Ricardo J.S. Costa
Prof Ricardo Costa is a globally recognised leader in Sports Dietetics and Extremes Physiology at Monash University, Australia. He currently serves as Director of Research, Deputy Coordinator of the PhD Program, and Chair of the Industry Engagement Group within the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics & Food at Monash University, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping international research agendas, advancing doctoral education, and forging strategic partnerships across academia and industry. He leads the Sports Dietetic & Extremes Physiology Group, a world-class hub for research, education, and consultancy, and directs the Monash University BASE Facility Nutrition & Exercise Clinic, which delivers cutting-edge testing and advisory services to athletes and athlete support practitioners, ranging from recreational amateurs to elite Olympic athletes. His current educational activities include primary educator for the Sports & Exercise Nutrition teaching portfolio for Monash University, feeding into a vast array of undergraduate and postgraduate content and research units.
A/Prof Ricardo Costa completed his PhD at the University of Wales- UK, in neuroendocrine and nutritional immunology on the influence of sleep deprivation, cold exposure, exercise stress and nutritional intervention on selected immune responses, supported by the UK Ministry of Defence. Follow-on research in ultra-endurance sporting activities encompassed his Post-Doctorate research at Coventry University- UK. Prior to joining Monash in 2013, his academic activities at Coventry University- UK (2009-2013), included postgraduate Sport and Exercise Nutrition Course Director, Research Fellow, and led the Coventry University Sport and Exercise Nutritional Support and Research Team. Before entering a career in academics, he was a professional/semi-professional Triathlete/Duathlete competing on the World and European circuit between 1994-2003 and obtained World, European, and National titles.
Internationally acknowledged as the leading expert on the impact of exercise on gut health, and the application of nutrition and hydration for ultra-endurance activities, A/Prof Costa has contributed to >200 authored publications in the area. These include exploration into the causes of gut issues and gut symptoms in response to exercise, the pathophysiological mechanisms of exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome and exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms, methodological advancement in exercise gastroenterology, prevention and management strategies for gut issues during exercise, the gut microbiome, and the practical translation of nutrition and hydration in ultra-endurance sports to avoid the health complication of excessive exercise. As a result of this original research outputs, he has contributed to various international guidelines, recommendations, and best-practice publications (i.e., ultra-marathon, ultra-endurance, and exercise gastroenterology), and provides topic specific education and training to athlete support practitioners, both nationally and internationally (i.e., ‘managing gut issues in athletes’). His research, education, and services expand to industry engagement, in which he has worked with both national and international industry partners in testing current commercial products for their efficacy; and support in novel product development, prototyping, efficacy testing, and commercialisation, with application to gut health and ultra-endurance activities.