From Brazil to beef breakthroughs: William is helping shape the future of farming
A passion for animal nutrition and sustainable agriculture has taken CQUniversity researcher William Luiz de Souza on a journey from South America to Central Queensland, where he is helping develop innovative solutions for the future of livestock production.
Growing up in Brazil, William’s connection to animal science began early. While still in high school, he completed a three-year technical qualification in Animal Science alongside his regular studies, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to improving agricultural systems.
He went on to complete a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and PhD in Animal Science, with research spanning maternal cow nutrition, calf development and feedlot beef cattle nutrition.
Throughout his studies, William focused on finding ways to improve animal productivity while supporting animal welfare and sustainability.
“What inspired me from the beginning was the opportunity to contribute to more efficient and sustainable animal production systems,” William said.
“I have always been interested in understanding how nutrition can improve animal performance, animal welfare and sustainability.”
William first came to CQUniversity during the final year of his PhD as an exchange student, seeking an opportunity to further his research while improving his English. A connection with CQUniversity Dr Diogo Costa proved to be the perfect fit.
“At the time, my research group in Brazil and the team at CQU were working on similar challenges, improving animal performance while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
“That alignment between my research background and the work being done at CQU was a key reason I came to Australia.”
After completing his studies, William chose to remain with CQU, citing the University's collaborative culture and strong opportunities for research and professional growth.
Working alongside leading CQU researchers including, Professor Simon Quigley, Associate Professor Karen Harper and Dr Angela Capper has allowed him to expand his expertise across a range of agricultural disciplines.
One of the most rewarding aspects of his journey has been participating in international partnerships that connect researchers in Australia and Brazil.
“Many of the major challenges in agriculture are global,” William explained.
“The need to increase productivity while improving sustainability is shared by many countries.
“By working together, researchers can share knowledge, compare systems and develop solutions that are more practical and adaptable to different environments.”
For William, the value of international collaboration comes from connecting people with a shared purpose while allowing them to learn from different production systems and research environments.
“It creates a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, test ideas under different conditions and develop practical solutions for more productive and sustainable agricultural systems,” he said.
“It also goes beyond research. It creates long-term relationships between researchers, students and institutions.”
Having experienced the benefits of international exchange firsthand, William said it is particularly rewarding to see other students follow a similar path between the University of São Paulo and CQUniversity.
“Students can learn new techniques, experience different research environments, improve their language skills and build international connections,” he said.
“Seeing this happen reinforces the importance of this collaboration and the positive impact it can have on the next generation of researchers.”
Today, William is involved in several research projects, including a collaboration with CQUniversity’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) in Gladstone. The project is investigating microalgae collected from prawn production farms and exploring its potential use in cattle nutrition.
The research aims to better understand the nutritional composition of microalgae, including its protein and lipid content, digestibility and fatty acid profile.
“My role involves supporting the planning and execution of the trial, sample collection, data generation, statistical analysis and interpretation of results related to animal nutrition and performance,” he said.
While his work spans livestock, nutrition and marine ecosystems, William sees a common thread connecting each field.
“The overall objective is to improve animal productivity, support animal welfare and promote more sustainable production systems by using available resources more efficiently,” he explained.
For William, Central Queensland provides the ideal environment for this work.
“One of the things I enjoy most about living and working in Central Queensland is the opportunity for both professional and personal development,” he said.
“Central Queensland provides a strong connection between research and real production systems, which makes the work very meaningful.”
Looking ahead, he is optimistic about the future of agricultural research and its role in addressing global food security and sustainability challenges.
“As the global population continues to grow, agriculture will need to produce more food while using resources more responsibly and reducing environmental impacts,” he said.
“I believe research will play an essential role in helping producers meet these challenges through innovation in animal nutrition, productivity, animal welfare, sustainability and climate resilience.”
Turn your passion into a research project like William, with CQUniversity’s Higher Degrees by Research.
