Section: Overview
Overview
Key publications
Research funding
Supervising & teaching
Career

Key details

Areas of expertise

  • Dairy science & technology
  • Physical chemistry of foods
  • Food biotechnology and engineering

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

About Todor Vasiljevic

Todor has over 30 years of research, consulting and teaching experience in various academic roles working closely with the food industry. After his Bachelor of Engineering with Food Technology Major, he specialised in dairy science, completing his doctorate at the University of Alberta, Canada. In 2003, he joined VU where he was instrumental in establishing a prominent presence of food science.

For the past 16 years, he has been leading the research and teaching entities in the food science programs at Victoria University. Under his leadership, Advanced Food Systems Research Unit has become a benchmark for fundamental and commercial research for the food clusters in rural Australia. The main focus of Todor’s work has been on providing integrated solutions to contemporary issues, mainly in the dairy industry, ensuring innovative processing and contributing to safe and sustainable food supply.

Qualifications

  • PhD, University of Alberta, Canda
  • BEng, University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Key publications

Year Citation
2024 Daniloski, D., Vasiljevic, T., Freitas, D., Comunian, T. A., Brodkorb, A., & McCarthy, N. A. (241201). Physicochemical and simulated gastric digestion properties of A1/A1, A1/A2 and A2/A2 yoghurts. Food Hydrocolloids, 157

doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110430

2024 Daniloski, D., Page, R. M., Lamichhane, P., Fitzpatrick, C. J., Vasiljevic, T., Brodkorb, A., Timlin, M., Murphy, J. P., O'Callaghan, T. F., & McCarthy, N. A. (241101). Cheddar cheese production, structure and in-vitro semi-dynamic gastric digestion: The role of -casein phenotype. Food Research International, 196

doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.115008

2024 Daniloski, D., Hailu, Y., Brodkorb, A., Vasiljevic, T., & McCarthy, N. A. (240701). Impact of -casein phenotype on the physical properties of skim milk powders and their subsequent digestion characteristics. Food Hydrocolloids, 152

doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.109918

2024 Kaur, S., Huppertz, T., & Vasiljevic, T. (240701). Plant proteases and their application in dairy systems. International Dairy Journal, 154

doi: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2024.105925

2024 Ahmadi, E., Vasiljevic, T., & Huppertz, T. (240601). Influence of Heating Temperature and pH on Acid Gelation of Micellar Calcium Phosphate-Adjusted Skim Milk. Foods, 13(11),

doi: 10.3390/foods13111724

2024 Ahmadi, E., Huppertz, T., & Vasiljevic, T. (240601). Heat stability of skim milk containing various levels of micellar calcium phosphate. International Dairy Journal, 153

doi: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2024.105900

2024 Mediwaththe, A., Huppertz, T., Chandrapala, J., & Vasiljevic, T. (240501). Effect of pH and Shear on Heat-Induced Changes in Milk Protein Concentrate Suspensions. Foods, 13(10),

doi: 10.3390/foods13101517

2024 Mediwaththe, A., Chandrapala, J., Huppertz, T., & Vasiljevic, T. (240201). Heat-induced changes of milk protein concentrate suspensions as affected by addition of calcium sequestering salts and shearing. International Dairy Journal, 149

doi: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2023.105829

2024 Mediwaththe, A., Huppertz, T., Chandrapala, J., & Vasiljevic, T. (240101). Effect of Protein Content on Heat Stability of Reconstituted Milk Protein Concentrate under Controlled Shearing. Foods, 13(2),

doi: 10.3390/foods13020263

2024 Ahmadi, E., Markoska, T., Huppertz, T., & Vasiljevic, T. (240101). Structural Properties of Casein Micelles with Adjusted Micellar Calcium Phosphate Content. Foods, 13(2),

doi: 10.3390/foods13020322

Research funding for the past 5 years

Please note:

  • Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
  • Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
  • The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.

Stability and Quality of UHT MIlk
From: Noumi Operations Pty Ltd
Other investigators: Dr Muditha Dissanayake
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
MODULATION OF DIGESTION PATTERNS, PEPTIDE RELEASE AND IMMUNOGENETIC PROFILE OF MILK SUBJECTED TO HAELEN PROCESS
From: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Naturo Pty Ltd
Other investigators: Ms Narges Dargahi, Prof Vasso Apostolopoulos, Dr Muditha Dissanayake
For period: 2023-2023
$151,704
Valorisation of tofu waste streams
From: Innovation Connections, Australian Eatwell Pty Ltd
Other investigators: Dr Muditha Dissanayake
For period: 2023-2023
$100,000
Slow Whey: New options for functional foods targeted at preventing muscle loss– Phase 3
From: Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group, Victoria University
Other investigators: Prof Andrew Mcainch, Prof Alan Hayes
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed

ASSESSMENT OF IGG CONCENTRATION IN COLOSTRUM
From: THE WHOLEY MILK COMPANY PTY LTD
Other investigators: Dr Muditha Dissanayake
For period: 2022-2022
Not disclosed
Plant based cheese
From: AUSTRALIAN PLANT PROTEINS LTD PTY
Other investigators: Dr Muditha Dissanayake
For period: 2022-2022
Not disclosed
UHT treatment of liquid emulsions
From: CERECIN AUSTRALIA
Other investigators: Dr Muditha Dissanayake
For period: 2022-2023
Not disclosed

Manufacturing of slow release whey protein ingredients
From: Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group
Other investigators: Prof Andrew Mcainch, Dr Muditha Dissanayake
For period: 2021-2022
Not disclosed
Cannabinoids infused chocolate
From: Innovation Connections, Little Green Pharma Ltd
Other investigators: Dr Muditha Dissanayake
For period: 2021-2022
$107,898
Heat induced destabilization of milk
From: FrieslandCampina Pty Ltd
For period: 2021-2025
$105,000

Saving the Planet with Plant Based Food: bridging a knowledge gap regarding functionalising pea proteins in dry state.
From: Société des Produits Nestlé
For period: 2020-2022
Not disclosed
Impact of protein-mineral interactions on milk protein stability
From: FrieslandCampina Pty Ltd
Other investigators: Dr Thom Huppertz
For period: 2020-2023
$58,375
Understanding the effects of cow genotype on the composition and quality of milk and dairy products
From: The Walsh Fellowships
For period: 2020-2024
$114,476

Impact of Smart Vacuum-Sealing Lid on the Shelf Life of Infant Formula
From: Real Technology Australia Pty Ltd
For period: 2019-2019
Not disclosed

Controlled Digestion and Absorption of Whey Proteins for Improved Muscular Health
From: Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group
Other investigators: Prof Andrew Mcainch
For period: 2018-2019
Not disclosed
From Fresh to Dry - Developing a Process for Manufacturing a Meringue (Pavlova) from Egg White Powder
From: Country Chef Bakeries Pty Ltd ABN: 83 776 954 731
For period: 2018-2019
Not disclosed

Supervision of research students at VU

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

Currently supervised research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
2 PhD Principal supervisor

Currently supervised research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (2) Principal supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
19 PhD Principal supervisor
6 PhD Associate supervisor
1 Masters by Research Associate supervisor
4 Masters by Research Principal supervisor
1 Masters by Research Not Specified supervisor
1 PhD by Publication Associate supervisor
6 PhD by Publication Principal supervisor
1 Not Specified Principal supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (19) Principal supervisor
PhD (6) Associate supervisor
Masters by Research (1) Associate supervisor
Masters by Research (4) Principal supervisor
Masters by Research (1) Not Specified supervisor
PhD by Publication (1) Associate supervisor
PhD by Publication (6) Principal supervisor
Not Specified (1) Principal supervisor

Key academic roles

Dates Role Department / Organisation
Jan 2014 - Present
Professor
Victoria University
Jan 2010 - Dec 2013
Associate Professor
School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Victoria University
Jan 2006 - Dec 2009
Senior Lecturer
School of Molecular Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Victoria University
Dates Role & Department/Organisation
Jan 2014 -
Present
Professor
Victoria University
Jan 2010 -
Dec 2013
Associate Professor
School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Victoria University
Jan 2006 -
Dec 2009
Senior Lecturer
School of Molecular Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Victoria University

Awards

Year Award
2019

Teagasc Walsh Fellowship - Teagasc, Ireland

2018

Endeavour Executive Fellowship - Department of Education, Australian Government

2019

Vice Chancellor’s Peak Award Winner, Excellence in Research and Research Training (Research for Staff) - Victoria University

Keynote and invited speeches

Year Title/Description
2019

Tailoring milk protein functionality

Plenary lecture. 15th International Hydrocolloids Conference, 2–5 March 2020, Melbourne, Australia

2019

Protein stability during processing and storage

11th NIZO Dairy Conference, Milk Protein Functionality, 8–11 October 2019, Papendal, The Netherlands

2017

Whey protein ingredients: impact of whey source on processing and functionality

International Whey Conference. 17–20 September 2017, Chicago, USA

2016

High-value protein product opportunities – protein stability in sports drinks

49th Annual AIFST Convention – ‘The Pulse of the Industry’, 27–28 June 2016, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia

2015

Shelf life considerations and its impacts on regulation and standards

Food Regulations and Labelling Standards Conference 2015, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia

Show more invited keynote speeches

Professional memberships

  • Member, Institute of Food Technologists
  • Member, American Dairy Science Association
  • Member, Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology Incorporated