Eric Nanthan Ponnampalam
Dr Eric Ponnampalam graduated in Agricultural Science from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 1985 and continued as a lecturer of ruminant nutrition and lactation physiology. Eric came to Australia in 1989 and joined the meat quality research team, led by Professor Robyn Warner, at the Animal Research Institute, Werribee, Victoria. Eric moved to the Department of Animal Production, The University of Melbourne in 1991, where he worked as a senior research assistant and completed a Master of Agricultural Science (1994). He commenced his PhD in 1996 on a Meat and Livestock Australia Fellowship and was awarded his doctorate in 1999 for investigations of lipid metabolism and the nutritional modification of muscle fatty acid composition in lambs. This work was fundamental to enhancing the nutritional value of red meat – demonstrating that nutritional quality is equally as important as sensory quality.
Eric worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Goat Research Institute of Langston University, USA (2000-2001), before returning to Australia and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. Over the next 20 years, Eric pursued his research interests; determining the influence of feeding systems, animal breed and animal age on production performance and body composition and meat quality in sheep, cattle, and pigs. He has identified blood biomarkers for oxidative stress in live animals for example exploring the role of isoprostanes. Eric has clarified the pathways of dietary effects on animal performance, antioxidant status and muscle biochemistry, and the implications of these on the nutritive value and preservative aspects of meat. This has been achieved through his inclusive research team and collaborators from around the world, including Professor Andrew Sinclair, a noted lipid/nutrition scientist. For these achievements, Eric is recognised internationally as a leader of fatty acid research and its management within sustainable animal and meat production systems.
Throughout his career, Eric has received competitive research funding as a lead investigator or joint investigator from industries, government organisations, and commercial companies. He has been prepared to push the boundaries of research – typified by his study of the potential for synchrotron technology for measuring ovine meat quality, which was at the time very novel. While working as a Senior Research Scientist at Agriculture Victoria, outcomes from two of his research projects attracted media exposure in radio and television news and Ministerial media releases. This demonstrates the positive impact of Eric’s research on economic, social, and environmental aspects of agriculture and animal production.
Another positive impact of Eric’s career has been empowering others, advocating diversity, and leading through example. His research has provided resources and finance for more than 20 honours, Masters and PhD students along with Post-doc candidates to undertake research. Mentoring students is an important aspect of Eric’s research activities as he believes it is vital to support students during their candidature. His research standing and contribution to student learning has led his appointment as an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne.
Eric has published more than 115 papers in peer reviewed journals, ten book chapters, and more than 100 conference papers, newspaper articles and technical reports. He has also contributed invited reviews to international journals, including to Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, Meat Science, and Animals. Due to his international standing, Eric has been invited to become an Associate Editor of Meat Science, an Editorial Board member of Animals, a keynote speaker at international conferences, and an invited contributor to meat science textbooks used globally.
Eric has been a member of the Australian Society of Animal Production since 2002 and contributed numerous papers to the biennial conference of the Society. He has also published many research papers in Animal Production Science as well as reviewed many papers for this journal.
In recognition of his contribution to animal science both nationally and internationally through the application of fundamental and applied science research to the sheep, cattle and pig industries, the Australian Association of Animal Sciences is pleased to enrol Dr Eirc Ponnampalam as a Fellow.