Overview
Background
Stephen is a physiologist with expertise in endocrinology and student learning. His research examines the hormonal control of growth, metabolism, appetite, and reproduction - unravelling how hormones regulate physiological mechanisms in healthy individuals versus dysfunction that occurs in disease states. Stephen is also interested in metacognition of learning, self-regulation of learning, and lifelong learning. He is currently investigating how students develop capabilities during their undergraduate studies to support their future professional roles.
Stephen held the position of Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Biomedical Sciences at UQ from 2019 to 2024, and holds Graduate Certificates in Higher Education (University of Queensland, 2013) and Tertiary Education Management (University of Melbourne, 2023). In 2020 he was awarded Academic Leader of the Year in the UQ Faculty of Medicine. Stephen has taught physiology to about 40,000 UQ students across science, biomedical science, animal and veterinary sciences, health science, exercise science, human movement and nutrition science, dentistry, pharmacy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and medical doctor programs.
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
The physiology of phosphorus and calcium 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 are necessary for future reproductive success. With adequate nutrition such bone mineral replacement will occur in the annual breeding cycles of many animals. However in animals grazing native grasslands, such as those found in Northern Australia, phosphorus deficiency is a major challenge. Our research seeks to extend our knowledge in applied 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
2017
Conference Publication
New insights into the physiology of mineral homeostasis in lactation from beef cows
Anderson, S.T., Benvenutti, M., Spiers, J., Goodwin, K., Kidd, L., Fletcher, M.T. and Dixon, R.M. (2017). New insights into the physiology of mineral homeostasis in lactation from beef cows. 68th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science, Tallinn, Estonia, 28 September - 1 October 2017. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers.
2017
Conference Publication
Evidence for decreased bone formation in growing steers under heat stress
Anderson, S.T., Steiger, N., Sullivan, M.L., Stockwell, S., McCulloch, R., Briscoe, S., Cawdell-Smith, A.J., Olm, J., Gaughan, J.B. and Wijffels, G. (2017). Evidence for decreased bone formation in growing steers under heat stress. 21st European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition Congress, Cirencester, United Kingdom, 20-23 September 2017.
2016
Conference Publication
Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations of feedlot cattle during summer
Lees, A. M., Anderson, S. T., Sejian, V. and Gaughan, J. B. (2016). Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations of feedlot cattle during summer. American Society for Animal Science, Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT United States, 2016. Cary, NC United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.2527/jam2016-1284
2016
Journal Article
Dosing obese cats based on body weight spuriously affects some measures of glucose tolerance
Reeve-Johnson, M. K., Rand, J. S., Anderson, S. T., Appleton, D. J., Morton, J. M. and Vankan, D. (2016). Dosing obese cats based on body weight spuriously affects some measures of glucose tolerance. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 57, 133-142. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.05.007
2016
Journal Article
Diagnosis of prediabetes in cats: glucose concentration cut points for impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance
Reeve-Johnson, M. K., Rand, J. S., Vankan, D., Anderson, S. T., Marshall, R. and Morton, J. M. (2016). Diagnosis of prediabetes in cats: glucose concentration cut points for impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 57, 55-62. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.05.008
2016
Conference Publication
Metabolisable energy intake but not crude protein intake or bovine somatotropin increase hip height in Bos indicus cross steers
Antari, R., Kidd, L. J., Quigley, S. P., Anderson, S. T., Innes, D., Mayberry, D. E., McLennan, S. R. and Poppi, D. P. (2016). Metabolisable energy intake but not crude protein intake or bovine somatotropin increase hip height in Bos indicus cross steers. 31st Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 4-7 July 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Differential gene expression in three regions of the hypothalamus of lambs
Quigley, S. P., Anderson, S. T., Poppi, D. P. and Nattrass, G. S. (2016). Differential gene expression in three regions of the hypothalamus of lambs. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 21-23 August 2016. Gympie, QLD, Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Effects of diet phosphorus and energy intake during late pregnancy on performance of Droughtmaster heifers
Benvenutti, M., Dixon, R., Goodwin, K., Anderson, S., Kidd, L., Mayer, R. and Fletcher, M. (2016). Effects of diet phosphorus and energy intake during late pregnancy on performance of Droughtmaster heifers. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15 - 18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
CTX-1 as a diagnostic marker of bone mobilisation in Bos indicus cows
Anderson, S. T., Benvenutti, M., Spiers, J. G., Goodwin, K. L., Kidd, L., Fletcher, M. T. and Dixon, R. M. (2016). CTX-1 as a diagnostic marker of bone mobilisation in Bos indicus cows. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15 - 18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Parathyroid hormone response to long-term phosphorus supplementation in steers
McNeill, D.M., Anderson, S.T., Kidd, L.J., Quigley, S.P., Lisle, A.T. and Poppi, D.P. (2016). Parathyroid hormone response to long-term phosphorus supplementation in steers. 67th Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science, Belfast, United Kingdom, 29 August - 2 September 2016. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers.
2016
Conference Publication
Exogenous bovine somatotropin increases the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 in plasma of Bos indicus steers fed low and high quality diets
Innes, D., Anderson, S. T., Lisle, A., Kidd, L. J., Antari, R., Poppi, D. P. and Quigley, S. P. (2016). Exogenous bovine somatotropin increases the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 in plasma of Bos indicus steers fed low and high quality diets. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, Australia, 21-23 August 2016. Gympie, QLD, Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Effects of diet P during late pregnancy and early lactation on performance of mature Droughtmaster cows
Dixon, R., Benvenutti, M., Goodwin, K., Kidd, L., Anderson, S., Mayer, R. and Fletcher, M. (2016). Effects of diet P during late pregnancy and early lactation on performance of mature Droughtmaster cows. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15 - 18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Blood sampling for P screen - tail versus jugular
Fletcher, M. T., Goodwin, K. L., Benvenutti, M., Reid, D. J., Anderson, S. T., Kidd, L. and Dixon, R. M. (2016). Blood sampling for P screen - tail versus jugular. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15 - 18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Post-weaning phosphorus supplementation restores bone volume in pregnant cors independently of metabolisable energy
Kidd, L., McNeill, D. M., Castells, L., Goodwin, K. L., Fletcher, M. T., Anderson, S. T. and Dixon, R. M. (2016). Post-weaning phosphorus supplementation restores bone volume in pregnant cors independently of metabolisable energy. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 21 - 23 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Bone alkaline phosphatase as an indicator of phosphorous status in breeder cows
Anderson, S. T., Dixon, R. M., McNeill, D. M., Spiers, J. G., Castells, L., Kidd, L. J., Goodwin, K. and Fletcher, M. T. (2016). Bone alkaline phosphatase as an indicator of phosphorous status in breeder cows. 67th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science, Belfast, United Kingdom, 29 August-2 September 2016. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers.
2016
Conference Publication
The use of serial bone biopsies to investigate phosphorus deficiency in growing, pregnant and lactating cattle
Kidd, L. J., Dixon, R. M., Quigley, S. P., McNeill, D. M., Poppi, D. P., Castells, L., Fletcher, M. T., Goodwin, K. L. and Anderson, S. T. (2016). The use of serial bone biopsies to investigate phosphorus deficiency in growing, pregnant and lactating cattle. Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 24-28 August 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
High protein content stimulates bone elongation on energy-restricted cattle
Silva, T. A. C. C., Kidd, L. J., Quigley, S. P., McLennan, S. R., Anderson, S. T. and Poppi, D. P. (2016). High protein content stimulates bone elongation on energy-restricted cattle. 31st Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 4-7 July 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
The metabolic and inflammatory challenges of summer in the feedlot
Wijfells, G., Sullivan, M. L., Stockwell, S., Briscoe, S., McCulloch, R., Straube, J., Olm, J., Cawdell-Smith, J., Anderson, S. T., Le Cao, K.-A. and Gaughan, J. B. (2016). The metabolic and inflammatory challenges of summer in the feedlot. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15 - 18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD, Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Effect of diet phosphorus on milk production in mature breeders
Goodwin, K., Dixon, R. M., Fletcher, M. T., Benvenutti, M., Kidd, L. J., Mayer, R. and Anderson, S. T. (2016). Effect of diet phosphorus on milk production in mature breeders. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15 - 18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.
2016
Conference Publication
Novel physiological responses in phosphorus deficient beef cows
Anderson, S. T., McNeill, D. M., Castells, L., Spiers J. G., Kidd, L. J., Goodwin, K., Fletcher, M. T. and Dixon, R. M. (2016). Novel physiological responses in phosphorus deficient beef cows. 67th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science, Belfast, United Kingdom, 29 August-2 September 2016. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers.
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
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Diabetic Cats in Remission
Associate Advisor
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
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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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Skeletal growth in cattle in response to nutritional and hormonal manipulation
Associate Advisor
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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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