Overview
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.
Works
Search Professor Marta Navarro’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Conference Publication
Strong evidence supporting the existence of “starchy” taste in pigs using a double-choice model
Zhou, M., Navarro, M., Li, S., Diffey, S. and Roura, E. (2021). Strong evidence supporting the existence of “starchy” taste in pigs using a double-choice model. 18th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 15-18 November 2021. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2021.09.111
2021
Conference Publication
Associative expression patterns between amino acid sensors and hormones in the porcine gastrointestinal tract
Niknafs, S., Müller, M., Navarro, M. and Roura, E. (2021). Associative expression patterns between amino acid sensors and hormones in the porcine gastrointestinal tract. 18th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA), Brisbane, Australia, 15-18 November 2021. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2021.09.127
2021
Conference Publication
Increasing monounsaturated fatty acid levels in pork improved the “pleasantness” of grilled loins in panellists with Chinese background
Navarro, M., Coba, A., Dunshea, F. R. and Roura, E. (2021). Increasing monounsaturated fatty acid levels in pork improved the “pleasantness” of grilled loins in panellists with Chinese background. 18th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA), Brisbane, Australia, 15-18 November 2021. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2021.09.157
2021
Conference Publication
The mono:polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio in cooking losses from pork loin is related to the dietary monounsaturated fatty acid content and the main grain/pulse fed to pigs
Navarro, M., Niknafs, S., Asahdirad, M., Dunshea, F. R. and Roura, E. (2021). The mono:polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio in cooking losses from pork loin is related to the dietary monounsaturated fatty acid content and the main grain/pulse fed to pigs. 18th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA), Brisbane, Australia, 15-18 November 2021. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2021.09.156
2021
Conference Publication
High dietary monounsaturated fatty acids fed to pigs improve pH and colour of pork loins
Coba, A., Navarro, M., Dunshea, F. R. and Roura, E. (2021). High dietary monounsaturated fatty acids fed to pigs improve pH and colour of pork loins. 18th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA), Brisbane, Australia, 15-18 November 2021. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2021.09.155
2021
Journal Article
Recent smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 among individuals with recent respiratory symptoms
Gerkin, Richard C, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Joseph, Paule V, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Steele, Kimberley E, Farruggia, Michael C, Pellegrino, Robert, Pepino, Marta Y, Bouysset, Cédric, Soler, Graciela M, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Dibattista, Michele, Cooper, Keiland W, Croijmans, Ilja, Di Pizio, Antonella, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Lin, Cailu, Sandell, Mari A, Singh, Preet B, Brindha, V Evelyn, Olsson, Shannon B, Saraiva, Luis R, Ahuja, Gaurav, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Bhutani, Surabhi, D'Errico, Anna ... Navarro, Marta (2021). Recent smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 among individuals with recent respiratory symptoms. Chemical Senses, 46 bjaa081. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjaa081
2021
Journal Article
Corrigendum to: More Than Smell—COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis
Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B., Gerkin, Richard C., Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica ... GCCR Group (2021). Corrigendum to: More Than Smell—COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis. Chemical Senses, 46 bjab050. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjab050
2020
Journal Article
More than smell - COVID-19 is associated with severe impairment of smell, taste, and chemesthesis
Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B., Gerkin, Richard C., Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica ... Hayes, John E. (2020). More than smell - COVID-19 is associated with severe impairment of smell, taste, and chemesthesis. Chemical Senses, 45 (7), 609-622. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjaa041
2017
Conference Publication
Development of non-invasive methods to monitor the transfer of dietary volatile compounds in pigs
Castro, C., Fuller, S., Navarro, M., Palou, R. and Roura, E. (2017). Development of non-invasive methods to monitor the transfer of dietary volatile compounds in pigs. 16th Biennial Conference of APSA, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 19-22 November 2017. Clayton, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/anv57n12ab072
2017
Conference Publication
A double-choice model to quantify negative preference to bitterness in pigs
Wang, J., Fu, M., Navarro, M. and Roura, E. (2017). A double-choice model to quantify negative preference to bitterness in pigs. 16th Biennial Conference of APSA, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 19-22 November 2017. Clayton, VIC Australia: CSIRO. doi: 10.1071/anv57n12ab081
2016
Other Outputs
Use of nanoemulsions with natural antimicrobials to reduce Campylobacter contamination from the chicken intestinal tract
Navarro Gomez, Marta (2016). Use of nanoemulsions with natural antimicrobials to reduce Campylobacter contamination from the chicken intestinal tract. PhD Thesis, Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2016.56
2016
Journal Article
Taste and hypertension in humans: targeting cardiovascular disease
Roura, Eugeni, Foster, Simon, Winklebach, Anja, Navarro, Marta, Thomas, Walter, Campbell, Katrina and Stowasser, Michael (2016). Taste and hypertension in humans: targeting cardiovascular disease. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 22 (15), 2290-2305. doi: 10.2174/1381612822666160216151545
2013
Conference Publication
Rapid in vitro antimicrobial screening assay against Campylobacter
Navarro, M., Stanley, R,, Cusack, A. and Sultanbawa, Y. (2013). Rapid in vitro antimicrobial screening assay against Campylobacter. 24th Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium, Sydney , NSW, Australia, 17-20 February, 2013. Camden, NSW: Poultry Research Foundation, University of Sydney.
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Marta Navarro is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
How to make antibiotics in pig feed redundant, naturally
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley, Professor Eugeni Roura
-
Doctor Philosophy
Heat tolerance in lactating sows: dietary strategies and metabolic adaptation mechanisms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan, Associate Professor Elham Assadi Soumeh, Professor Eugeni Roura
-
Doctor Philosophy
Unlocking the nutritional value of Australian canola seed and whole soybeans in pig diets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modulation of gut microbiota to improve piglets gut health during post-weaning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura, Dr Lida Omaleki, Dr Conny Turni
-
Doctor Philosophy
How to make antibiotics in pig feed redundant, naturally
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Conny Turni, Professor Eugeni Roura
-
Doctor Philosophy
Non-essential amino acids requirements in reduced broiler chicken diets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura, Dr Arun Kumar, Professor Chiara Palmieri, Associate Professor Elham Assadi Soumeh
-
Doctor Philosophy
Eliminating pig tail removal to improve welfare and industry sustainability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Arun Kumar, Professor Alan Tilbrook, Professor Eugeni Roura
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Modulating early life immunity in broiler chickens through in ovo delivery of carvacrol
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri, Professor Eugeni Roura
-
2019
Master Philosophy
Manipulating feed intake in pigs by bitter compounds
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura
-
2018
Master Philosophy
Salivary and skin biomarkers relevant to perinatal conditioning in pigs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stephen Anderson, Professor Eugeni Roura
Media
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