai, K.W., Zhou, M. and Roura, E. (2023). Structure of two novel porcine bitter taste receptors. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.073

Structure of two novel porcine bitter taste receptors

2023

Conference Publication

39. Physiological responses related to acute heat stress decrease over time as lactating sows become acclimated to a hyperthermic environment

Coba, A., Müller, M., Navarro, M., Soumeh, E.A., Pluske, J.R., van Wettere, W.H.E.J., Cottrell, J.J., Dunshea, F.R., Gaughan, J.B. and Roura, E. (2023). 39. Physiological responses related to acute heat stress decrease over time as lactating sows become acclimated to a hyperthermic environment. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 13 - 16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.040

39. Physiological responses related to acute heat stress decrease over time as lactating sows become acclimated to a hyperthermic environment

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

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

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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