معرفی
Dr Michael Houghton is a Lecturer in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food at Monash University, affiliated with the Victorian Heart Institute (VHI). He holds a PhD in Food Biochemistry from the University of Leeds and a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from Lancaster University. His research is centered on molecular nutrition, focusing on how dietary components influence metabolism and chronic disease, particularly Type 2 Diabetes and inflammatory conditions. He plays a key role in establishing Monash’s molecular nutrition lab and is a departmental expert in advanced techniques such as respirometry, ion chromatography, and droplet digital PCR.
- PhD: Food Biochemistry, University of Leeds (2017)
- BSc (Hons): Biochemistry, Lancaster University (2010)
Dr Houghton’s research spans polyphenol bioactivity, carbohydrate metabolism, mitochondrial function, and gut microbiome interactions. His work has demonstrated how compounds like quercetin and ferulic acid modulate metabolic pathways in adipocytes and skeletal muscle, revealing mechanisms involving PPARα/RXRα signaling. He has developed novel chromatographic methods for precise sugar quantification, applied in both in vitro and human intervention studies. During the pandemic, he led research into potential SARS-CoV-2 prophylactics using lung epithelial models.
His recent publications highlight a growing focus on nutraceutical mechanisms, enzyme inhibition for glycaemic control, and functional food development. These contributions are evident in high-impact journals such as Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety and Advances in Nutrition.
Dr Houghton has received multiple scientific awards, including:
- Monash Victorian Heart Institute Excellence in Research and Innovation Award (2023)
- C. Andrew Ramsden ECR Collaborative Award (2023)
- Fresh Scientist 2021
- Winner of Early Career Networking Event (2011)
He lectures across BSc and MSc programs with 100% student satisfaction and supervises both Honours and PhD students. He chairs the Monash Health Translation Precinct ECR Committee and serves on the Faculty ECR Steering Committee, demonstrating strong leadership in early-career academic communities. He has organized student conferences, peer-reviewed for journals like Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, and contributed to public discourse through media engagements on topics like flavonoids and diabetes management.
Dr Houghton is actively involved in collaborative research, including projects on intestinal barrier dysfunction and polyphenol effects in autoimmune vasculitis. His lab supports interdisciplinary work with institutions like The Peter Doherty Institute and industry partners such as Entrinsic Biosciences LLC.
