Phillip Tong, Ph.D.

Dr. Tong has over 35 years of experience in conducting research and development in dairy foods science and technology with ADPI, Cal Poly, Kraft, Clorox, and Foremost Technical Center. He was instrumental in establishing and growing Cal Poly’s Dairy Products Technology Center, and he served as a Professor and its Director for over 15 years. Dr. Tong is an internationally recognized expert in dairy foods science and technology. His work has involved a wide range of separation, concentration, purification and thermal processes  and their applicability to improve the quality and functionality of dairy foods (fermented milks, fluid milks, dairy beverages, frozen desserts, cheese, butter, etc.), dairy ingredients (MPC, WPC, NFDM, SMP, etc.) and other food systems. He has co-authored over 100 publications on dairy foods and related technologies. He organized and led the instruction of over 50 short courses and symposia on dairy foods and he has given over 300 presentations in 10 countries including China, Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Ireland, Australia, Canada.

Phil has been an active member of ADPI’s Center of Excellence since its inception and he is actively engaged in ADPI events, Committees and Task Force Groups.  He helped to initiate ADPI’s annual webinar series,  manages ADPI’s research efforts, and  leads ADPI’s Dairy Ingredient Technology Symposium, an event he founded while at Cal Poly back in 1998.    He also serves as an independent consultant to the dairy and food industries, Chair of the American Dairy Science Association Foundation Board of Trustees. and Member of the Scientific Expert Group for the NZ3M Program of Riddet Institute, Massey University. He has served as President and member of the Board of Directors of the American Dairy Science Association, member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Animal Science Societies, and Past Chair of the Dairy Foods Division of Institute of Food Technologists. From 2016-2020, Phil also served as Executive Director of the California Creamery Operators Association.   He was selected 2018 Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists and 2016 Fellow of the American Dairy Science Association.  He is recipient of 2015 Southern California Institute of Food Technologists Distinguished Achievement Award, the American Dairy Science Association Award of Honor in 2014, Cal Poly Graduate Studies and Research 2014 Career Award in Recognition for Securing Over $10 million, the American Dairy Products Institute Award of Merit in 2013, and the International Dairy Foods Association Dairy Research Award of the American Dairy Science Association in 2006. He received his Ph.D. and MS degrees in Food Science from Cornell University, and his BS in Food Science and Technology from University of California, Davis.