AppState Fermentation Sciences

Introducing Rootsii! Backed by a $1.82 million NCInnovation grant, Appalachian State University professor Dr. Brett Taubman (left), lab manager Daniel Parker (right) and a team of student researchers are transforming surplus North Carolina sweetpotatoes into a first-of-its-kind, plant-based milk. Their goal is to go from proof of concept to store shelves over the next two years.

Read more:
today.appstate.edu/2026/05/15/rootsii

Official website:
rootsii.com

Photo by Chase Reynolds

From the field to the fridge: $1.82M NCInnovation grant supports sweetpotato startup at App State App State researchers Dr. Brett Taubman and Daniel Parker have secured a $1.82 million NCInnovation grant to turn surplus NC sweetpotatoes into a plant-based milk product line — the first of its kind in the world. Their Rootsii startup tackles agricultural waste while providing 1,800 hours of hand...

Congratulations, Seleen and Masa! We know you will have amazing futures and we wish you the best.

Sisters Seleen and Masa Al Horani, originally from Jordan, graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry (certified chemist concentration) and an impressive record of accomplishments to match.

At Appalachian State University, they were departmental honors students, Best Poster Award winners at the 2025 American Chemical Society meeting, and active leaders in the American Chemical Society student club. Working with their mentor, Dr. Petia Bobadova, they co‑authored impactful research on dyes with applications from biomedical imaging to solar cells.

Masa is headed to graduate school to continue her work in chemistry, while Seleen is exploring clinical applications of chemistry. Both credit undergraduate research, community, and involvement — from the Appalachian Chemical Society to INTAPP and the CAS Corps — with shaping their academic and personal growth.

Their advice to current Mountaineers: Get involved, find your community, and believe in your ability to meet challenges with resilience.

Read the full Commencement recap: https://dcfs.appstate.edu/news/meet-graduates-masa-and-seleen-al-horani-%E2%80%9926

📸: Chase Reynolds

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Congratulations to all Spring 2026 graduates! Our ceremony will take place at 9 am on Saturday, May 9.

More info:
www.appstate.edu/commencement

New employment opportunities have been added to our job board. Interested in the fermentation industry? Your next job could be with one of these local or national companies!

tinyurl.com/ycy7u9ey

Meet our Inaugural Student Advisory Committee: Charlie Weeks, Elliana Sykes, MJ Jackson, Gretchen Dunn and Nate Heberlein! These five students were selected to work directly with CFS leadership to help foster a positive student experience in the Department. We encourage current students to interact with the SAC members to share their feedback and suggestions about their experiences in all aspects of CFS Department life. Congratulations to these students and thank you for your dedication to making our Department a welcoming and supportive environment!

The April 2026 issue of our student newsletter, The Periodic Times, is now live on our website.

Read it here:
dcfs.appstate.edu/students/newsletter

Student researchers Jackson Johnson and Jack Kelly are working with Dr. Nancy Asen to combine the power of fermentation with chemical analysis to create a next-generation protein from common industrial food waste.

More info:
tinyurl.com/45t3mdxb

The university is closed on Friday, April 3. We hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!