Mariana Caetano

Dr Mariana Caetano

Senior Lecturer

School of Animal and Veterinary Science

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Available For Media Comment.

Her expertise lies in ruminant nutrition and metabolism, with a strong emphasis on maternal nutrition and the optimisation of grain, fibre, and protein sources to support efficient animal growth. Her work focuses on how maternal nutrition influences progeny development, health, and lifetime performance, as well as how strategic combinations of feed ingredients and nutrients can enhance digestibility and overall productivity in beef, dairy, and sheep systems. Through a multidisciplinary approach, she examines the complex interactions between nutrition, gut microbes, animal health, reproduction, and production outcomes. She evaluates a wide range of supplements and feeding strategies to determine their effects on microbial populations, metabolic processes, and animal efficiency. Her overarching aim is to develop practical, cost-effective nutritional solutions that improve growth, enhance sustainability, reduce methane emissions, and strengthen long-term performance in ruminant production systems.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2024 - ongoing Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2021 - 2023 Lecturer The University of Adelaide
    2017 - 2020 Associate Lecturer University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2013 - 2017 Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2012 - 2013 Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2019 Award Science and Innovation, Technology of Information University of São Paulo Brazil -
    2005 Award Merit for the best performance in the Department of Livestock Sao Paulo State University Brazil -

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    Portuguese Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2008 - 2012 University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo Brazil PhD in Sciences
    2006 - 2008 University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo Brazil MSc in Agronomy
    2001 - 2005 Sao Paulo State University, São Paulo Brazil BSc in Animal Science

  • Research Interests
    Animal Growth and Development Animal Nutrition Animal Production Microbiology

[2025-present] Marine Bioproducts CRC. Evaluation of new formulations in reducing enteric methane emissions ($849,290.00). Chief investigator

[2024-present] University of Queensland to Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmBH. Investigation of Sangrovit for heat stress in feedlot cattle ($73,351.00). Chief Investigator

[2024-present] Department of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (Australian government). Investigating the PFAS burden in livestock raised on biosolid-amended pastures ($487,093.00). Co-investigator

[2023-present] Department of Industry, Science and Resources (Australian government). Methane throughout the beef cattle production cycle in southern Australia ($1,605,601.00). Chief Investigator

[2022-2023] Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Agricultural Innovation Hubs Program (Australian government). Methane reduction in beef cattle in commercial production systems ($260,173.00). Chief Investigator

[2022-2023] Innovation and Commercial Partners (Australian government). Beachport Liquid Minerals project 2 ($100,463.00). Chief Investigator

[2021-2022] Innovation and Commercial Partners (Australian government). Beachport Liquid Minerals project 1 ($106,259.00). Chief Investigator

[2020-2021] Fight Food Waste CRC. 20FFWCRC. Livestock and equine scoping study ($99,680.00). Co-investigator

[2019-2023] Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). L.LSM.0026. A novel amino acid approach to lamb survival ($880,481.00). Chief Investigator

[2019] Davies Livestock Research Centre. DRC2019PP1. Breath biomarkers in ruminants ($115,392.00). Chief Investigator

  • Animal Nutrition and Metabolism III (Course Coordinator)
  • Animal Nutrition and Metabolism II (Course Coordinator)
  • Professional Skills in Animal Science III
  • Animal and Plant Biochemistry II
  • Microbiology and Invertebrate Biology II
  • Livestock Production Science II
  • Professional Skills in Veterinary Bioscience II
  • Animal Microbiology and Virology II

Other roles at Adelaide University

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor Reduction of Methane Emissions in Southern Australian Beef Cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Kellie May Wenham
    2024 Principal Supervisor Evaluating the maternal supplementation of bromoform to twin-bearing Merino ewes and their progeny Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Tianna Rianne Boyce
    2024 Co-Supervisor Effects of maternal nutrition on piglet's survival, growth and performance Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thien Dinh Van
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83131128
  • Email: mariana.caetano@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: Roseworthy
  • Building: J.S. Davies, floor G
  • Org Unit: School of Animal and Veterinary Science
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