Overview
Background
Stephen is a physiologist with expertise in endocrinology. His research focuses on the regulation of metabolism, growth, appetite, and reproduction - exploring how hormones regulate physiological processes. He collaborates with animal nutritionists and veterinary clinicians, supported by industry partners such as Meat & Livestock Australia, to address critical issues in animal health and production.
Complementing his scientific work, Stephen is an educational leader with a strong record in shaping teaching strategy, curriculum renewal, and student success. As Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Biomedical Sciences (2019–2024), he led his School’s teaching response to the COVID-19 pandemic, earning a UQ Service Excellence commendation and the Faculty of Medicine’s Academic Leader of the Year award. He also provides strategic leadership in the renewal of the UQ Bachelor of Biomedical Science, guiding the development of a future-focused program designed to enhance students’ sense of belonging, engagement, and graduate capabilities. The redesigned program launches in 2026. Stephen has recently returned as Director of Teaching and Learning in Biomedical Sciences for another term (April 2025 - present).
Stephen has taught physiology to more than 40,000 students across biomedical, veterinary, allied health, and medical programs. He has received multiple awards for teaching excellence and innovation, including a national ALTC Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning. He is a Senior Fellow in the Higher Education Academy. In scholarly educational work Stephen is currently investigating how students engage with complexity in developing an advanced understanding of physiology.
Availability
- Associate Professor Stephen Anderson is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Agriculture, University of Sydney
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of New England Australia
- Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, The University of Queensland
- Graduate Certificate of Tertiary Education Management, University of Melbourne
Research interests
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Bone Mineral Metabolism - Calcium & Phosphorus
The physiology of calcium and phosphorus metabolism during pregnancy and lactation is intriguing. Maternal bone stores are often drawn upon to supplement dietary intake to meet the high mineral demand of a rapidly growing foetus before birth and during lactation in the postpartum period. Replenishment of maternal bone stores is necessary for future reproductive success. With adequate nutrition such bone mineral replacement will occur in the annual breeding cycles of many animals. However in ruminants grazing native grasslands, such as those found in Northern Australia, phosphorus deficiency is a major challenge. Our research seeks to extend our knowledge of physiology and nutrition to aid practical management of phosphorus deficiency in Australian cattle.
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Dealing with complexity.
Learning in the 21st century is about developing a highly valuable skill set for the future. Beyond specific subject knowledge, 21st century skills are often defined as ways of thinking, ways of working, and ways of living. Our research focus is on "ways of thinking" which includes creativity and innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, learning to learn, and metacognition. It is about helping students develop the capability to be responsive and adaptive. Stephen's research specifically investigates how students comprehend and deal with complexity, seeking to better support pre-clinical biomedical and allied health students develop such capability for future career success.
Research impacts
Stephen was scientific consultant for National Geo documentary series "Moody Beasts" produced by Wildbear Entertainment, a quirky look at how hormones drive animals wild.
A report to Meat and Livestock Australia on our research project "Improved management of cattle phosphorus status through applied physiology" can be viewed here. Our research formed the basis of an evidence based approach for cattle producers to assess and manage the risk of P deficiency in cattle - see the new MLA phosphorus hub here.
Works
Search Professor Stephen Anderson’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Journal Article
Metabolic and production responses to calcidiol treatment in mid-lactation dairy cows
Rodney, R. M., Celi, P., McGrath, J. J., Golder, H. M., Anderson, S. T., McNeill, D. M., Fraser, D. R. and Lean, I. J. (2018). Metabolic and production responses to calcidiol treatment in mid-lactation dairy cows. Animal Production Science, 59 (3), 449-460. doi: 10.1071/AN16770
2018
Journal Article
STAT6, PBX2, and PBRM1 emerge as predicted regulators of 452 differentially expressed genes associated with puberty in Brahman heifers
Nguyen, Loan T., Reverter, Antonio, Cánovas, Angela, Venus, Bronwyn, Anderson, Stephen T., Islas-Trejo, Alma, Dias, Marina M., Crawford, Natalie F., Lehnert, Sigrid A., Medrano, Juan F., Thomas, Milt G., Moore, Stephen S. and Fortes, Marina R.S. (2018). STAT6, PBX2, and PBRM1 emerge as predicted regulators of 452 differentially expressed genes associated with puberty in Brahman heifers. Frontiers in Genetics, 9 (MAR) 87, 1-13. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00087
2018
Journal Article
Male grower pigs fed cereal soluble dietary fibres display biphasic glucose response and delayed glycaemic response after an oral glucose tolerance test
Pluschke, Anton M., Williams, Barbara A., Zhang, Dagong, Anderson, Stephen T., Roura, Eugeni and Gidley, Michael J. (2018). Male grower pigs fed cereal soluble dietary fibres display biphasic glucose response and delayed glycaemic response after an oral glucose tolerance test. PloS One, 13 (3) e0193137, 1-18. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193137
2018
Journal Article
Serum bone biomarkers osteocalcin and pyridinoline in mares during pregnancy and lactation, and in foals during early post-natal life
Anderson, Stephen T., Kidd, Lisa J., Barton, Anita J. and Greer, Ristan M. (2018). Serum bone biomarkers osteocalcin and pyridinoline in mares during pregnancy and lactation, and in foals during early post-natal life. Research in Veterinary Science, 118, 34-40. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.01.007
2018
Other Outputs
Target dry season weight gains for weaner heifers
Poppi, Dennis, Silva, Tiago, Quigley, Simon, Kidd, Lisa, Anderson, Stephen, McCosker, Kieren, Mohr-Bell, Rebecca and Schatz, Tim (2018). Target dry season weight gains for weaner heifers. Final Report North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia.
2018
Conference Publication
Contrasting the metabolic endocrine responses of beef steers under moderate thermal challenges with pair fed thermoneutral counterparts
Wijfells, G., Sullivan, M., Stockwell, S., Briscoe, S., De Melo Costa, C., McCulloch, R., Cawdell-Smith, J., Olm, J., Anderson, S. and Gaughan, J. (2018). Contrasting the metabolic endocrine responses of beef steers under moderate thermal challenges with pair fed thermoneutral counterparts. International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 2-6 September 2018. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
2018
Conference Publication
Bone metabolism in growing cattle under severe heat stress
Anderson, S., Steiger, N., Sullivan, M., Stockwell, S., McCulloch, R., Biscoe, S., Cawdell-Smith, J., Olm, J., Gaughan, J. and Wijffels, G. (2018). Bone metabolism in growing cattle under severe heat stress. International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 2-6 September 2018. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
2018
Conference Publication
Potential new indices of phosphorus status in growing beef steers
Anderson, S. T., Quigley, S. P., Steiger, N. and Poppi, D. (2018). Potential new indices of phosphorus status in growing beef steers. International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 2-6 September 2018. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
2018
Conference Publication
Variability in growth of weaned beef cattle during the dry season in northern Australia
Quigley, S. P., Streeter, S., Schatz, T., Anderson, S. T and Poppi, D. P. (2018). Variability in growth of weaned beef cattle during the dry season in northern Australia. International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 2-6 September 2018. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
2018
Conference Publication
The management of phosphorus nutrition of beef cattle grazing seasonally dry rangelands
Dixon, R., Anderson, S., Coates, D., Kidd, L. and Fletcher, M. (2018). The management of phosphorus nutrition of beef cattle grazing seasonally dry rangelands. Zootecnia Brasil, Goiania-GO, Brazil, 27-30 August 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
The relationship between liveweight-for-hip height and compensatory growth in cattle
Silva, T. A. C. C., Kidd, L. J., Quigley, S. P., McLennan, S. R., Anderson, S. T. and Poppi, D. P. (2018). The relationship between liveweight-for-hip height and compensatory growth in cattle. 32nd Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia, 2-4 July 2018. Australian Society of Animal Production.
2018
Conference Publication
A suppressed metabolic endocrine state in growing cattle under high heat load
Wijfells, G., Sullivan, M., Stockwell, S., Briscoe, S., De Melo Costa, C., McCulloch, R., Cawdell-Smith, J., Olm, J., Anderson, S. and Gaughan, J. (2018). A suppressed metabolic endocrine state in growing cattle under high heat load. International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 2-6 September 2018. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
2018
Conference Publication
Effects of phosphorus (P) and energy intakes on plasma markers of P deficiency in pregnant heifers
Anderson, S. T., Benvenutti, M. A., Steiger, N., Goodwin, K. L., Kidd, L. J., Fletcher, M. T. and Dixon, R. M. (2018). Effects of phosphorus (P) and energy intakes on plasma markers of P deficiency in pregnant heifers. EAAP Annual Meeting 2018, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 27-31 August 2018.
2018
Book Chapter
Towards breeding for heat tolerance and resilience in beef cattle
Wijffels, Gene, Sullivan, Megan , Anderson, Stephen , Stockwell, Sally , McCulloch, Russell , Briscoe, Suzie , Olm, Joseph , Cawdell-Smith, Judy and Gaughan, John (2018). Towards breeding for heat tolerance and resilience in beef cattle. Breeding Focus 2018 – Reducing Heat Stress. (pp. 31-40) edited by Susanne Hermesch and Sonja Dominik. Armidale, NSW, Australia: University of New England.
2017
Journal Article
The effects of periconceptional maternal alcohol intake and a postnatal high-fat diet on obesity and liver disease in male and female rat offspring
Gardebjer, Emelie M., Cuffe, James S. M., Ward, Leigh C., Steane, Sarah, Anderson, Stephen T., Dorey, Emily S., Kalisch-Smith, Jacinta I., Pantaleon, Marie, Chong, Suyinn, Yamada, Lisa, Wlodek, Mary E., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle and Moritz, Karen M. (2017). The effects of periconceptional maternal alcohol intake and a postnatal high-fat diet on obesity and liver disease in male and female rat offspring. American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism, 315 (4), ajpendo.00251.2-E704. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00251.2017
2017
Journal Article
New candidate markers of phosphorus status in beef breeder cows
Anderson, S. T., Kidd, L. J., Benvenutti, M. A., Fletcher, M. T. and Dixon, R. M. (2017). New candidate markers of phosphorus status in beef breeder cows. Animal Production Science, 57 (11), 2291-2303. doi: 10.1071/AN17363
2017
Journal Article
Utilising mobilisation of body reserves to improve the management of phosphorus nutrition of breeder cows
Dixon, R. M., Kidd, L. J., Coates, D. B., Anderson, S. T., Benvenutti, M. A., Fletcher, M. T. and McNeill, D. M. (2017). Utilising mobilisation of body reserves to improve the management of phosphorus nutrition of breeder cows. Animal Production Science, 57 (11), 2280-2290. doi: 10.1071/AN17324
2017
Journal Article
Prompting undergraduate students’ metacognition of learning: implementing ‘meta-learning’ assessment tasks in the biomedical sciences
Colthorpe, Kay, Sharifirad, Tania, Ainscough, Louise, Anderson, Stephen and Zimbardi, Kirsten (2017). Prompting undergraduate students’ metacognition of learning: implementing ‘meta-learning’ assessment tasks in the biomedical sciences. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 43 (2), 272-285. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2017.1334872
2017
Conference Publication
Postprandial glucose, insulin and gut peptide responses to soluble dietary fibres arabinoxylan and beta-glucan in grower pigs
Pluschke, A., Williams, B., Anderson, S., Roura, E. and Gidley, M. (2017). Postprandial glucose, insulin and gut peptide responses to soluble dietary fibres arabinoxylan and beta-glucan in grower pigs. Nutrition Society of Australia 40th Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 29 November - 2 December 2016. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jnim.2017.04.156
2017
Journal Article
Cutpoints for screening blood glucose concentrations in healthy senior cats
Reeve-Johnson, Mia K., Rand, Jacquie S., Vankan, Dianne, Anderson, Stephen T., Marshall, Rhett and Morton, John M. (2017). Cutpoints for screening blood glucose concentrations in healthy senior cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 19 (12), 1181-1191. doi: 10.1177/1098612X16685675
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Stephen Anderson is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Dealing with complexity: a key capability for university students.
This is an educational research project in biomedical sciences. It is available as either an Honours, MPhil, or PhD project.
Supervision history
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Intake regulation in ruminants consuming nutrient deficient diets
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Hudson
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Skeletal growth in cattle in response to nutritional and hormonal manipulation
Associate Advisor
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2018
Master Philosophy
Salivary and skin biomarkers relevant to perinatal conditioning in pigs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura, Dr Marta Navarro
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Screening for prediabetes in senior cats and metabolomic characteristics of obesity and Burmese cats
Associate Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Post-partum Anoestrus in Bali Cattle under Low-input Animal Production Systems in Eastern Indonesia
Associate Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Biological Responses of Feedlot Cattle to Heat Load
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan
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2015
Master Philosophy
Insulin resistance in pregnant mares:the influence of body condition
Associate Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
New insights into the Reproductive Physiology and Management of the Female Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): Factors affecting the control of the oestrous cycle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steve Johnston
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2015
Master Philosophy
Refining a 'toolkit' for objective assessment of pain and stress in ruminants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rachel Allavena
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome in Laying Hens: Field and Experimental Investigations
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Glucose and Insulin Dynamics of Mares During Pregnancy and Lactation and of Growing Foals
Associate Advisor
Media
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