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Stephen is a physiologist with expertise in endocrinology. His research focuses on the regulation of metabolism, growth, appetite, and reproduction - exploring how hormones regulate many physiological processes. He collaborates with animal nutritionists and veterinary clinicians to address significant issues in animal health and production. His current research investigates phosphorus deficiency in Australian cattle.

Complementing his scientific work, Stephen is an educational leader with a strong record in teaching strategy, curriculum renewal, and student success. As Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Biomedical Sciences (2019–2024), he led the School’s teaching response to the COVID-19 pandemic, earning a UQ Service Excellence commendation and being named Faculty of Medicine Academic Leader of the Year. He provides strategic direction in the renewal of the UQ Bachelor of Biomedical Science, guiding the development of a future-focused program that enhances students’ sense of belonging, engagement, and graduate capabilities. Stephen has also advanced biomedical science education locally, nationally, and internationally. From fostering pathways for local high school students into university, undertaking curriculum reviews for Australian universities, consulting on Nat Geo science documentaries, and developing physiology MOOCs, Stephen has contributed across sectors to shape education, inspire future scientists, and bring physiology to global audiences.

Stephen’s educational leadership is grounded in extensive teaching experience. At UQ, he has taught physiology to more than 40,000 students across biomedical science, animal and veterinary sciences, allied health, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, dentistry, and medicine. He has received multiple university awards for teaching excellence and innovation, including a national ALTC Citation. He holds a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, recognising his leadership and impact in higher education. His current scholarly work investigates how students engage with complexity and uncertainty in developing an advanced understanding of physiology. In April 2025, Stephen was reappointed for another term as Director of Teaching and Learning in Biomedical Sciences.

Dr Elham (Ellie) Assadi Soumeh is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Science and Production at the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Queensland. She holds a BSc in Animal Science, an MSc in Animal Nutrition, and a PhD in Animal Nutrition and Physiology, with a focus on monogastric species, particularly poultry and swine.

Dr Soumeh completed her PhD at Aarhus University in Denmark, where her research focused on the requirements and metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in weaned pigs and the metabolic profiling of high-performing pigs fed optimal BCAA levels. Following her PhD, she worked as a Senior Scientist at Cargill BV in the Netherlands, leading customer-focused research in monogastric nutrition. Her work there spanned nutrient metabolism, gut health, and nutritional strategies aimed at improving production efficiency.

Her current research explores the role of nutrition in modulating gut microbiota composition and function, and how these microbial shifts influence host metabolism, health, and productivity. She is particularly interested in the interplay between dietary components, gut microbial ecology, and the physiological responses of monogastric animals.

Dr Soumeh's work addresses practical and emerging challenges in animal nutrition, with an emphasis on sustainable feeding practices and precision nutrition. Her research findings have been widely published in high-impact scientific journals and presented at leading international conferences and symposiums.

Kieren McCosker has expertise in tropical beef production. Kieren completed an Agriculture Science - Animal Science degree (University of Queensland) and later a PhD (School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland) deteriming the factors associated with reproductive performance in northern Australia beef cows, otherwise known as the Cash Cow project while working in the Agriculture Division of the Northern Territory Government's Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. In 2021, Kieren commenced working with the Centre of Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture, Food and Innovation and comes with approximately 20 years of experience investigating production issues across many facets of the northern beef production system and south-east Asia. Some of his current projects examine the impact of shade and paddock infrastructure on calf mortality, and utilising remote technologies to remotely detect key production events, such as calving and associated maternal behaviours.

I am a Senior Lecturer in Animal Science and Production at The University of Queensland. My research integrates ruminant nutrition, gut microbiology, and sustainable livestock production, with a strong focus on improving feed efficiency and manipulating the rumen to reduce methane emissions. Passionate about early-life programming, my lab explores how targeted nutritional strategies from birth can optimise lifetime performance and environmental sustainability. The work we conduct spans the full spectrum of product development—from laboratory testing to animal trials—conducted in both controlled environments and large-scale grazing and feedlot systems, often in collaboration with industry partners.