Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen
Dr

Deirdre Mikkelsen

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 69642

Background

United Nations (UN) member states in 2015 agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen is a microbiologist and Senior Lecturer in Food Science at the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, where her teaching and research contribute to several UN SDGs, including:

  • Goal 2 – Zero Hunger
  • Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being
  • Goal 4 – Quality Education
  • Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 13 – Climate Action
  • Goal 15 – Life on Land

Deirdre holds a B.Sc. (First Class Honours, 1999) and a PhD in Microbiology (2005), both from UQ. She has expertise in molecular microbial ecology, bioinformatics and fermentation microbiology. Her academic journey includes research roles at the Advanced Wastewater Management Centre (2005) and from 2006 at the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences (CNAFS), Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), where she held Postdoctoral and Research Fellow positions. She joined her current School in 2019.

Program Coordination and Teaching

Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen is the Program Coordinator for the following postgraduate programs:

  • Master of Food Science and Technology
  • Master of Food Science and Technology (Research Extensive)
  • Graduate Certificate in Food Science and Technology

She also coordinates and teaches:

  • FOOD2000 – Food Science
  • FOOD3017 – Food Safety & Quality Management
  • FOOD7021 – Professional Experience (Work Integrated Learning)

Professional Memberships and Engagement

  • Member, Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) – Queensland Branch Committee
  • Member, International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) Education Oversight Group – Australasia representative
  • Member, IUFoST – Food Safety Working Committee 2.2 (Education focus)
  • Academic Advisory Group Member, Ag Connections Agriskills Accelerator Program
  • Member, Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)

Availability

Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Food sciences Microbiology Resources engineering and extractive metallurgy

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Microbiology, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

Research Interests

Deirdre’s research focuses on understanding how foods, diets, and nutrients influence the gut microbiota in humans and monogastric animal models. Her work integrates molecular microbial ecology and biopolymer science to explore:

  • The structure and function of plant cell walls in cereals and grasses
  • The fermentability of dietary fibres as potential prebiotics
  • Microbial interactions with dietary fibres using molecular techniques
  • The impact of dietary fibres on gut microbiota diversity and abundance

Research Impact

Deirdre’s research supports sustainable food systems and improved health outcomes by advancing knowledge of gut microbiota–diet interactions. Her work informs the development of functional foods and dietary strategies to promote gut health.

She has published 88 peer-reviewed articles, with an h-index of 30 and 3916 citations. Over 80% of her publications appear in Q1 journals. A highlight of her career is a 2020 publication in Nature Communications, co-authored with colleagues from CNAFS and KTH Sweden.

Search Professor Deirdre Mikkelsen’s works on UQ eSpace

129 works between 2002 and 2025
All (129) Journal Article (88) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (37) Book Chapter (3)

121 - 129 of 129 works

2007

Journal Article

Visualisation of pyrite leaching by selected thermophilic archaea: nature of microorganism-ore interactions during bioleaching

Mikkelsen, D., Kappler, U., Webb, R. I., Rasch, R., McEwan, A. G. and Sly, L. I. (2007). Visualisation of pyrite leaching by selected thermophilic archaea: nature of microorganism-ore interactions during bioleaching. Hydrometallurgy, 88 (1-4), 143-153. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2007.02.013

Visualisation of pyrite leaching by selected thermophilic archaea: nature of microorganism-ore interactions during bioleaching

2007

Conference Publication

Phylogenetic analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis-like species isolated from the oral cavity of Australian marsupials

Bird, P. S., Mikkelsen, D., Huynh, S. C., Milinovich, G. J., Burrell, P. C., Pettett, L. M., Trott, D. J. and et al (2007). Phylogenetic analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis-like species isolated from the oral cavity of Australian marsupials. Australian Society for Microbiology, Annual Conference, Adelaide, Australia, 9-13 July, 2007.

Phylogenetic analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis-like species isolated from the oral cavity of Australian marsupials

2006

Journal Article

Archaeal diversity in two thermophilic chalcopyrite bioleaching reactors

Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Kappler, Ulrike, McEwan, Alastair G. and Sly, Lindsay I. (2006). Archaeal diversity in two thermophilic chalcopyrite bioleaching reactors. Environmental Microbiology, 8 (11), 2050-2055. doi: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2005.01115.x

Archaeal diversity in two thermophilic chalcopyrite bioleaching reactors

2006

Conference Publication

Biodeuteration and small angle neutron scattering as tools to understand the roles of cellulose and hemicelluloses as load bearing polymers in plant cell walls

Garvey, J., Mikkelsen, D., Dykes, G. A. and Gidley, M. (2006). Biodeuteration and small angle neutron scattering as tools to understand the roles of cellulose and hemicelluloses as load bearing polymers in plant cell walls. ANSE/ANBUG Neutron Scattering Symposium, Lucas Heights, 11-13 December 2006. Lucas Heights, Australia: AINSE.

Biodeuteration and small angle neutron scattering as tools to understand the roles of cellulose and hemicelluloses as load bearing polymers in plant cell walls

2006

Conference Publication

Biodeuteration as a tool to study cellulose and hemicellulose interactions in plant cell walls with contrast variation SANS

Mikkelsen, D., Garvey, C. J., Dykes, G. A. and Gidley, M. J. (2006). Biodeuteration as a tool to study cellulose and hemicellulose interactions in plant cell walls with contrast variation SANS. AANSS 2006: 5th AINSE/ANBUG Neutron Scattering Symposium, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia, 11-13 December 2006. Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia: Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE); (Australian Neutron Beam Users Group (ANBUG).

Biodeuteration as a tool to study cellulose and hemicellulose interactions in plant cell walls with contrast variation SANS

2004

Conference Publication

Investigation of pyrite bioleaching by thermophilic microorganisms

Mikkelsen, D., Webb, R. I. and Rasch, R. (2004). Investigation of pyrite bioleaching by thermophilic microorganisms. Australian Microbeam Analysis Society 8th Biennial Conference (AMAS 8), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, February 2005.

Investigation of pyrite bioleaching by thermophilic microorganisms

2004

Conference Publication

Development of molecular methods for monitoring thermophilic chalcopyrite bioleaching cultures

Mikkelsen, D., Kappler, U., McEwan, A. and Sly, L. (2004). Development of molecular methods for monitoring thermophilic chalcopyrite bioleaching cultures. Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Annual Scientific Meeting & Exhibition, Sydney, Australia, 26th Sep – 1st Oct 2004.

Development of molecular methods for monitoring thermophilic chalcopyrite bioleaching cultures

2004

Other Outputs

The development and use of molecular phylogenetic and microscopy methods to study thermophilic bioleaching cultures

Mikkelsen, D. (2004). The development and use of molecular phylogenetic and microscopy methods to study thermophilic bioleaching cultures. PhD Thesis, School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/107280

The development and use of molecular phylogenetic and microscopy methods to study thermophilic bioleaching cultures

2002

Journal Article

Oral disease in animals: The Australian perspective. Isolation and characterisation of black-pigmented bacteria from the oral cavity of marsupials

Bird, Philip S., Huynh, Sharnan C., Davis, Deirdre, Love, Daria N., Blackall, Linda L. and Seymour, Gregory J. (2002). Oral disease in animals: The Australian perspective. Isolation and characterisation of black-pigmented bacteria from the oral cavity of marsupials. Anaerobe, 8 (2), 79-87. doi: 10.1006/anae.2002.0412

Oral disease in animals: The Australian perspective. Isolation and characterisation of black-pigmented bacteria from the oral cavity of marsupials

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Comprehensive use of whole body computed tomography, microbiome and metabolomics analysis to measure the effects of dietary and exercise interventions on body fat content in dogs
    Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia
    AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Nutrition, Gut Health and Environment Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Point-of-care microbiome therapy in koalas during antimicrobial treatment for Chlamydia
    Morris Animal Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Evaluation of bioprotective bacteria to reduce Campylobacter on raw chicken meat at the end of primary processing (Agrifutures funded project led by QLD DAF)
    Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Optimising and industrialising black soldier fly (BSF) production: redirecting food waste to livestock feed production using insects
    Fight Food Waste CRC
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Dopamine as a new diagnostic tool for horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and its effect on the equine intestinal microbiota
    Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Nasal microbiota in shelter dogs and carriage of Staphylococcus spp.
    Canine Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Automated in vitro fermentation gas measurement
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    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
  • 2010 - 2012
    ResTeach 2010 0.2 FTE School of Land,Crop and Food Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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