2024 International Symposium on Science and Culture of Alcoholic Beverages honors Shoemaker contributions
On November 4-5 local time, the "2024 International Symposium on Alcohol Science and Culture," co-hosted by Jiangnan University and the University of California, Davis, took place at UC Davis. Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Jiangnan University, Professor Wei Chen, along with UC Davis Vice Provost of Global Affairs, Professor Joanna Regulska, attended the opening ceremony as conference co-chairs and delivered keynote speeches. The ceremony was jointly hosted by Distinguished Professor Michelle Yeh from UC Davis and Professor Ni Ye, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at Jiangnan University.
In her opening remarks, Joanna Regulska welcomed the attending experts and scholars from around the world. She reflected on the longstanding collaboration between the two universities since the 1980s. Since 1991, when the universities co-organized the first International Conference on Food Science and Technology, the event has become an important academic dialogue platform, advancing frontier discussions and innovative research in food science and technology.
President Wei Chen expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the guests for their longstanding support and extended special thanks to Department of Food Science and Technology, Department of Viticulture and Enology, the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, and the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, America-China Talk for their support of this symposium. He affirmed Jiangnan University's commitment to continued, in-depth collaboration with UC Davis in field of food science.
President Chen then presented two special international awards to the Shoemakers of the UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology. The inaugural “Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented to Emeritus Professor Charles Shoemaker in appreciation for his outstanding contributions and accomplishments in lecturing, mentoring students through international cooperation with Jiangnan University and the “Envoy of Friendship” was presented to Emerita Dr. Sharon Shoemaker in recognition of her outstanding contributions and accomplishments to international exchange with Jiangnan University. A short video highlighting their accomplishments since 1985 was produced by Jiangnan University and shown at the end of this article.
The symposium topics included brewing science, the impact of climate change on brewing, alcohol markets and future trends, the history of brewing and drinking culture, and Chinese alcohol and alcohol culture. Featured speakers included Professor Yan Xu from the School of Biotechnology at Jiangnan University, Professor Glen Fox from the UC Davis Department of Food Science, Professor Susan Ebeler and Postdoctoral Researcher Apramita Devi from the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology, Distinguished Professor Julian Alston from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Professor Dawn Maskell, Director of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University in the UK, Assistant Professor Shu-Wei Huan from National Taiwan University, Li Qi, Deputy Secretary General of the Whiskey Special Committee of the China Alcoholic Drinks Association,
Dean Long Liu of the School of Biotechnology at Jiangnan University, Associate Dean Wei Zhao of the School of Food Science at Jiangnan University, and representatives from relevant U.S. research centers. These international guests shared the latest research and industry trends in the fields of wine, beer, and spirits, showcasing the diversity of global alcohol culture. Professor Susan Ebeler and Professor Yan Xu delivered keynote reports, exploring developments in the wine and baijiu industry.
The symposium aimed to promote academic exchange in international brewing science, technology, and culture, focusing on the latest research developments in alcohol science and culture across countries and regions. This event represents not only a grand occasion for academic exchange but also a new milestone in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Jiangnan University and UC Davis. Moving forward, the two universities will further expand cooperation in areas such as joint postgraduate training, research project collaboration, and academic resource sharing, jointly fostering closer interaction and sustainable development.