Biography
Dr David Francis has a BSc (Hons) in Fisheries Management and Aquaculture and a PhD in Aquaculture Nutrition. He has held various research and teaching positions and joined the School of Life and Environmental Sciences in 2015 as a Senior Lecture in Aquaculture Nutrition.
David's research interests span protein, lipid and carbohydrate nutrition, placing a particular focus on sustainable aquafeed development, nutritional biomarkers of organism health, and the establishment of new aquaculture species. David's contributions to aquaculture have been recognised by way of international awards and fellowships, where his work has ultimately assisted in the sustainable expansion of the aquaculture industry towards the production of fish and seafood for a growing global population.
Read more on David's profileCareer highlights
2015 - Present: Senior Lecturer in Aquaculture Nutrition, Deakin University
2011 - 2015: Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science, QLD, Australia
2009 - 2011: Lecturer, Deakin University
2007 - 2009: Research Fellow, Deakin University
Research interests
Nutrition (larval, crustacean and finfish)
Sustainable aquaculture production
Nutritional biomarkers of organism health and resilience
Lipid metabolism (lipid classes and fatty acids)
Nutritional ecology
New aquaculture species
Novel ingredient identification and testing
Units taught
SLE161 - Aquaculture and the Environment
Knowledge areas
Aquaculture
Fish nutrition
Crustacean nutrition
Larval biology
Nutritional biomarkers
Fatty acids
Aquaculture sustainability
Professional activities
Editorial board of 'Fishes'
Reviewer for >10 international journals (Aquaculture, Aquaculture Nutrition, Aquaculture Research, Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, British Journal of Nutrition, Journal of Nutrition, Food Chemistry, Journal of Food Science, Reviews in Aquaculture, PLoS one, Journal of Food Science etc)
Awards
2012: Australian Academy of Science - Travel Fellowship
2012: Australasian Aquaculture Award
Publications
T Mock, D Francis, D Drumm, V Versace, B Glencross, R Smullen, M Jago, G Turchini
(2020), Vol. 516, pp. 1-13, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
X Long, Q Guo, X Wang, D Francis, Y Cheng, X Wu
(2020), Vol. 519, pp. 1-11, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
A Basford, B Mos, D Francis, G Turchini, C White, S Dworjanyn
(2020), Vol. 523, pp. 1-12, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Temperature alters reproduction and maternal provisioning in a fish ectoparasite
A Brazenor, D Francis, J Conlan, A Carton, K Hutson
(2020), Vol. 50, pp. 839-849, International Journal for Parasitology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Angela Liu, Igor Pirozzi, Basseer Codabaccus, Frances Stephens, David Francis, Jesmond Sammut, Mark Booth
(2020), British Journal of Nutrition, Cambridge, Eng., C1
Seasonal variation in the lipid profile of Acropora millepora at Halfway Island, Great Barrier Reef
J Conlan, L Bay, A Jones, A Thompson, D Francis
(2020), pp. 1-13, Coral Reefs, Berlin, Germany, C1
Are fish what they eat? A fatty acid's perspective
Houguo Xu, Giovanni Turchini, David Francis, Mengqing Liang, Thomas Mock, Artur Rombenso, Qinghui Ai
(2020), Vol. 80, Progress in Lipid Research, Oxford, Eng., C1
Hillary Smith, Jessica Conlan, F Pollock, Naohisa Wada, Amanda Shore, Julia Hung, Greta Aeby, Bette Willis, David Francis, David Bourne
(2020), Vol. 10, pp. 1-14, Scientific Reports, London, Eng., C1
T Mock, D Francis, M Jago, P Miles, B Glencross, R Smullen, R Keast, G Turchini
(2020), pp. 1-14, Aquaculture Nutrition, London, Eng., C1
M Lewis, D Francis, D Blyth, F Moyano, R Smullen, G Turchini, M Booth
(2019), Vol. 498, pp. 187-200, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
T Mock, D Francis, M Jago, B Glencross, R Smullen, R Keast, G Turchini
(2019), Vol. 499, pp. 167-177, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
T Mock, D Francis, M Jago, B Glencross, R Smullen, R Keast, G Turchini
(2019), Vol. 501, pp. 191-201, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
M Rocker, C Kenkel, D Francis, B Willis, L Bay
(2019), Vol. 511, pp. 40-53, Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
M Rocker, D Francis, K Fabricius, B Willis, L Bay
(2019), Vol. 38, pp. 215-228, Coral reefs, Berlin, Germany, C1
Endogenous biosynthesis of n-3 LC PUFA in Atlantic salmon
T Mock, D Francis, M Jago, B Glencross, R Smullen, G Turchini
(2019), Vol. 121, pp. 1108-1123, British journal of nutrition, Cambridge, Eng., C1
F Warren-Myers, S Swearer, D Francis, G Turchini, T Dempster
(2019), Vol. 11, pp. 143-148, Aquaculture environment interactions, Oldendorf, Germany, C1
M Liu, Q Feng, D Francis, G Turchini, C Zeng, X Wu
(2019), Vol. 213, pp. 1-8, Aquatic toxicology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Effects of PUFA-enriched Artemia on the early growth and fatty acid composition of Murray cod larvae
D Francis, B Cleveland, P Jones, G Turchini, J Conlan
(2019), Vol. 513, pp. 1-9, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Elucidating an optimal diet for captive Acropora corals
J Conlan, C Humphrey, A Severati, C Parrish, D Francis
(2019), Vol. 513, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
G Turchini, K Hermon, D Francis
(2018), Vol. 491, pp. 391-397, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
J Conlan, C Humphrey, A Severati, D Francis
(2018), pp. 1-20, PeerJ, London, Eng., C1
H Bennett, J Bell, S Davy, N Webster, D Francis
(2018), Vol. 24, pp. 3130-3144, Global change biology, Chichester, Eng., C1
Genes for de novo biosynthesis of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are widespread in animals
N Kabeya, M Fonseca, D Ferrier, J Navarro, L Bay, D Francis, D Tocher, L Castro, Ó Monroig
(2018), Vol. 4, pp. 1-8, Science advances, Washington, D.C., C1
Barrens of gold: gonad conditioning of an overabundant sea urchin
Cassandra Pert, Stephen Swearer, Symon Dworjanyn, Nina Kriegisch, Giovanni Turchini, David Francis, Tim Dempster
(2018), Vol. 10, pp. 345-361, Aquaculture environment interactions, Oldendorf, Germany, C1
Jessica Conlan, Line Bay, Andrea Severati, Craig Humphrey, David Francis
(2018), Vol. 13, PLoS one, San Francisco, Calif., C1
D Francis, G Turchini
(2017), Vol. 468, pp. 184-192, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
J Mellery, J Brel, J Dort, F Geay, P Kestemont, D Francis, Y Larondelle, X Rollin
(2017), Vol. 117, pp. 187-199, British journal of nutrition, Cambridge, Eng., C1
N Duy, D Francis, P Southgate
(2017), Vol. 473, pp. 97-104, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
C Mellin, C Lugrin, K Okaji, D Francis, S Uthicke
(2017), Vol. 9, pp. 1-16, Diversity, Basel, Switzerland, C1
M Rocker, D Francis, K Fabricius, B Willis, L Bay
(2017), Vol. 119, pp. 106-119, Marine pollution bulletin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
J Conlan, M Rocker, D Francis
(2017), Vol. 5, pp. 1-21, PeerJ, San Diego, Calif., C1
Biochemical composition of marine monogenean parasite eggs
A Brazenor, D Francis, K Hutson, A Carton
(2017), Vol. 218, pp. 1-3, Molecular and biochemical parasitology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
J Conlan, C Humphrey, A Severati, D Francis
(2017), Vol. 12, pp. 1-20, PLoS one, San Francisco, Calif., C1
Food preferences of juvenile corallivorous crown-of-thorns (Acanthaster planci) sea stars
C Johansson, D Francis, S Uthicke
(2016), Vol. 163, pp. 1-7, Marine Biology: international journal on life in oceans and coastal waters, Berlin, Germany, C1
J Strahl, D Francis, J Doyle, C Humphrey, K Fabricius
(2016), Vol. 73, pp. 897-909, ICES Journal of marine science: journal du conseil, Oxford, Eng., C1
Use of micro-algae concentrates for hatchery culture of sandfish, Holothuria scabra
N Duy, D Francis, I Pirozzi, P Southgate
(2016), Vol. 464, pp. 145-152, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
N Duy, D Francis, P Southgate
(2016), Vol. 465, pp. 144-151, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
S Gamble, I Pirozzi, M Hall, C Zeng, J Conlan, D Francis
(2015), Vol. 440, pp. 17-24, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
S Uthicke, M Logan, M Liddy, D Francis, N Hardy, M Lamare
(2015), Vol. 5, pp. 1-8, Scientific reports, London, Eng., C1-1
The orexinergic system in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and its regulation by dietary lipids
E Varricchio, F Russo, E Coccia, G Turchini, D Francis, M Paolucci
(2015), Vol. 78, pp. 707-714, Microscopy research and technique, Weinheim, Germany, C1
D Francis, T Thanuthong, S Senadheera, M Paolucci, E Coccia, S De Silva, G Turchini
(2014), Vol. 40, pp. 577-593, Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, C1
J Conlan, P Jones, G Turchini, M Hall, D Francis
(2014), Vol. 434, pp. 159-170, Aquaculture, Amsterdam, Netherlands, C1
Fatty acid-specific alterations in leptin, PPARα, and CPT-1 gene expression in the rainbow trout
E Coccia, E Varricchio, P Vito, G Turchini, D Francis, M Paolucci
(2014), Vol. 49, pp. 1033-1046, Lipids, Heidelberg , Germany, C1
Palinurid lobster aquaculture: nutritional progress and considerations for successful larval rearing
David Francis, Matt Salmon, Matt Kenway, Michael Hall
(2014), Vol. 6, pp. 180-203, Reviews in aquaculture, London, Eng., C1-1
Palinurid lobster larval rearing for closed-cycle hatchery production
M Hall, M Kenway, M Salmon, D Francis, E Goulden, L Hoj
(2013), pp. 289-338, Advances in aquaculture hatchery technology, Oxford, Eng., B1-1
G Turchini, V Moretti, K Hermon, F Caprino, M Busetto, F Bellagamba, T Rankin, R Keast, D Francis
(2013), Vol. 141, pp. 1335-1344, Food Chemistry, C1
G Turchini, K Hermon, B Cleveland, J Emery, T Rankin, D Francis
(2013), Vol. 19, pp. 82-94, Aquaculture nutrition, London, England, C1
G Turchini, K Hermon, V Moretti, F Caprino, M Busetto, F Bellagamba, T Rankin, D Francis
(2013), Vol. 19, pp. 95-109, Aquaculture nutrition, London, England, C1
S De Silva, G Turchini, D Francis
(2012), pp. 164-187, Aquaculture : farming aquatic animals and plants, Chichester, England, B1
S Senadheera, G Turchini, T Thanuthong, D Francis
(2012), Vol. 342-343, pp. 80-88, Aquaculture, C1
S Senadheera, G Turchini, T Thanuthong, D Francis
(2012), Vol. 60, pp. 2343-2353, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, C1
T Thanuthong, D Francis, S Senadheera, P Jones, G Turchini
(2012), Vol. 18, pp. 441-456, Aquaculture Nutrition, C1
E Varricchio, F Russo, E Coccia, G Turchini, D Francis, P De Girolamo, M Paolucci
(2012), Vol. 75, pp. 771-780, Microscopy Research and Technique, C1
B Cleveland, D Francis, G Turchini
(2012), Vol. 142, pp. 1449-1455, Journal of Nutrition, C1
Fish oil in aquaculture : in retrospect
S De Silva, D Francis, A Tacon
(2011), pp. 1-20, Fish oil replacement and alternative lipid sources in aquaculture feeds, Boca Raton, Flo., B1
n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich vegetable oils and blends
D Tocher, D Francis, K Coupland
(2011), pp. 209-244, Fish oil replacement and alternative lipid sources in aquaculture feeds, Boca Raton, Flo., B1
Transforming salmonid aquaculture from a consumer to a producer of long chain omega-3 fatty acids
G Turchini, D Francis, R Keast, A Sinclair
(2011), Vol. 124, pp. 609-614, Food Chemistry, C1
F Bellagamba, F Caprino, M Busetto, D Francis, M Vasconi, G Turchini, V Moretti
(2011), Vol. 317, pp. 124-132, Aquaculture, C1
S Senadheera, G Turchini, T Thanuthong, D Francis
(2011), Vol. 59, pp. 1020-1030, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, C1
T Thanuthong, D Francis, S Senadheera, P Jones, G Turchini
(2011), Vol. 320, pp. 82-90, Aquaculture, C1
G Turchini, D Francis, S Senadheera, T Thanuthong, S De Silva
(2011), Vol. 315, pp. 250-259, Aquaculture, C1
T Thanuthong, D Francis, S Senadheera, P Jones, G Turchini
(2011), Vol. 46, pp. 1111-1127, Lipids, C1
T Thanuthong, D Francis, E Manickam, S Senadheera, D Cameron-Smith, G Turchini
(2011), Vol. 322-323, pp. 99-108, Aquaculture, C1
G Turchini, S De Smet, D Francis
(2011), pp. 69-76, Recent advances in animal nutrition - Australia, v.18, Armidale, N. S. W., E1
Can dietary lipid source circadian alternation improve omega-3 deposition in rainbow trout?
T Brown, D Francis, G Turchini
(2010), Vol. 300, pp. 148-155, Aquaculture, C1
S Senadheera, G Turchini, T Thanuthong, D Francis
(2010), Vol. 309, pp. 222-230, Aquaculture, C1
N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich vegetable oils and blends
D Tocher, D Francis, K Coupland
(2010), pp. 209-244, Fish Oil Replacement and Alternative Lipid Sources in Aquaculture Feeds, A7
Effects of alternate phases of fish oil and vegetable oil-based diets in Murray cod
D Francis, G Turchini, B Smith, S Ryan, S De Silva
(2009), Vol. 40, pp. 1123-1134, Aquaculture Research, C1
G Turchini, D Francis
(2009), Vol. 102, pp. 69-81, British Journal of Nutrition, C1
D Francis, D Peters, G Turchini
(2009), Vol. 57, pp. 4381-4390, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, C1
D Francis, G Turchini, P Jones, S De Silva
(2007), Vol. 55, pp. 1582-1591, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, C1
D Francis, G Turchini, P Jones, S De Silva
(2007), Vol. 269, pp. 447-455, Aquaculture, C1
G Turchini, D Francis, S De Silva
(2007), Vol. 13, pp. 351-360, Aquaculture Nutrition, C1
D Francis, G Turchini, P Jones, S De Silva
(2007), Vol. 13, pp. 335-350, Aquaculture Nutrition, C1
G Turchini, D Francis, S De Silva
(2007), Vol. 42, pp. 1065-1071, Lipids, C1
G Turchini, D Francis, S De Silva
(2006), Vol. 144, pp. 110-118, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - B Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, C1
D Francis, G Turchini, P Jones, S De Silva
(2006), Vol. 253, pp. 547-556, Aquaculture, C1
G Turchini, D Francis, S De Silva
(2006), Vol. 37, pp. 570-585, Aquaculture Research, C1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Enhancing the flavour of farmed fish through dietary innovation
A/Prof David Francis, Prof Giovanni Turchini, Rocky De Nys, Dr Damien Callahan, A/Prof Xavier Conlan, Prof Russell Keast, Vittorio Moretti, Dr Richard Smullen, Susan Poole
ARC Linkage - Projects
- 2021: $11,885
- 2020: $127,314
- 2019: $120,756
- 2018: $50,706
Elucidating the nutritional requirements of farmed hybrid abalone
A/Prof David Francis, Prof John Donald, Prof Giovanni Turchini
FRDC Grant - Research - Fisheries Research & Development Corporation
- 2019: $75,000
- 2018: $159,544
Other Public Sector Funding
Aquaculture technologies for recycled water bioremediation
Dr Paul Jones, Mr Bob Collins, Prof Giovanni Turchini, A/Prof David Francis
- 2011: $28,527
- 2010: $51,495
- 2009: $25,000
Lipid class analysis of Great Barrier Reef corals and sponges
A/Prof David Francis
- 2016: $5,272
Evaluation of nutritional quality in farmed yellowtail kingfish
A/Prof David Francis
- 2017: $4,784
Evaluation of nutritional quality in farmed yellowtail kingfish
A/Prof David Francis
- 2018: $7,174
Feasibility of a breeding program for the giant triton sea snail (Charonia tritonis)
A/Prof David Francis
- 2018: $4,550
Examining the effects of sediment - induced shifts in light quantity and quality on corals and sponges.
A/Prof David Francis, Ms Jessica Conlan
- 2019: $27,470
Contributions of seaweed to carbon sequestration
Dr Alecia Bellgrove, Mrs Erlania Erlania, Prof Peter Macreadie, A/Prof David Francis
- 2019: $2,500
Industry and Other Funding
Monola in aquafeed
Prof Giovanni Turchini, A/Prof David Francis
- 2012: $44,699
- 2011: $22,122
- 2010: $22,122
Deakin Ridley Aquaculture Research Initiative
Prof Giovanni Turchini, A/Prof David Francis
- 2020: $500,000
- 2019: $341,710
- 2018: $190,000
- 2017: $287,734
- 2016: $150,000
- 2015: $150,000
Enhancing the flavour of farmed fish through dietary innovation
A/Prof David Francis, Prof Giovanni Turchini, Rocky De Nys, Dr Damien Callahan, A/Prof Xavier Conlan, Prof Russell Keast, Vittorio Moretti, Dr Richard Smullen, Susan Poole
- 2019: $50,000
Nutritional assessment of commercially extruded aquafeeds
A/Prof David Francis, Prof Giovanni Turchini
- 2017: $15,620
Environmental Water Knowledge and Research
A/Prof David Francis, Prof Rebecca Lester
- 2018: $25,000
- 2017: $10,100
Contributions of seaweed to carbon sequestration
Dr Alecia Bellgrove, Prof Peter Macreadie, A/Prof David Francis, Mrs Erlania Erlania
- 2019: $6,375
Nutritional composition of cultured kelps and influences of sample preservation.
Dr Alecia Bellgrove, Miss Vanessa Skrzypczyk, Dr Damien Callahan, A/Prof David Francis
- 2019: $11,000
Spicy fish - an evaluation of a novel bioactive for improved on-farm fish performance.
A/Prof David Francis, Mr Tom Mock, Dr Melissa Rocker, Miss Erin Cumming, Dr Matt Jago, Prof Giovanni Turchini
- 2020: $45,000
Other Funding Sources
Evaluation of fatty acid biomarkers in decapod crustaceans.
A/Prof David Francis
- 2019: $4,400
Future-proofing the salmon farming industry in the face of climate warming.
A/Prof David Francis, Prof Giovanni Turchini, Prof Colin Barrow, A/Prof Timothy Clark, Prof John Donald
- 2020: $152,928
Supervisions
Matthew Jago
Thesis entitled: Seasonal environmental impacts on the productivity and nutritional status of farmed Atlantic salmon in Tasmania
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Jessica Ann Conlan
Thesis entitled: Nutritional Health of Captive Corals
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Thomas Mock
Thesis entitled: Omega-3 fatty acids in Atlantic salmon: dietary and environmental effects
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Giorgio Palmeri
Thesis entitled: Nutritional and Organoleptic Quality in Intensively Farmed Murray Cod
Doctor of Philosophy (Life & Env), School of Life and Environmental Sciences