Dist. Prof. Paul J Moughan

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PhD, DSc, Hon DSc, FRSNZ, FRSC

Current Research

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.

Selected Publications

Professor Moughan has published >400 works of scholarship. Of these more than 300 are peer-reviewed publications, with papers appearing in high impact factor journals including: Journal of Biological Chemistry, Analytical Biochemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry, Journal of Nutrition, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Journal of Dairy Science, Journal of Animal Science, Journal of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, British Journal of Nutrition.

Professor Moughan has edited three text books and is co-author of two teaching monographs.

Professor Moughan’s work has received 13174 citations (Google Scholar, February 2020), with an h-index of 57, and with 243 of his papers being cited 10 times or more. This is a high citation rate for the field.

Riddet Institute Fellow Laureate

Distinguished Professor Paul 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. While there are several Riddet Fellows, there is only one Fellow Laureate at any one time. Distinguished Professor 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.

Awards & Honours
  • Admitted as Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry(2011)
  • Elected to Editorial Board of new journal Food & Function (2010)
  • JM Bell Distinguished Lecturer (cash prize), University of Saskatchewan, Canada, (2008).
  • Honorary Fellow, Centre for Nutritional Modelling, University of Guelph, Canada (2006-).
  • Distinguished Professor Award, Massey University (2005).
  • Massey University Medal for leading research team (Riddet Centre), (2005).
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (1997).
  • Muriel Bell Lecturer of the New Zealand Nutrition Society (1997)
  • Personal Chair, 1996, Massey University (first appointed to full Professor in 1993).
  • Bio Kyowa Award (USA, 1993) for outstanding contributions to amino acid technology.
  • Alltech Medal of Excellence (USA, 2001) for distinguished contributions in the field of biotechnology.
  • Scientific Fellow of the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (FSANZ) (2000-2005).
  • Honorary Research Fellow, New Zealand Dairy Research Institute (1995-1998).
  • Grade Scholar, Tertiary Education Commission, Performance Based Research Fund.
  • Massey University (Newtech) Inventors Award (1995).
  • The C Alma Baker Travel Award, (1989), Alma Baker Trust, New Zealand.
  • Helen E Akers and Johannes August Anderson Scholar (1982).
  • New Zealand University (UGC) Doctoral Scholar (1980-1984).