Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences

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Fermentation Sciences lab manager Daniel Parker (left), and lab director Brett Taubman (right) stand in App State’s Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences Service Lab in Mountain Laurel Hall Sept. 30.

The newest dairy alternative comes from sweet potatoes [faculty featured]
Oct 15, 2026

Two professors in the Fermentation Sciences Program founded a sweet potato milk startup company, seeking to promote nutrition and combat food waste.

Faculty and Staff, Fermentation Sciences, Grants and Research
Hundreds of people waited in line to get into the Beer Fest right at 3 p.m. when the general admission opened.

Bubbles, brews and sweet potatoes: High Country Beer Fest marks 19th year [staff featured]
Sep 3, 2026

BOONE — Thousands of beer lovers filled the Watauga County fairgrounds Saturday for the 19th annual High Country Beer Fest, sampling pours from 37 breweries under cooperating skies.

Faculty and Staff, Fermentation Sciences
Erik Martella sits on a stone wall and smiles while pouring himself a glass of red wine.

Demystifying Wine for the Next Generation [faculty featured]
Jan 9, 2026

As both an educator and winemaker, Erik Martella has spent decades thinking about how people encounter wine, not just as a beverage, but as an... Faculty and Staff, Fermentation Sciences

Dr. Brett Taubman is a professor and the director of the Fermentation Sciences program in Appalachian State University's A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences.

Dr. Brett Taubman authors chapter in upcoming ACS Symposium Series volume
Jan 6, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Dr.

Faculty and Staff, Fermentation Sciences
Dr. Nancy Asen is an assistant professor in the Appalachian State University A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences.

Dr. Nancy Asen co-authors publications in Food Research International and Food Chemistry
Jan 6, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Dr.

Faculty and Staff, Fermentation Sciences, Grants and Research
Dr. Jefferson Bates is an associate professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Dr. Jefferson Bates co-authors chapter in Engaging Students in Physical Chemistry
Dec 2, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Dr.

Chemistry, Faculty and Staff
Erik Martella, wine specialist and lecturer in the Appalachian State University Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, member of the CAS Advancement Council, and proprietor of Erik Martella Wines, chats with students at Vidalia Restaurant and Wine Bar before the beginning of the inaugural "Wine and Fine Dining for Emerging Professionals" program. Photo by Lauren Gibbs

Students learn about wine and fine dining through new program sponsored by Erik Martella
Nov 12, 2025

BOONE, N.C.

Department News, Fermentation Sciences, Faculty and Staff, Students
Dr. Bob Swarthout is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.

Dr. Bob Swarthout co-authors chemical analysis of USS Arizona oil leak
Nov 10, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Dr.

Department News, Faculty and Staff, Grants and Research
Dr. Brett Taubman is a professor and the director of the Fermentation Sciences program in Appalachian State University's A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences.

Dr. Brett Taubman featured on WUNC's Due South
May 27, 2025

What do cheese, beer, a “true country ham,” and sauerkraut have in common? Fermentation.

Department News, Faculty and Staff, Fermentation Sciences
Dr. Carol Babyak

Dr. Carol Babyak to serve as macebearer for Spring 2025 CAS Commencement
Apr 23, 2025

Dr. Carol Babyak will serve as the macebearer for the 5 p.m. ceremony.

Faculty and Staff
Dr. Jefferson Bates is an associate professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Dr. Jefferson Bates publishes updated computational method in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation
Mar 17, 2025

BOONE, N.C. — Dr.

Chemistry, Faculty and Staff, Grants and Research
Dr. Brett Taubman, professor and director of the Fermentation Sciences program at Appalachian State University

Dr. Brett Taubman featured on Appalachian Excellence podcast
Feb 13, 2025

On this episode of Appalachian Excellence, we explore the fascinating world of fermentation with Dr.

Faculty and Staff, Fermentation Sciences, Grants and Research