Dr Andrew Costanzo

Research expertise

Dr Andrew Costanzo is a Senior Lecturer in the area of Food and Nutrition Sciences in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. He is also the Deputy Course Director for the undergraduate nutrition science courses. Andrew is part of the CASS Food Research Centre and is an active researcher in sensory nutrition, with a focus on how taste perception influences eating behaviour and dietary health. His research has led to the identification of novel taste sensations and methodologies.

Professional history

2018-Current   Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Australia

2015-2018         PhD Nutrition Science, Deakin University, Australia

2013                   Nutritionist, Simplot Australia

Research Interests and Skills

Dr Costanzo’s research uses a combination of psychophysical, dietary assessment, satiety/satiation, and physiological methods to understand the relationship between taste perception, dietary intake, and health. He also has expertise in papillae biopsy methods and transcriptomics.

Awards

• Australian Academy of Science Boden Research Conference Judge’s Choice Award (2023)
• School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Team of the Year award (2022)
• Asia Pacific Conference on Clinical Nutrition Best Poster Presentation (2017)
• Nutrition Society of Australia Student Award (2017)
• American Oil Chemists Society Student Award (2017)
• Australian Centre of Excellence in Twin Research Travel Grant (2016)

Publication Highlights

• Costanzo A, Nowson C, Orellana L, Bolhuis D, Duesing K, Keast R. Effect of dietary fat intake and genetics on fat taste sensitivity: a co-twin randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018 May 1; 107(5):683-94.
• Costanzo A, Liu D, Nowson C, Duesing K, Archer N, Bowe S, Keast R. A low-fat diet up-regulates expression of fatty acid taste receptor gene FFAR4 in fungiform papillae in humans: a co-twin randomised controlled trial. Brit J Nutr. 2019 Dec; 122(11):1212-20.
• Bolhuis DP, Costanzo A, Newman LP, Keast RS. Salt promotes passive overconsumption of dietary fat in humans. J Nutr. 2016 Apr 1; 146(4):838-45.
• Liu D, Costanzo A, Evans MD, Archer NS, Nowson C, Duesing K, Keast R. Expression of the candidate fat taste receptors in human fungiform papillae and the association with fat taste function.
• Costanzo A. Temporal patterns in taste sensitivity. Nutr Rev. 2024 Jun 1; 82(6):831-47.