College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

Degrees

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with concentrations in Biomedical Engineering & Beverage Science and Technology – Michigan State University 2014
• Doctorate of Philosophy PhD – Chemical Engineering - Michigan State University 2018
• Master Brewer Diploma – World Brewing Academy (Siebel Institute of Technology – Chicago, Illinois & Doemens Academy – Munich, Germany)

Research Interests

Raw material and process optimization of fermented beverages including beer, spirits, wine and other novel products. Agricultural products, such as fruits, hops and grain, which are used in fermented beverage production. Biochemical pathways of yeast. Novel applications of renewable energy and sustainability to the fermented beverage industry.

Specific Research topics include:

• Use of milk permeate by-product stream from the Michigan Milk Producers Association to produce food grade ethanol (vodka) via Kluyveromyces marxianus
• Diacetyl production, reduction and control in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae in beers brewed with raspberries and other adjunct sugar sources
• Evaluation of corn and rye varieties for the Michigan Craft Distilling Industry
• Phenolic acid extraction and quantification in open pollinated corn varieties

Courses

• FSC 481 – Fermented Beverages
• CEM 482 – Science & Technology of Wine Production
• CHE 483 – Brewing & Distilling Beverage Technology
• CHE 433 – Process Design & Optimization I
• CHE 316 – Unit Operations Laboratory

Publications

Dissertation “Cyclic Distillation for Energy Conservation in Spirit Production” 2018.

Online Article “Cereal rye varieties grown in Michigan show substantial difference in growth habit, yield and quality for distilled spirits” Brook Wilke, Dean Baas, James DeDecker,

Joshua Dykstra, Ryan Hamilton, Christian Kapp and Nicole Shriner, Michigan State University Extension - October 04, 2022

Magazine Article “Getting the Most Out of Grain – Process consideration for maximizing flavor from distinctive ingredients in grain-based spirits” Nicole Shriner, PhD, Distiller Magazine (Published June 2023)

Magazine Article “Michigan State University’s Distilling Program Revived” Nicole Shriner, PhD, Artisan Spirit Magazine. (Published Fall 2023)

Magazine Article “Make Your Yeast Work for You: Getting the Most Flavor from Distillers’ Favorite Fungus”Nicole Shriner, PhD, Distiller Magazine (Published January 2024)

Memberships/ Affiliations

• Effervescent Solutions Beverage Consulting – Owner
• StepUp Foundation Mentorship Program Mentor
• Member of proposal review committee for American Distilling Institute Research Grants
• Won Title of “Master Distiller” on Discovery Channels TV show ‘Moonshine - Master Distiller’