Jo Zhou

Dr Jo Zhou

Senior Lecturer

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Dr Zhou is a senior lecturer in Food and Nutrition at the University of Adelaide. She leads the Food, Nutrition and Health research group at the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine and The Robinson Research Institute. Prior to completing her PhD, she was an obstetrician (qualified in China) and a clinical Dietitian (qualified in Australia). Her research has been focused on two areas: 1) Nutrition interventions in pregnancy and early childhood to optimise growth and development of children and intergenerational health; 2) To develop innovative nutritious food products that promote health and minimise environmental impacts.

Dr Zhou is a senior lecturer in Food and Nutrition at the University of Adelaide. She leads the Food, Nutrition and Health research group at the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine and The Robinson Research Institute. Prior to completing her PhD, she was an obstetrician (qualified in China) and a clinical Dietitian (qualified in Australia). Her research has been focused on two areas: 1) Nutrition interventions in pregnancy and early childhood to optimise growth and development of children and intergenerational health; 2) To develop innovative nutritious food products that promote health and minimise environmental impacts. 

  1. Makrides M, Green T, Grivell R, Cheong J, Zhou SJ, Sullivan T, Afzalia H, Best K, Gould J, Mackerras D. Iodine supplementation in pregnancy to improve early childhood neurodevelopment: how much is enough?  NHMRC (MRF1199617) 2020 – 2025, $3,235,960.
  2. Roberts C, Dekker G, Zhou SJ, Perkins A, Grieger J, Leemaqz S. Targeting micronutrients to tackle pregnancy disorders: an integrated approach. NHMRC (APP1161079) 2019 – 2021, $967,481.
  3. Zhou SJ, Makrides M, Quinlivan J, Yelland L, McPhee A, Gibson RA. Omega-3 fats to reduce the incidence of prematurity. NHMRC (APP1050468) 2013 – 2017, $4,021,840.
  4. Zhou SJ, Makrides M, Umberger W, Lenka Malek. Exploring Diet and Supplement Use During Preconception, Pregnancy and Lactation. CSIRO Flagship Grant 2013-2014: $99,000. 
  5. Muhlhausler B, Penttila I, Bianco-Miotto T, Bent S, Gibson R, McPhee A, Collins C, Zhou SJ, Makrides M. How nutrients regulate the microbiome-genome interactions in the maturing GI tract of preterm infants. Waite Research Institute High Impact Publications Project. 2013: $70,000.
  6. Makrides M, Gibson RA, Ryan P, Zhou SJ, Dodd, J, McPhee, A, Umberger W, Muhlhausler B, Collins C, Penttila I. Foods for Future Australians – Centre for Research Excellence. NHMRC (APP1035530), 2012 – 2016, $2,500,000.
  7. Zhou SJ, McPhee A, Yelland L. Are breastfed infants iodine deficient in Australia. Women’s & Children’s Research Foundation grant 2012, $50,000.
  8. Zhou SJ, Makrides M, Shi Z. Dietary patterns of preschool children in Australia: association with nutritional status and BMI. Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Research and Development Grant 2012, $46,000.
  9. Makrides M, Zhou SJ, Skeaff S, Ryan P. A randomised controlled trial of iodine supplementation in pregnancy to enhance neurodevelopment in children. NHMRC (ID: 626800), 2010 – 2013, $1,948,000.
  10. Zhou SJ, Makrides M. Carotenoids intakes of Preschoolers in Adelaide. Wyeth Nutrition Internationals Research & Development Grant, 2009, $30,000.
  11. Makrides M, Gibson RA, Zhou SJ, Hernell O, Collins C, Palmer D, Barry S, McPhee A. A randomised controlled trial to compare growth rates and nutritional status of infants fed formula based on goat milk or cow milk. Dairy Goat Corporation Ltd Research & development Grant  2008-2009, $1,600,000.
  12. Makrides M & Gibson RA, Zhou SJ. Dietary intakes and nutritional status of Australian toddlers and preschoolers. Wyeth Nutrition Internationals Research & Development  Grant  2005 – 2008, $370,000.  
  13. Makrides M, Zhou SJ, Crowther C. Efficacy and side effect of low dose iron supplements to correct anaemia in pregnancy: a randomised dose response trial. Women’s & Children’s Research Foundation grant 2005, $46,000.

2013 - Current: Course coordinator and lecturer in Nutrition I.

2013 - Current: lecturer in Nutrition II. 

2018 - Current: Course coordinator and lecturer in Nutrition III. 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Co-Supervisor Artificial sweetener among women of reproductive ages Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Part Time Ms Saima Shaukat Ali
    2023 Principal Supervisor Optimising sustainability in health care: An audit and evaluation of food waste reduction strategies. Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Miss Huize Ni
    2023 Principal Supervisor Evaluation of the Genetic Diversity in Protein and Nutritional Composition of Australian Faba Bean Varieties. Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Miss Olivia Grace Cormack
    2022 Principal Supervisor Prenatal artificial sweeteners consumption and maternal and child health outcome Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Bereket Gebremichael Menota
    2022 Co-Supervisor Processing duckweed into an ingredient for use in novel foods and beverages Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Chigozie Emmanuel Ofoedu
    2021 Principal Supervisor Food Security and Public Health Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Tjing Shaeny Dian Chandra
    2021 Principal Supervisor Effects of Extraction and Starch Modification on Nutrient Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Faba bean-based Dairy Alternatives Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Olaide Akinwunmi Akintayo
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors Shape Cane Toad Gut Bacteria Across an Expanding Invasive Range Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Jia Zhou
    2016 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Iodine Nutrition in Early Life and Childhood Neurodevelopment and Growth Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Molla Mesele Wassie
    2012 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Development and Applications of Methods for Assessing Fat Soluble Micronutrients (FSMs) in Dried Blood Spots and Plasma by HPLC and HPLC-MS/MS Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Yichao Huang
    2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Investigating the Relationship between Maternal Iodine Intake in Pregnancy and Iodine Status or Thyroid Function of Mothers and Infants. A prospective cohort study Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Dominique Condo
    2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Iodine status of pregnant and lactating women and their infants in South Australia and the impacts of current and perinatal iodine nutrition status on body composition and insulin sensitivity of children at 5 years of age Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Dao Hoa Anh Huynh
    2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Exploring the nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Lenka Malek
  • Board Memberships

    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2015 - ongoing Board Member Dietitian Association of Australia SA Executive Board Dietitian Association of Australia Australia
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2017 - ongoing Member Food Regulation and Policy Committee Dietitian Association of Australia Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2016 - ongoing Member Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology Australia
    2012 - ongoing Member NHMRC Research Translation Faculty Australia
    2004 - ongoing Member Perinatal Society of Australia & New Zealand Australia
    2003 - ongoing Member Nutrition Society of Australia Australia
    1999 - ongoing Member Dietitian Association of Australia Australia
  • Consulting/Advisories

    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2018 - ongoing NHMRC Iodine Expert Working Group Health services and related Australia
  • Editorial Boards

    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2020 - ongoing Board Member Maternal and Child Nutrition John Wiley & Sons Ltd United States
    2015 - ongoing Associate Editor Nutrition and Dietetics - Australia
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83132065
  • Email: jo.zhou@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: Waite
  • Building: Waite, floor GN
  • Org Unit: School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

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