NATIVE EXTRACTS Position: Lead Research Scientist - Biomaterials and Phytochemistry

Affiliations: School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability - University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 

 

Image:  Dr. Joseph Nastasi NATIVE EXTRACTS Lead Research Scientist – Biomaterials and Phytochemistry.

Dr. Joseph Nastasi Joe will be joining the team as Lead Research Scientist – Biomaterials and Phytochemistry, as we expand our metabolomic profiling of Australian Native plants and non-native botanicals. Joe has been working with our Cellular Extracts for 4 years now, and also published papers on his research. Joe will be collaborating with the NE Technical team as the lead on some of our new ingredient categories as we transition into biomaterials, from R&D to commercialisation.  Joseph is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow within the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. He has worked as a Food Chemistry lecturer for the University of Queensland and continues to work privately across the Australian Native food industry. He completed his undergraduate studies with Honours Class 1 in Food Science and Technology at the University of Queensland in 2019 and his PhD in Food chemistry, metabolomics, and sustainable material science at the University of Queensland in 2024.

 

His current research at NATIVE EXTRACTS focuses on the application of high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms for the profiling of secondary metabolites in foods and plants. In addition, he also has research interests in the development of biopolymer materials containing natural plant additives for food, cosmetic, and medical applications.  

Joseph works extensively with Indigenous communities across Queensland to identify new and emerging native plants with commercial potential as well as industry bodies/collectives specialising in the cultivation and commercial sale of native plants and foods.  

After 4 years of working together, it is such a natural progression for Joe to join the team! 

Super excited to announce our new projects over the next 12 months. 

When asked about joining NATIVE EXTRACTS Joe said:

 “I’ve been working remotely with NATIVE EXTRACTS for over four years now during and after my PhD studies.

I first heard about NATIVE EXTRACTS in 2019 when I was researching Australian companies operating within the Australian native plant extract space. I was immediately impressed that the company had already cemented its place at the front of this field as an ethical and sustainable company with a proven track record of engaging with First Nations communities.

So, I thought to myself this is a group of people who align with my values when it comes to working with Australian genetic resources and producing research. I know that by working alongside NATIVE EXTRACTS we will be able to change the way the industry interacts and works alongside First Nations communities.

Working with NATIVE EXTRACTS allows me to exercise my scientific education to empower indigenous communities while also expanding our current understanding of the complexity of Australian native plant profiles. I feel privileged to continue my journey with NATIVE EXTRACTS and further explore my passion for profiling bioactive compounds as well as biopolymer-based material development.

With a history in the analytical chemical profiling of foods and plants, as well as a strong foundation in sustainable material development, I plan to merge my understanding of physical and organic chemistry to develop novel biodegradable materials that are incorporated with plant extracts. 

“The NATIVE EXTRACTS team and I are driven to take plant profiling to new levels, with new analytical data, testing technology, new target botanicals along with new delivery systems”. Lisa Carroll, owner NATIVE EXTRACTS. 

 

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

Journal Article 

Alagappan, Shanmugam, Ma, Siyu, Nastasi, Joseph Robert, Hoffman, Louwrens C. and Cozzolino, Daniel (2024). Evaluating the Use of Vibrational Spectroscopy to Detect the Level of Adulteration of Cricket Powder in Plant Flours: The Effect of the Matrix. Sensors, 24 (3) 924, 924. doi: 10.3390/s24030924

Conference Paper

Soumeh, E.A., Nastasi, J., James, S.E., Staveley, L.M., Plush, K.J. and Nowland, T.L. (2023).Blood metabolic profile of sows fed high and low fibre diets prior to farrowing. Manipulating Pig Production XIX, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-16 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.09.036

University of Queensland Profile 

Dr. Joseph Nastasi 

• Profile: https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/42829

Related Papers 

Nastasi, J., Fitzgerald, M., Kontogiorgos, V., (2023) Tuning the mechanical properties of pectin films with polyphenol-rich plant extracts. 

Nastasi JR, Daygon VD, Kontogiorgos V, Fitzgerald MA. Qualitative Analysis of Polyphenols in Glycerol Plant Extracts Using Untargeted Metabolomics. Metabolites. 2023; 13(4):566. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13040566  

Shanmugam Alagappan, Siyu Ma, Joseph Robert Nastasi, Louwrens C Hoffman, Daniel Cozzolino Evaluating the Use of Vibrational Spectroscopy to Detect the Level of Adulteration of Cricket Powder in Plant Flours: The Effect of the Matrix