Use of multi-level analytical techniques, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS), Dynamic Dewpoint Isotherms (DDI), and Texture Analysis to elucidate the relationship between water and solids mobility and the physical, chemical, and microbiological stability and quality characteristics of food systems.
Selected Publications
Barbosa-Canovas, G.V. Fontana, A.J., Schmidt. S.J., and Labuza, T.P. 2007. Water Activity in Foods: Fundamentals and Applications. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA. pp. 435.
Schmidt, S.J. 2004. Water and solids mobility in foods. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, Academic Press, London, UK, vol. 48, pgs. 1-101.
Schmidt. S.J. 2007. Water mobility in foods. In "Water Activity in Foods: Fundamentals and Applications." Barbosa-Canovas, G.V. Fontana, A.J., Schmidt. S.J., and Labuza, T.P. (Eds.), Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, p.47-108.
Yu, X., Kappes, SM, Bello-Perez, L.A. and Schmidt, S.J. 2008. Investigating the moisture sorption behavior of amorphous sucrose using a dynamic humidity generating instrument. Journal of Food Science, 73(1):E25-35.
Yu, X., Schmidt, AR, Bello-Perez, L.A. and Schmidt, S.J. 2008. Determination of the bulk moisture diffusion coefficient for cornstarch using an automated water sorption instrument. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56(1):50-58.
Courses recently taught:
FSHN 101 - Introduction to Food Science and Nutrition
FSHN 595 - Water Relations in Foods
FSHN 592 - Graduate Internship Experience
Use of active learning techniques and multi-media resources to facilitate enhanced understanding of food science and human nutrition topics
Ph.D. University of Illinois-1986
2001 College of ACES Paul A. Funk Recognition Award; 2001 College of ACES Team Award for Excellence; 2001 National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Jack Everly Award; 2001 Institute of Food Technologists William V. Cruess Award for Teaching Excellence; 2001 National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teaching Fellow Award; 2001-02 University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana Distinguished Teacher/Scholar Award; 2002 Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Science, USDA-NASULGC National Award; 2003 National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture E.B. Knight Journal Award; 2004 Excellence in Innovation in Undergraduate Instruction Using Educational Technologies, UIUC Campus Teaching Award; Elected Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists (Elected 2004); 2005 Central Regional Teaching Award, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture; 2007 UIUC Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Dr. Shelly J. Schmidt received her Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1986 under the direction of Dr. Marvin P. Steinberg. Before obtaining her Ph.D., Dr. Schmidt was employed at General Foods in Kankakee, IL for two years. In 1994-95, Dr. Schmidt spent her sabbatical leave at Tate & Lyle (formerly A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company), in the Research and Development Department. Dr. Schmidt is a Professor of Food Chemistry in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL. Dr. Schmidt has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate food science courses at both the Urbana-Champaign campus and in the Chicago Food Science Masters Extramural Program. She has developed two campus-wide general education courses, a Natural Science course and a Composition II course. Dr. Schmidt is also an instructor in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Teaching College Course, a program dedicated to teaching other professors how to teach. Dr. Schmidt is currently a member of the Food Chemicals Codex Committee of the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She has served as a USDA National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Panel Manager and collaborates with several food industries and analytical equipment companies.
Dr. Schmidt has received numerous campus and national teaching and research honors and awards. Dr. Schmidt is a University of Illinois Scholar, a University of Illinois Distinguished Teacher Scholar, and a charter member of both the College of Agriculture Academy of Teaching Excellence and the UIUC Campus Teaching Advancement Board. Dr. Schmidt is an associate editor for the Journal of Food Science Education and was one of the founding members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Education Division (1997). Dr. Schmidt is a Fellow (elected in 2004) and a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists and a professional member of the American Chemical Society. Dr. Schmidt's husband, Art, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They have two children, Robbie and Annie. The Schmidt family enjoys living in the country with their Australian Shepard, Shadow.
