Dr Mei Peng

Senior Lecturer

Ph.D. (Auckland), M.A Hons (Auckland), BA (Auckland) Honorary Lecturer, School of Psychology (University of Auckland)

Contact

Tel +64 3 479 4052 Ext 4052
Email mei.peng@otago.ac.nz
Location Sensory Science Research Centre, 270 Leith Walk CSB 109

About

Dr Mei Peng is a senior lecturer in Sensory Science in the Department of Food Science. With a background in Experimental Psychology, Mei uses multi-disciplinary approach (behavioural, cognitive-neuro, physiological) to study inter- and intra-individual differences in sensory processing and their links to food-related behaviour, and health issues, such as obesity and depression.

Mei's Laboratory is specialised in running large-scaled, multi-factored, human-participants based studies, including a few Marsden-funded projects (e.g., Searching for multi-sensory fingerprints: a personalised index of hedonic eating (2018–2020); How do sensory shifts shape our diet (2022-2025)).

In 2020, Mei initiated the establishment of the Otepoti-based longitudinal research cohort to track behavioural and neural-sensory changes related to pregnancy – the ENERGY Longitudinal Study Cohort – the very first pregravid longitudinal research cohort in Aotearoa.
Mei currently sits on the Editorial Board of Food Quality and Preference. She is also the founding member of Australasian Sensory Professional Network, and a main organiser of the annual NZOZ sensory symposium.

She is also a member of Food Waste Innovation, a University of Otago Research Theme.

Teaching

Course Co‑ordinator

Contributor to

Research

Research interests

Mei has a diverse range of research interests, including basic sensory processing, eating behaviour, food psychology, and human health. She is particularly interested in understanding intersections of sensory physiology and psychology, and how these can impact on human health.

Effects of pregnancy on macronutrient selections
Multi-sensory Fingerprints – Individual differences in multi-sensory processing to indicate obesity

Research projects

ENERGY longitudinal cohort study

Multi-sensory Fingerprints – a personalised index of hedonic eating and obesity
Long-term effects of COVID on eating behaviour and food choices
When Plant-based diets meet pregnancy – how maternal plant-based diets affect mothers and infants
“Mummy Brain” – Long-term effects of pregnancy on neurosensory, eating-related cognitive and behavioural processing
Please contact me to discuss a research project

Postgraduate supervision

Current students

Stephanie McLeod (PhD), “When Plant-based diets meet pregnancy – how maternal plant-based diets affect mothers and infants”
Elizabeth Tabe Agbor (PhD), “The impact of gustation and olfaction on eating behaviours and dietary patterns from pre-pregnancy to the postpartum in low social-economics groups and refugees”
Dhirendra Gehlot (Marsden-funded PhD), “Olfactory cocktail party: How human segregate mixture of odours”
Hannah Browne (PhD), “Long-term effect of pregnancy on sensory abilities and macronutrient selection”

Past PhD students

Rachel Ginieis (PhD), “Multi-sensory fingerprints and their links to hedonic eating
Sashie Abeywickrema (PhD), “Linking individual olfactory and gustatory sensitivity to adiposity and eating behaviour”
Nassim Jalil Mozhdehi (PhD), “Comparing sensory perception and dietary intake across individuals with vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous diets”
Xiaohai (Justin) Geng (PhD), "Developing and assessing implicit methods for food choices"

Publications

Ni, S., McCulloch, G. A., Kroos, G. C., King, T. M., Dutoit, L., Foster, B. J., Hema, K., Jandt, J. M., Peng, M., Dearden, P. K., & Waters, J. M. (2024). Human-driven evolution of color in a stonefly mimic. Science, 386(6270), 453-458. doi: 10.1126/science.ado5331 Journal - Research Article

McLeod, S. C., McCormack, J. C., Oey, I., Conner, T. S., & Peng, M. (2024). Knowledge, attitude and practices of health professionals with regard to plant-based diets in pregnancy: A scoping review. Public Health Nutrition, 27, e170. doi: 10.1017/s1368980024001484 Journal - Research Other

Mo, Y., McLeod, S. C., McCormack, J. C., Leong, S. Y., Conner, T. S., Oey, I., & Peng, M. (2024). Olfactory and gustatory perception among plant-based vs. omnivorous dieters: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sustainability, 16, 6241. doi: 10.3390/su16146241 Journal - Research Article

Abeywickrema, S., Ginieis, R., & Peng, M. (2024). Taste sensitivities mediate differential snack choices across BMI groups: A study with New Zealand young male individuals. Obesity, 32(8), 1453-1464. doi: 10.1002/oby.24032 Journal - Research Article

Peng, M. (2024). Sensory research in the post-COVID era: Turning challenges into opportunities. Current Opinion in Food Science, 101178. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.cofs.2024.101178 Journal - Research Other

2024

Journal - Research Article

King, J., Leong, S. Y., Alpos, M., Johnson, C., McLeod, S., Peng, M., … Oey, I. (2024). Role of food processing and incorporating legumes in food products to increase protein intake and enhance satiety. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 147, 104466. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2024.104466

McCormack, J. C., & Peng, M. (2024). Impacts of COVID-19 on food choices and eating behavior among New Zealand university students. Foods, 13, 889. doi: 10.3390/foods13060889

Abeywickrema, S., Gunathunga, S., Walpita, J. K., Jayewardena, R., & Peng, M. (2024). Evaluating sensory impacts of sustained Plant-Based Diets: Altered sensitivity and hedonic responses to Meat-Related odours in Sri Lankan young adults. Food Quality & Preference, 117, 105151. doi: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2024.105151

McCormack, J. C., Agbor Epse Muluh, E., Mo, Y., McLeod, S. C., Turner, S., Gehlot, D. S., Browne, H., Bullen, C., & Peng, M. (2024). Does vaping affect the taste and smell perception? An exploratory study with New Zealand young adults. Appetite, 195, 107236. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107236

Agbor Epse Muluh, E., McCormack, J. C., Mo, Y., Garratt, M., & Peng, M. (2024). Gustatory and olfactory shifts during pregnancy and the postpartum period: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiology & Behavior, 273, 114388. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114388

Journal - Research Other

Peng, M. (2024). Sensory research in the post-COVID era: Turning challenges into opportunities. Current Opinion in Food Science, 101178. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.cofs.2024.101178

Peng, M., Ginieis, R., Abeywickrema, S., & Keast, R. S. J. (2024). Effects of olfactory and gustatory perception on individual food choices and macronutrient intake. Science Talks, 10, 100332. doi: 10.1016/j.sctalk.2024.100332

2023

Journal - Research Article

Ginieis, R., Fu, Y., Franz, E. A., & Peng, M. (2023). Contrasting frontal cortical responses to food versus money rewards across BMI groups. Nutritional Neuroscience, 2245212. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2023.2245212

Peng, M., Ginieis, R., Abeywickrema, S., McCormack, J., & Prescott, J. (2023). Rejection thresholds for sweetness reduction in a model drink predict dietary sugar intake. Food Quality & Preference, 110, 104965. doi: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.104965

Abeywickrema, S., & Peng, M. (2023). The role of tableware size in healthy eating-effects on downstream food intake. Foods, 12, 1230. doi: 10.3390/foods12061230

Abeywickrema, S., Ginieis, R., Oey, I., Perry, T., Keast, R. S. J., & Peng, M. (2023). Taste but not smell sensitivities are linked to dietary macronutrient composition. Appetite, 181, 106385. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106385

Journal - Research Other

McCormack, J. C., Roberts, R., Garratt, M., Wang, T., Hayes, J., & Peng, M. (2023). Longitudinal study of Energy, Neurosensory and Eating Responses durinG pregnancY (ENERGY cohort): A study protocol. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.01.033

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Peng, M. (2023). Effects of olfactory and gustatory perception on food choices and macronutrient intake. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology (NZIFST) Conference: Food in a Changing World. (pp. 12-13). Retrieved from https://nzifst.org.nz

2022

Journal - Research Article

Maharjan, A., Khwaounjoo, P., Peng, M., & Cakmak, Y. O. (2022). Non-contact neuromodulation of the human autonomic nervous system function via different odors: Sex, menstrual cycle, and odor dose- and duration-specific effects. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16, 950282. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.950282

Ginieis, R., Abeywickrema, S., Oey, I., & Peng, M. (2022). Testing links of food-related olfactory perception to peripheral ghrelin and leptin concentrations. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 888608. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.888608

Abeywickrema, S., Oey, I., & Peng, M. (2022). Sensory specific satiety or appetite? Investigating effects of retronasally-introduced aroma and taste cues on subsequent real-life snack intake. Food Quality & Preference, 100, 104612. doi: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104612

Abeywickrema, S., Ginieis, R., Oey, I., & Peng, M. (2022). Olfactory and gustatory supra-threshold sensitivities are linked to ad libitum snack choice. Foods, 11, 799. doi: 10.3390/foods11060799

Ginieis, R., Abeywickrema, S., Oey, I., Keast, R. S. J., & Peng, M. (2022). Searching for individual multi-sensory fingerprints and their links with adiposity: New insights from meta-analyses and empirical data. Food Quality & Preference, 99, 104574. doi: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104574

Maharjan, A., Peng, M., Russell, B., & Cakmak, Y. O. (2022). Investigation of the optimal parameters of median nerve stimulation using a variety of stimulation methods and its effects on heart rate variability: A systematic review. Neuromodulation, 25, 1268-1279. doi: 10.1016/j.neurom.2021.10.005

Maharjan, A., Peng, M., & Cakmak, Y. O. (2022). The effects of frequency-specific, non-invasive, median nerve stimulation on food-related attention and appetite. Appetite, 169, 105807. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105807

2021

Journal - Research Article

Jalil Mozhdehi, N., Abeywickrema, S., Bremer, P. J., & Peng, M. (2021). Comparing taste detection thresholds across individuals following vegan, vegetarian, or omnivore diets. Foods, 10, 2704. doi: 10.3390/foods10112704

Ginieis, R., Abeywickrema, S., Oey, I., Franz, E. A., Perry, T., Keast, R. S. J., & Peng, M. (2021). The role of an individual's olfactory discriminability in influencing snacking and habitual energy intake. Appetite, 167, 105646. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105646

Peng, M., Potterton, H., Chu, J. T. W., & Glue, P. (2021). Olfactory shifts linked to postpartum depression. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 14947. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-94556-z

Peng, M., Browne, H., Cahayadi, J., & Cakmak, Y. (2021). Predicting food choices based on eye-tracking data: Comparisons between real-life and virtual tasks. Appetite, 166, 105477. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105477

Deng, Q., Haszard, J. J., Conner, T. S., Rapsey, C., Peng, M., & Venn, B. J. (2021). Cognitive performance, mood and satiety following ingestion of beverages imparting different glycaemic responses: A randomised double-blind crossover trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 75, 602-610. doi: 10.1038/s41430-020-00749-6

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Browne, H., Kok, A., & Peng, M. (2021). Effects of pregnancy on sensory fingerprints and eating behaviour. Proceedings of the University of Otago Student Research Symposium: Te Wānaka Rakahau: Ākoka. (pp. 15). [Abstract]

2020

Journal - Research Article

Duerlund, M., Vad Andersen, B., Alexi, N., Peng, M., & Byrne, D. V. (2020). Subjective sensations related to food as determinants of snack choice. Foods, 9(3), 336. doi: 10.3390/foods9030336

Cahayadi, J., Leong, S. Y., Oey, I., & Peng, M. (2020). Textural effects on perceived satiation and ad libitum intake of potato chips in males and females. Foods, 9(1), 85. doi: 10.3390/foods9010085

Peng, M., Cahayadi, J., Geng, X., & Eidels, A. (2020). Mixed messages: Assessing interactions between portion-size and energy-density perceptions in different weight and sex groups. Appetite, 144, 104462. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.104462

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Ginieis, R., Abeywickrema, S., Franz, L., Keast, R., & Peng, M. (2020). Searching for a personalised index of hedonic eating. Proceedings of the Psycolloquy Symposium. (pp. 6). Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Psychology, University of Otago. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/psychology/research/otago059081.html

2019

Journal - Research Article

Traill, R. M., Luckman, M. S., Fisk, N. A., & Peng, M. (2019). Application of the Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA) method to differentiate the visual appearance of milk powders using trained sensory panels. International Dairy Journal, 97, 230-237. doi: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2019.05.013

Cahayadi, J., Geng, X., Mirosa, M., & Peng, M. (2019). Expectancy versus experience: Comparing Portion-Size-Effect during pre-meal planning and actual intake. Appetite, 135, 108-114. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.01.012

Peng, M., Coutts, D., Wang, T., & Cakmak, Y. O. (2019). Systematic review of olfactory shifts related to obesity. Obesity Reviews, 20, 325-338. doi: 10.1111/obr.12800

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Maharjan, A., Peng, M., & Cakmak, Y. O. (2019). Neuromodulation of olfactory performances using high-frequency vagus and median nerve stimulation in healthy male adults. In K. Hillman (Ed.), Proceedings of the 37th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research (AWCBR). (pp. 46). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/awcbr

2018

Journal - Research Article

Maharjan, A., Peng, M., & Cakmak, Y. O. (2018). Non-invasive high frequency median nerve stimulation effectively suppresses olfactory intensity perception in healthy males. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 533. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00533

Maharjan, A., Wang, E., Peng, M., & Cakmak, Y. O. (2018). Improvement of olfactory function with high frequency non-invasive auricular electrostimulation in healthy humans. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12, 225. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00225

Rodrigues, N., Peng, M., Oey, I., & Venn, B. J. (2018). Glycaemic, uricaemic and blood pressure response to beverages with partial fructose replacement of sucrose. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 72, 1717-1723. doi: 10.1038/s41430-018-0134-x

Wang, E., Cakmak, Y. O., & Peng, M. (2018). Eating with eyes: Comparing eye movements and food choices between overweight and lean individuals in a real-life buffet setting. Appetite, 125, 152-159. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.02.003

Ginieis, R., Franz, E. A., Oey, I., & Peng, M. (2018). The “sweet” effect: Comparative assessments of dietary sugars on cognitive performance. Physiology & Behavior, 184, 242-247. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.12.010

Pickup, W., Bremer, P., & Peng, M. (2018). Comparing conventional Descriptive Analysis and Napping^®-UFP against physiochemical measurements: A case study using apples. Journal of the Science of Food & Agriculture, 98(4), 1476-1484. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.8616

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Peng, M. (2018). The "sweet" effect: Comparative assessments of dietary sugars on cognitive performance. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology (NZIFST) Conference: In Food We Trust: Confidence Built on Science and Technology. H2-1. Retrieved from http://www.nzifst.org.nz

2017

Journal - Research Article

Peng, M. (2017). How does plate size affect estimated satiation and intake for individuals in normal-weight and overweight groups? Obesity Science & Practice, 3(3), 282-288. doi: 10.1002/osp4.119

Peng, M., Adam, S., Hautus, M. J., Shin, M., Duizer, L. M., & Yan, H. (2017). See food diet? Cultural differences in estimating fullness and intake as a function of plate size. Appetite, 117, 197-202. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2017.06.032

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Peng, M., Adam, S., Shin, M., Duizer, L., & Yan, H. (2017). Cultural dependence on visual cues for predicting satiation and food intake. Proceedings of the 44th Experimental Psychology Conference (EPC). (pp. 75). Retrieved from http://www.asep.com.au/

Peng, M. (2017). Sweetness perception and cognitive performance: Investigating effects of contrasting sweet substances on cognitive tasks associated with prefrontal lobe. Proceedings of the 44th Experimental Psychology Conference (EPC). (pp. 74). Retrieved from http://www.asep.com.au/

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Abduh, S. B. M., Leong, S. Y., Agyei, D., Peng, M., & Oey, I. (2017, November). Effect of pulsed electric fields on starch digestibility of potato. Poster session presented at the 7th International Symposium on Delivery of Functionality in Complex Food Systems, Auckland, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Peng, M. (2017, August). Effect of plate size on pre-meal planning for normal-weight and overweight individuals. Verbal presentation at the 12th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium, Providence, USA.

2016

Journal - Research Article

Peng, M., Hautus, M. J., & Jaeger, S. R. (2016). Methods for fitting olfactory psychometric functions: A case study comparing psychometric functions for individuals with a "sensitive" or "insensitive" genotype for β-ionone. Chemical Senses, 41(9), 771-782. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjw090

Peng, M., Hautus, M. J., Oey, I., & Silcock, P. (2016). Is there a generalized sweetness sensitivity for an individual? A psychophysical investigation of inter-individual differences in detectability and discriminability for sucrose and fructose. Physiology & Behavior, 165, 239-248. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.08.004

2015

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Pickup, W., Bremer, P., & Peng, M. (2015, June-July). Sensory profiling of New Zealand apples: A comparison between Quantitative Descriptive Analysis and Napping^®. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology (NZIFST) 50^th Anniversary Conference, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Peng, M., & Hautus, M. J. (2015, June-July). Measuring panellist detection thresholds: A comparison of two common sensory methods. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology (NZIFST) 50^th Anniversary Conference, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

2014

Journal - Research Article

Peng, M., Jaeger, S. R., & Hautus, M. J. (2014). Fitting psychometric functions using a fixed-slope parameter: An advanced alternative for estimating odor thresholds with data generated by ASTM E679. Chemical Senses, 39, 229-241. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjt073

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Peng, M., Jaeger, S. R., & Hautus, M. J. (2014, May). Psychophysical methods for odour threshold estimation: Solving the paradox between theory and practice. Verbal presentation at the Asian Sensory and Consumer Research Symposium (SenseAsia), Singapore.

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Peng, M. (2014). Development of psychophysical methods for estimating human odour detection thresholds (PhD). University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2292/21843

2013

Journal - Research Article

Jaeger, S. R., McRae, J. F., Bava, C. M., Beresford, M. K., Hunter, D., Jia, Y., … Peng, M., … Newcomb, R. D. (2013). A Mendelian trait for olfactory sensitivity affects odor experience and food selection. Current Biology, 23(16), 1601-1605. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.07.030

McRae, J. F., Jaeger, S. R., Bava, C. M., Beresford, M., Hunter, D., Jia, Y., … Peng, M., … Newcomb, R. D. (2013). Identification of regions associated with variation in sensitivity to food-related odors in the human genome. Current Biology, 23(16), 1596-1600. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.07.031

2012

Journal - Research Article

Jaeger, S. R., Pineau, B., Bava, C. M., Atkinson, K. R., McRae, J. F., Axten, L. G., … Peng, M., … Newcomb, R. D. (2012). Investigation of the impact of sensitivity to cis-3-hexen-1-ol (green/grassy) on food acceptability and selection. Food Quality & Preference, 24(2), 230-242. doi: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2011.11.005

Peng, M., Jaeger, S. R., & Hautus, M. J. (2012). Determining odour detection thresholds: Incorporating a method-independent definition into the implementation of ASTM E679. Food Quality & Preference, 25(2), 95-104. doi: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2012.02.006

2011

Journal - Research Article

Hautus, M. J., Shepherd, D., & Peng, M. (2011). Decision strategies for the A Not-A, 2AFC and 2AFC-reminder tasks: Empirical tests. Food Quality & Preference, 22(5), 433-442. doi: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2011.02.008

Hautus, M. J., Shepherd, D., & Peng, M. (2011). Decision strategies for the two-alternative forced choice reminder paradigm. Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, 73(3), 729-737. doi: 10.3758/s13414-010-0076-4

2009

Awarded Masters Degree

Peng, M. (2009). Experimental investigation of decision strategies for the duo-trio sensory difference task (MA). University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 101p.

2008

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Peng, M., Lodhia, V., Johnson, B. W., & Hautus, M. J. (2008). Spatial and non-spatial information in dichotic pitch. In J. G. Anson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 26th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 26, (pp. 39). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/2008Abstracts.pdf