Dist. Prof Paul J Moughan

Distinguished Professor Paul James Moughan is an acclaimed New Zealand scientist widely recognized for his contributions to science, university leadership and international advocacy.  

He is currently Acting Director of the Riddet Institute.

Professor Moughan graduated PhD from Massey University in the area of mammalian protein metabolism in 1984. His early research career focused on digestive physiology and the mathematical modelling of amino acid digestion and metabolism in monogastric species of animal, especially avian, porcine, feline and human. Over the last 20 years he has led a systematic discovery-based research programme into the effects of diet on gut metabolism and digestion and, amongst other discoveries, is credited with establishing the role of food peptides in influencing gut protein metabolism. He has also made significant contributions to knowledge in the chemical analysis of foods and the development of bioassays of nutrient availability. The latter have had considerable application in practice. He is widely regarded as a world authority on mammalian and human protein metabolism and food evaluation science. He is a world leader in the field of protein quality evaluation. Professor Moughan has published >500 works of scholarship. 

SCIENCE 

Prof Moughan is a prolific scientist of international repute working in areas of digestive physiology and food chemistry. His scientific advances have been recognised by the receipt of numerous awards including: Doctor of Science, Massey University; Wageningen University Supreme Silver Medal, the Netherlands; Honorary Doctor of Science, the  University of Guelph, Canada; Alltech Medal of Honor, USA; Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand; Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England; New Zealand Prime Minister’s Science Prize. 

UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP 

Prof Moughan has experience in transformational University leadership including: Founding Director of Massey University’s Monogastric Research Centre, the Milk and Health Research Centre, and the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health. He founded and was Co-Director of the Riddet Institute National Centre of Research Excellence, the University of Auckland, University of Otago, Massey University and the Bioeconomy Science Institute. 

INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE ADVOCACY 

Prof Moughan promotes New Zealand science on the global stage: > 400 invited scientific addresses;  Advisory Board Member of Ralston Purina International, USA; Director, Gardiner Foundation, Australia; Chair of reviews of overseas universities and science bodies including CSIRO, Australia; Appointee to Global Food Security Thinktank of the International Academy Partnership, Germany; Advisor to FAO/WHO of the United Nations and to USAID; Chair of FAO Expert Consultation on Protein Quality in Humans leading to a new global system for describing protein quality in humans. He is an advisor to multiple companies, universities, research funding bodies and organisations such as the Gates Foundation, Seattle and the Global Dairy Platform, Chicago. 

RIDDET INSTITUTE FELLOW LAUREATE
Prof Moughan stepped down as co-Director of the Riddet Institute at the end of 2017. In recognition of his past and ongoing contributions, he accepted the position of Riddet Institute Fellow Laureate. This title is honorific and is the highest honour bestowed by the Institute. Prof Moughan provides high-level strategic advice to the Institute and related parties on an invited basis. He remains a Principal Investigator in the CoRE and retains a close connection to the Institute through his leadership of key projects such as the International research programme, Proteos and the Massey- Alpha Natural Nutraceuticals Research Centre.