Lei Liu

Dr Lei Liu, also known as 'Ben', completed his PhD on 'Phytochemical and Pharmacological Perspectives of Wheat Grain and Lupin Seed' in 2010. Currently, Dr Liu is a senior research fellow at Southern Cross University, Australia. He has a wide research interest in biologically active phytochemicals. Dr Liu has proven expertise in the isolation, identification and quantification of bioactive metabolites. He has studied cereal grain quality, starch digestion, lipidomics, cotton, coffee, macadamia, seaweed, Australian native plants, Chinese traditional medicine and natural pesticides. Dr Liu has published more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Dr Liu has devoted himself to studying health-promoting functional food, nutraceuticals, and environmentally sustainable agriculture. He has worked with several local farmers to identify possible ways to add value to their products. Dr Liu has supervised 10 PhD, 2 Masters and 3 honours to completion. He is currently supervising 4 PhD and 1 Masters students. He is aiming to train all his students to be careful observers, critical thinkers and more independent researchers.

Dr Liu has also developed an undergraduate unit "Analysis of Food and Natural Products" in 2022. He has been teaching that unit and several other undergraduate units at Southern Cross University. Dr Liu currently serves as the Deputy Director of Higher Degree Research Training (HDRT) for the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Southern Cross University. This role is dedicated to managing and facilitating the PhD and Master by Thesis programs within his Faculty.