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)

41 - 60 of 204 works

2023

Conference Publication

Mid-infrared spectroscopy can identify changes in plasma profiles associated with dietary interventions: Untargeted omic screening

Cozzolino, D., Navarro, M., Taylor, S., Ibanez, C., Pascal, N., Tedo, G., Müller, M. and Roura, E. (2023). Mid-infrared spectroscopy can identify changes in plasma profiles associated with dietary interventions: Untargeted omic screening. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.074

Mid-infrared spectroscopy can identify changes in plasma profiles associated with dietary interventions: Untargeted omic screening

2023

Conference Publication

Total tract digestibility of calcium, phosphorus and gross energy improved by a novel consensus bacterial-6 phytase variant in pregnant sows

Kumar, A., Velayudhan, D., Dersjant-Li, Y. and Roura, E. (2023). Total tract digestibility of calcium, phosphorus and gross energy improved by a novel consensus bacterial-6 phytase variant in pregnant sows. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.041

Total tract digestibility of calcium, phosphorus and gross energy improved by a novel consensus bacterial-6 phytase variant in pregnant sows

2023

Conference Publication

68. The fingerprint of volatile organic compounds in swine feed formulations: signature groups and nutrient precursors

Taylor, S., Navarro, M., Müller, M., Pascal, N., Ibanez, C., Wong, M., Tran, V.H. and Roura, E. (2023). 68. The fingerprint of volatile organic compounds in swine feed formulations: signature groups and nutrient precursors. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 13 - 16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.069

68. The fingerprint of volatile organic compounds in swine feed formulations: signature groups and nutrient precursors

2023

Conference Publication

In-feed quinine hydrochloride supplementation improved piglet growth in the absence of zinc oxide under commercial conditions

Garcia-Puig, E., Liu, F., Morrison, R.S., Lisle, A. and Roura, E. (2023). In-feed quinine hydrochloride supplementation improved piglet growth in the absence of zinc oxide under commercial conditions. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.065

In-feed quinine hydrochloride supplementation improved piglet growth in the absence of zinc oxide under commercial conditions

2023

Conference Publication

Umami feed flavouring in lactating sows under heat stress stimulates litter growth irrespective of the crude protein content of the diet

Müller, M., Coba, A., Navarro, M., Tedo, G., Cottrell, J.J., Dunshea, F.R., Pluske, J.R., van Wettere, W.H.E.J. and Roura, E. (2023). Umami feed flavouring in lactating sows under heat stress stimulates litter growth irrespective of the crude protein content of the diet. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.037

Umami feed flavouring in lactating sows under heat stress stimulates litter growth irrespective of the crude protein content of the diet

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

2023

Conference Publication

A new bitter taste receptor gene discovered in pigs: Transcriptomic analysis and experimental validation of the putative novel bitter taste receptor

Lai, K.W., Tan, X., Zhou, M. and Roura, E. (2023). A new bitter taste receptor gene discovered in pigs: Transcriptomic analysis and experimental validation of the putative novel bitter taste receptor. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.072

A new bitter taste receptor gene discovered in pigs: Transcriptomic analysis and experimental validation of the putative novel bitter taste receptor

2023

Journal Article

The expression of amino acid and fatty acid receptors show an age-dependent pattern involving oral cavity, jejunum and lower gut sensing in broiler chickens

Cordero, Paloma, Díaz-Avilés, Francisca, Torres, Paulina, Guzmán, Miguel, Niknafs, Shahram, Roura, Eugeni and Guzmán-Pino, Sergio A. (2023). The expression of amino acid and fatty acid receptors show an age-dependent pattern involving oral cavity, jejunum and lower gut sensing in broiler chickens. Animals, 13 (19) 3120, 3120. doi: 10.3390/ani13193120

The expression of amino acid and fatty acid receptors show an age-dependent pattern involving oral cavity, jejunum and lower gut sensing in broiler chickens

2023

Journal Article

The avian taste system

Niknafs, Shahram, Navarro, Marta, Schneider, Eve R. and Roura, Eugeni (2023). The avian taste system. Frontiers in Physiology, 14 1235377, 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1235377

The avian taste system

2023

Journal Article

Using recombinant superoxide dismutase to control oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract of cyclic heat-stressed pigs

Le, Hieu Huu, Zhao, Weicheng, Furness, John Barton, Shakeri, Majid, DiGiacomo, Kristy, Roura, Eugeni, Renaudeau, David, Gabler, Nicolas Kurt, Leury, Brian Joseph, Dunshea, Frank Rowland, Wijffels, Gene and Cottrell, Jeremy James (2023). Using recombinant superoxide dismutase to control oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract of cyclic heat-stressed pigs. Animals, 13 (16) 2681, 2681. doi: 10.3390/ani13162681

Using recombinant superoxide dismutase to control oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract of cyclic heat-stressed pigs

2023

Conference Publication

Carvacrol diffuses from amnion to yolk where it remains stable in pre-hatch chicks

Meijer, M. M. Y., van den Brand, H., Niknafs, S., Navarro, M., Khaskheli, A. A. and Roura, E. (2023). Carvacrol diffuses from amnion to yolk where it remains stable in pre-hatch chicks. 23rd European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition, Rimini, Italy, 21-24 June 2023.

Carvacrol diffuses from amnion to yolk where it remains stable in pre-hatch chicks

2023

Journal Article

Leucine (and lysine) increased plasma levels of the satiety hormone CCK, and phenylalanine of the incretin GLP-1 after oral gavages in pigs

Müller, Maximiliano, Xu, Chenjing, Navarro, Marta, Masiques, Nuria Elias, Tilbrook, Alan, van Barneveld, Robert and Roura, Eugeni (2023). Leucine (and lysine) increased plasma levels of the satiety hormone CCK, and phenylalanine of the incretin GLP-1 after oral gavages in pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 101 skad175. doi: 10.1093/jas/skad175

Leucine (and lysine) increased plasma levels of the satiety hormone CCK, and phenylalanine of the incretin GLP-1 after oral gavages in pigs

2023

Conference Publication

Increased risk of acute appendicitis linked to biological sex, ethnic background, obesity, and smoking status

Ryoo, M., Hwang, D., Wright, O., Brown, J. and Roura, E. (2023). Increased risk of acute appendicitis linked to biological sex, ethnic background, obesity, and smoking status. 46th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Perth, WA Australia, 29 November – 2 December 2022. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/s0029665123001714

Increased risk of acute appendicitis linked to biological sex, ethnic background, obesity, and smoking status

2023

Conference Publication

Consumption of diets rich in animal protein, saturated fat, or sodium, and low in fibre are associated with increased risk of acute appendicitis

Ryoo, M., Hwang, D., Wright, O., Brown, J. and Roura, E. (2023). Consumption of diets rich in animal protein, saturated fat, or sodium, and low in fibre are associated with increased risk of acute appendicitis. 46th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Perth, WA Australia, 29 November – 2 December 2022. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/s0029665123001258

Consumption of diets rich in animal protein, saturated fat, or sodium, and low in fibre are associated with increased risk of acute appendicitis

2023

Conference Publication

Use of a non-ionic surfactant to facilitate carvacrol diffusion through embryonic structures after ‘in ovo’ injection

Meijer, M. M. Y., van den Brand, H., Niknafs, S., Navarro, M., Khaskheli, A. A. and Roura, E. (2023). Use of a non-ionic surfactant to facilitate carvacrol diffusion through embryonic structures after ‘in ovo’ injection. 34th Annual Australian Poultry Symposium, Sydney, NSW Australia, 6-8 February 2023.

Use of a non-ionic surfactant to facilitate carvacrol diffusion through embryonic structures after ‘in ovo’ injection

2023

Journal Article

In ovo delivery of oregano essential oil activated xenobiotic detoxification and lipid metabolism at hatch in broiler chickens

Niknafs, Shahram, Meijer, Mila M. Y., Khaskheli, Asad A. and Roura, Eugeni (2023). In ovo delivery of oregano essential oil activated xenobiotic detoxification and lipid metabolism at hatch in broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 103 (2) 103321, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103321

In ovo delivery of oregano essential oil activated xenobiotic detoxification and lipid metabolism at hatch in broiler chickens

2023

Conference Publication

Identification of starchy flavour attributes and characterization of distinctive sensory profiles of corn, potato, rice and waxy rice starches

Zhou, M., Keast, R. and Roura, E. (2023). Identification of starchy flavour attributes and characterization of distinctive sensory profiles of corn, potato, rice and waxy rice starches. 46th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Perth, WA, Australia, 29 November-2 December 2022. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S0029665123001878

Identification of starchy flavour attributes and characterization of distinctive sensory profiles of corn, potato, rice and waxy rice starches

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

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact 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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au