Dr. Mayumi Silva
Details
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Department: School of Science
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Campus: Bundoora West Australia
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mayumi.silva@rmit.edu.au
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ORCID:
0000-0003-3195-7027
Open to
- Masters Research or PhD student supervision
- Industry Projects
- Media enquiries
- Collaborative projects
- Join a web conference as a panellist or speaker
About
Dr Mayumi Silva is a Lecturer in Food Science and Technology at RMIT University within the School of Science. She contributes to teaching, research and industry engagement across food chemistry, food formulation, dairy science and functional ingredient design.
Dr Mayumi Silva obtained a BSc (Honours) in Food Science and Technology from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, and a PhD in Food Science from RMIT University, Australia. Following completion of her doctoral studies, she worked as a Lecturer in Food Science at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura before returning to RMIT University as a Project Researcher, contributing to industry-linked research and collaborative innovation projects.
Her research focuses on understanding how processing conditions influence the structural and functional properties of proteins, fats and complex food systems. She also investigates nutraceutical delivery systems in functional foods and drives innovation in dairy products and ingredient development. Dr Silva leads and collaborates on multiple industry-supported research projects, working closely with food manufacturers to translate fundamental scientific principles into commercially viable products. Her work integrates laboratory-scale experimentation, pilot-scale processing, physicochemical and functional characterisation, and nutritional considerations to generate industry-relevant solutions and real-world impact.
Research fields
- 3006 Food sciences
- 4004 Chemical engineering
- 3003 Animal production
- 300607 Food technology
- 300602 Food chemistry and food sensory science
UN sustainable development goals
- 3 Good Health and Well Being
- 2 Zero Hunger
- 4 Quality Education
- 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Academic positions
- Lecturer (Early Career Development Fellow)
- RMIT University
- Melbourne, Australia
- Mar 2023 – Present
- Researcher (Postdoctoral)
- RMIT University
- Melbourne, Australia
- Feb 2023 – Feb 2025
- Lecturer
- University of Sri Jayewardenepura
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Aug 2021 – Dec 2022
- Casual Academic (Teaching)
- RMIT University
- Melbourne, Australia
- Jun 2018 – Feb 2025
Teaching interests
Dr Mayumi Silva teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Food Science and Technology, with a strong focus on integrating fundamental food science with real-world and industry application.
Teaching Responsibilities
- Food Formulation and Design - Undergraduate - Course Coordinator and Lecturer
- Food Toxicology, Allergens and Health - Postgraduate - Course Coordinator and Lecturer
- Food and Nutritional Chemistry - Undergraduate - Lecturer
- Food and Nutritional Chemistry - Postgraduate - Lecturer
- World of Life Sciences - Undergraduate - Lecturer (For Food Science Module)
Leadership roles:
Program Manager NUJCM (Bachelor of Food Technology & Nutrition) - 2026 - Present
Research interests
Dr Mayumi Silva’s research spans both fundamental and applied food science, with a focus on understanding how processing influences the structural, physicochemical and functional behaviour of proteins, fats and complex food systems. She is particularly interested in designing advanced food and nutraceutical delivery systems that enhance stability, bioavailability and functionality.
Her research topics include:
- Design and optimisation of food-grade delivery systems for nutraceuticals and bioactive compounds
- Microencapsulation and controlled release strategies in dairy and plant-based matrices
- Protein conformational changes and heat-induced aggregation in high-protein systems
- Casein–whey protein interactions and stability of complex dairy matrices
- Structuring of fat systems and development of trans-fat alternatives
- Emulsion science and multi-phase food design
- Thermal and non-thermal processing technologies for stability optimisation
- Industry-linked research projects
