Dr Marta Navarro
Dr

Marta Navarro

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+61 7 336 51865

Background

I am a veterinarian and animal nutrition scientist focused on improving the health, welfare, and performance of pigs and poultry through nutrition and physiology. My research integrates sensory biology, digestive function, and early-life programming to develop practical, evidence-based solutions for modern livestock systems.

My work sits at the interface of monogastric nutrition, feed intake regulation, the gut–brain axis, and animal welfare in intensive production. I combine mechanistic research with strong industry engagement to ensure outcomes are relevant, scalable, and applicable on farm. Current projects focus on early-life nutritional strategies, functional feed additives, and the use of advanced analytical tools, including spectroscopy and multi-omics, to better understand animal responses to diet and environment.

At The University of Queensland (QAAFI), I lead and contribute to multidisciplinary, industry-linked research programs and supervise HDR students and early-career researchers. My goal is to generate robust scientific evidence that supports more sustainable, efficient, and welfare-focused animal production systems while strengthening the translation of research into practice.

Availability

Dr Marta Navarro is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

My research delivers practical solutions that improve animal health, welfare, and production efficiency in commercial pig and poultry systems. By integrating nutrition, physiology, and sensory science, my work supports the transition toward more sustainable and antimicrobial-reduced livestock production.

A central impact of my research is the development of nutrition-based strategies that enhance early-life performance, feed intake, and resilience in pigs and poultry. These approaches are designed for direct adoption by industry and have been advanced through close collaboration with major producers, feed companies, and government stakeholders. The projects I have contributed to and led form part of externally funded research programs exceeding $12 million, with recent competitive grants secured as Chief Investigator supporting innovation in feed and water delivery systems.

My work also contributes to improved animal welfare and monitoring through the application of non-invasive technologies such as infrared and spectroscopic tools. These approaches support more precise, on-farm decision-making and have potential to reduce production losses associated with heat stress, poor feed intake, and health challenges.

Beyond research outputs, I support capacity building by supervising HDR students and training industry and research personnel in biosecurity, welfare, and experimental best practice. Collectively, my research strengthens the evidence base underpinning sustainable, welfare-focused livestock production and facilitates translation of science into real-world impact.

Search Professor Marta Navarro’s works on UQ eSpace

53 works between 2013 and 2025
All (53) Journal Article (23) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (28) Book Chapter (1)

1 - 20 of 53 works

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Feeding a high oleic acid (C18:1) diet improves pleasing flavor attributes in pork

Navarro, Marta, Dunshea, Frank R., Lisle, Allan and Roura, Eugeni (2021). Feeding a high oleic acid (C18:1) diet improves pleasing flavor attributes in pork. Food Chemistry, 357 129770, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129770

Feeding a high oleic acid (C18:1) diet improves pleasing flavor attributes in pork

Featured

2019

Journal Article

Review: Chemosensing of nutrients and non-nutrients in the human and porcine gastrointestinal tract

Roura, E., Depoortere, I. and Navarro, M. (2019). Review: Chemosensing of nutrients and non-nutrients in the human and porcine gastrointestinal tract. Animal, 13 (11), 1-13. doi: 10.1017/s1751731119001794

Review: Chemosensing of nutrients and non-nutrients in the human and porcine gastrointestinal tract

Featured

2018

Journal Article

Physiological and metabolic control of diet selection

Roura, E. and Navarro, M. (2018). Physiological and metabolic control of diet selection. Animal Production Science, 58 (4), 613-626. doi: 10.1071/AN16775

Physiological and metabolic control of diet selection

Featured

2016

Journal Article

Physicochemical assessment and bioactive properties of condensed distillers solubles, a by-product from the sorghum bio-fuel industry

Navarro, Marta, Sonni, Francesca, Chaliha, Mridusmita, Netzel, Gabi, Stanley, Roger and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2016). Physicochemical assessment and bioactive properties of condensed distillers solubles, a by-product from the sorghum bio-fuel industry. Journal of Cereal Science, 72, 10-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jcs.2016.09.008

Physicochemical assessment and bioactive properties of condensed distillers solubles, a by-product from the sorghum bio-fuel industry

Featured

2015

Journal Article

Combinations of plant-derived compounds against Campylobacter in vitro

Navarro, Marta, Stanley, Roger, Cusack, Andrew and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2015). Combinations of plant-derived compounds against Campylobacter in vitro. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 24 (3), 352-363. doi: 10.3382/japr/pfv035

Combinations of plant-derived compounds against Campylobacter in vitro

2025

Journal Article

78. Heat stress alters acute-phase protein profiles in plasma and milk of lactating sows

Coba, A., Tan, X., Müller, M., Soumeh, E.A., Navarro, M. and Roura, E. (2025). 78. Heat stress alters acute-phase protein profiles in plasma and milk of lactating sows. Animal - Science proceedings, 16 (5), 833-834. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2025.09.079

78. Heat stress alters acute-phase protein profiles in plasma and milk of lactating sows

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, 1-14. 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

Journal Article

Review: Nutrition-based perinatal strategies towards antimicrobial-free systems in piglets

Roura, E., Bogere, P., Liu, X., Taylor, S., Tran, V.H., Chen, S.H., Dunshea, F.R., Gidley, M.J., Navarro, M., Pluske, J.R. and Turni, C. (2025). Review: Nutrition-based perinatal strategies towards antimicrobial-free systems in piglets. animal 101699, 101699. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101699

Review: Nutrition-based perinatal strategies towards antimicrobial-free systems in piglets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    Eliminating pig tail removal to improve welfare and industry sustainability (CRC-P administered by Sunpork)
    Sunpork Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Heat tolerance (HT) in lactating sows: dietary strategies, metabolic biomarkers and microbiome signature
    Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Effects of new bacillus strain probiotics and natural biosurfactants on broiler chickens production
    Bioproton Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Non-MSG umami taste feed additives to enhance appetite in piglets
    Lucta S A
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Marta Navarro is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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