Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences

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Image reading “App State STEM Career Day,” with gold STEM lettering and a rough white brushstroke-style title on black.

App State students invited to explore careers, network with employers at Nov. 13 STEM Career Day
Oct 15, 2026

BOONE, N.C. — Ready to jumpstart your career and connect with top North Carolina STEM employers without leaving Boone?

Events
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
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
Dr. Bob Swarthout is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.
Fermentation Sciences majors Finn Adams (left), Chris Martin (second from left), and Dominic Bernardi (third from left) learned about winemaking from Will Burrow ’20 (fourth from left), head winemaker at Grandfather Mountain Vineyard in Banner Elk.
CAS Corps member Seleen Al Horani is a senior chemistry major from Amman, Jordan. Photo submitted

Chemistry major Seleen Al Horani joins CAS Corps
Sep 23, 2025

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Corps are chosen to serve as representatives to all constituents of CAS and to create, promote and execute... Chemistry, Students

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
Top: App State senior Lex Foote, a Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM) Scholar in math from Linville, demonstrates an equation on the whiteboard. Bottom: From left to right: Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, Dr. Andrew Heckert, Dr. Mohammad Ali Javidian, Dr. Carol Babyak and Dr. Roshani Silwal. Photos by Chase Reynolds
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
Forbes

How Majors Like Game Design And Ecotourism Are Saving Higher Education
Mar 24, 2025

Appalachian State University’s fermentation science program teaches students the science behind brewing beer, fermenting foods, and producin

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