Aleksandar Vidakovic

I am a researcher in aquaculture nutrition and feed technology, with a focus on developing sustainable feeds for fish and other monogastric animals. My work combines fish nutrition, physiology, and feed-processing technology to evaluate novel protein sources derived from circular and resource-efficient production systems, including microbial biomass, insects, and other alternative ingredients. I investigate how ingredient characteristics and feed-processing conditions influence pellet quality, nutrient availability, and animal performance, aiming to connect feed formulation with biological outcomes. Since 2019, I have been responsible for developing research activities at the SLU Feed Technology Laboratory, where I work on experimental feed production and extrusion technology. Through research, teaching, and supervision, I contribute to advancing knowledge that supports more sustainable and efficient aquaculture and animal-food systems.

My vision is to contribute to resilient and circular aquaculture systems by transforming underutilized biological resources into sustainable fish feeds. Through research that combines nutrition, processing technology, fish health, and environmental sustainability, I aim to develop innovative feed solutions that reduce dependence on finite resources, improve resource efficiency, and enhance food security for the future.

Supervision

Co-supervisor for PhD students:

Ongoing:

Vilma Johansson: Reshaping fish nutrition: Novel ingredients and feed technologies for increased circularity of aquaculture

Past:

Leon Niyibizi: Sustainable fish farming in Rwanda: Analysis of the local feed ingredients for Nile tilapia.

Ashwath Gaudhaman: licentiate thesis, Evaluation of microbial ingredients as alternative,
sustainable protein sources for fish meal replacement in rainbow trout feed

Shuowen Cao, Shaping the salmonid gut microbiota; Meta-analytical insights and dietary
approaches to enhance fish health and performance

Aprajita Singh,  Alternative feed sources, effect on gut microbiota, immunity and health of
Rainbow trout

Main and co-supervisor for MSc students:

Amanda Dahlberg, SLU, Digestibility of microbial protein sources in diet for rainbow trout.

Nils Ewald, SLU, Fatty acid composition of black soldier fly larvae - impact of rearing substrate.

Xiaoqing Cui, SLU, Baltic blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) and black soldier fly
(Hermetia illucens) combined with pea protein concentrate as protein sources in feed for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Nathalie Navarette, SLU, Bringing green valleys to aquaculture; Alfalfa white
protein extract as a novel ingredient in feed for rainbow trout

Vilma Johansson, SLU, Evaluation of novel climate-friendly feed for Nile tilapia in
Tanzania

Amanda Algotsson, SLU,  Novel ingredients for fish feed applications; An
assessment of antinutrients and contaminants

Divine Aanuoluwapo Anjorin, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, Low-fat Black Soldier Fly Larvae Reared on Organic Side Streams as Feed Ingredient for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Impacts on Growth Performance and Pellet Quality.

Teaching activities: 

Teaching in aquaculture and animal nutrition since 2010, first at NMBU and later at SLU. My experience includes lecturing, practical teaching, thesis supervision, and course administration across a range of BSc and MSc courses. I have also contributed to course development, including introducing case-based learning and practical exercises in feed formulation and processing. My teaching focuses on connecting scientific theory with practical applications in animal production and aquaculture.