Dr Natalia Caliani
School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
College of Science
As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Australian Almond Variety Evaluation Program, I support the program’s broader objectives through the systematic characterisation of breeding progenies.
My work is based in applied almond phenotyping and sensory science, focusing on characterising new progenies to support industry-relevant breeding outcomes through:
Phenotypic Assessment: I assist in the detailed phenotyping of new almond varieties, focusing on specific nut quality traits—including appearance, colour, and sensory characteristics—to identify superior individuals.
Evaluation of Growth Habits: My work includes assessing tree architecture to help identify candidates that may be suited to modern, high-efficiency planting systems.
Consumer Science: I implement sensory evaluation protocols to understand how novel varieties perform against market expectations, ensuring that future almond releases are aligned with consumer preferences.
By contributing these specialised assessments to the wider evaluation program, I help provide the data-driven evidence necessary to identify the next generation of climate-resilient and market-viable Australian almond varieties.
My research focuses on the intersection of agricultural sustainability, consumer science, and climate-smart innovation. With a background in vineyard stress physiology and microbial ecology, I have developed a strong foundation investigating how complex biological systems respond to environmental pressures. My doctoral research explored the functional potential of non-Saccharomyces yeast populations in viticulture, examining their resilience to stressors such as ethanol, fungicides, and nitrogen limitation to improve fermentation outcomes and wine quality.
Transitioning into sensory and consumer science, I expanded my expertise to investigate consumer perception and acceptance of novel food products, specifically through focus group analysis of hybrid protein alternatives. Currently, as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Australian Almond Variety Evaluation Program, I lead the phenotypic characterisation of new progeny. My work integrates rigorous nut quality assessment, evaluation of tree architecture, and consumer sensory profiling to identify climate-resilient varieties that meet evolving market demands.
Driven by a commitment to environmental stewardship, I am now developing a research focus on climate-smart agriculture and regenerative systems. My interests encompass carbon farming, soil health, and vitivoltaics, with a specific focus on bridging the gap between land-based agriculture and marine environments—often referred to as the 'blue and green carbon' nexus. My goal is to facilitate the development of farming systems that restore environmental health while efficiently producing food, fibre, and fuel to sustain a growing global population. I am deeply invested in science communication and extension, aiming to translate technical research into actionable techniques that empower farmers to build resilient, profitable, and sustainable farming systems.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 - 2026 | Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Level A | Adelaide University |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| French | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Spanish - Latin American | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 - 2024 | University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD |
| 2017 - 2019 | University of Western Australia | Australia | MSc in Agriculture Science (with Honors) |
| 2014 - 2015 | Montpellier SupAgro | France | Specialisation in Water and Land Management |
| 2007 - 2015 | National University of the Littoral | Argentina | BSc (Hons) in Agriculture Science |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Sumby, K., Bartowsky, E., Caliani, N., Collins, C., Borneman, A., Chalmers, K., & Jiranek, V. (2022). Realise the rewards of a diverse fermentation with less risk. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the 18th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference (AWITC, 2022). Glen Osmond, South Australia: The Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference Inc.. |
| 2022 | Caliani, N., Sumby, K., Sundstrom, J., Collins, C., Kelsey, L., Bartowsky, E., . . . Jiranek, V. (2022). Broadening your winemaking yeast portfolio: Identification of an SO2 tolerant non-Saccharomyces. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the 18th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference (AWITC, 2022). Glen Osmond, South Australia: The Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference Inc.. |
| 2017 | Prieto, J., Aliquó, G., Fanzone, M., Sari, S., Caliani, N., Girard, J., . . . Pérez Peña, J. (2017). Characterization of different South American varieties: yield, berry maturation and wine composition. Poster session presented at the meeting of XX Giesco International Meeting. Mendoza, Argentina. |
| 2014 | Aliquó, G., Torres, R., Hualpa, J., Fanzone, M., Sari, S., Caliani, N., . . . Prieto, J. (2014). Identification of native grapevine varieties at the ampelographic collection from INTA EEA Mendoza. Poster session presented at the meeting of 37th World Congress of Vine and Wine. Mendoza, Argentina. |
| 2014 | Aliquó, G., Torres, R., Hualpa, J., Fanzone, M., Sari, S., Caliani, N., . . . Prieto, J. (2014). Identification of native grapevine varieties at the ampelographic collection from INTA EEA Mendoza. Poster session presented at the meeting of 37th World Congress of Vine and Wine. Mendoza, Argentina. |
| 2014 | Aliquó, G., Caliani, N. S., Fanzone, M., Sari, S., Hualpa, J., Torres, R., . . . Prieto, J. (2014). Wine growing and oenological characterization of non-traditional grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.).. Poster session presented at the meeting of II Simposio Argentino de Viticultura y Enología (SAVE). San Juan, Argentina. |
| 2013 | Caliani, N. S., Aliquó, G., Fanzone, M., Sari, S., Hualpa, J., Torres, R., . . . Prieto, J. (2013). Wine growing and oenological characterization of non-traditional grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.). Poster session presented at the meeting of XIV Congreso Latinoamericano de Viticultura y Enología. Tarija, Bolivia. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Caliani, N. S. (2019). Soil physics, chemistry and the vineyard’s microbiome as drivers of Shiraz wine quality in After Hours Wines, North Jindong (Western Australia). (Master's Thesis). |
| 2015 | Caliani, N. S. (2015). Agronomical, œnological and chemical characterization of non-traditional grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.). (Undergraduate Dissertation, National University of the Littoral). |
| 2015 | Caliani, N. S. (2015). Remote sensing application as a tool for identifying and following vineyards with soil salinity problems in Sérignan (France). (Undergraduate Dissertation, Montpellier SupAgro / National University of the Littoral). |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Caliani, N. (2022). Searching for indigenous yeasts to create tastier wine. Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. |
| 2022 | Caliani, N. (2022). Do fungicides in the vineyard affect wine quality?. Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. |
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2024 - Great Wine Capitals Outbound Knowledge Exchange Scholarship - awarded for an international knowledge exchange program across Montevideo (Uruguay), Mendoza (Argentina), and Casablanca (Chile). Included presenting original research at the XVth International Terroir Congress in Mendoza, Argentina.
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2024 - ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production PhD Scholarship - funded by the Australian Research Council, Industrial Transformation Research Program (IC170100008) and the University of Adelaide
- 2017 - Bec.Ar Master's Degree Scholarship - awarded by the Argentinian Research Council to support professional development for Argentinian researchers in Australia
- 2014 - ARFITEC RAFFIA Scholarship - international mobility program for Agronomists and Veterinarians, funded by the Argentinian and French Governments
Casual Lecturer & Tutor | Adelaide University | 2021 – Present
- Instructional Delivery: I develop and deliver curriculum across Plant Science, Microbiology, Viticulture, and Sensory Studies, ensuring content remains at the cutting edge of industry practice.
- Curriculum Development: I co-developed and led specialised coursework, including the design of 24 x 2-hour postgraduate tutorial sessions focused on wine sensory analysis, featuring custom-built learning materials and hands-on evaluation instances.
- Inclusive Pedagogy: I integrate neuro-inclusive teaching strategies and design diverse assessments to support learners with diverse learning profiles.
- Mentorship: I actively mentor students in research methodologies, including overseeing Master’s and Honours students on biocontrol agents, vitivoltaics, and wine quality analysis.
Casual Tutor & Lecturer | National University of the Littoral (Argentina) | 2009 – 2015
- Practical Instruction: I developed and delivered practical sessions in Plant Science.
- Student Support: I supported students with laboratory techniques, equipment operation, exam preparation, and assessment marking.
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