Christopher Sherve, BExSc, MClinExPhys, Former Researcher II
Christopher Sherve was a Researcher II in the Plant Protein Innovation Center and Dr. B. Pam Ismail’s Lab located in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. He joined in February of 2022 after coming from General Mills (GMI) as a Lab Technician in their Analytical Lab at the Oat Production Plant in Fridley MN. Chris finished his course work in Biology in the Spring of 2020 before beginning work at GMI the following fall. Before beginning his food science career path Chris was an Exercise Physiologist and Cross Country/Track and Field Coach during which he completed a Masters degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of Mary, Bismarck ND in 2016. Chris is now a Researcher II at the UMN Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics.
Abbie Krentz, M.S., Former Research Project Manager
Abbie Krentz joined PPIC in 2022 as a Researcher IV and moved into the role of Research Project Manager in 2023. She oversaw PPIC projects by drafting project budgets and timelines, coordinating research progress, and delivering project updates and final reports which continuing to lead some PPIC research. Previously, she completed her B.S. in Food Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018 during which she participated in internship programs with Nestle Nutrition (Gerber), Dairiconcepts, and Lindt & Sprüngli. She completed her M.S. in Food Science and Technology at Ohio State University in 2021, researching the blending of milk caseins with pea protein and the upcycling of dairy industry by-products. Abbie is now a R&D Scientist II at General Mills.
Amy Mathiowetz, MS, RD, Former Manager of Operations,
Amy joined PPIC as support staff in early 2019 following the completion of her M.S. in Food Science at the University of Minnesota under the advisement of Dr. B. Pam Ismail. Her research focused on characterizing the storage stability Intermediate Wheatgrass in response to steam treatment. Prior to coming to the University of Minnesota, Amy received her B.S. in Food and Nutrition Science, as well as Dietetics, from St. Catherine University. She also interned with Catallia Mexican Foods. Amy has a strong interest in the confluence of food science and nutritional science and received her Registered Dietitian license in 2019. Amy was responsible for coordinating PPIC events, communications, and web design, as well as managing member relations. Amy is currently working as an Applications Scientist at Agropur.
Claire Boyle, MS, Former Manager of Operations
Claire joined PPIC as support staff in 2018 following the completion of her M.S. in Food Science at the University of Minnesota under the advisement of Dr. B. Pam Ismail. Her research focused on extraction, structural characterization, modification, and functional evaluation of protein from Camelina sativa for potential food applications. She spent two summers interning with Cargill, gaining experience in formulating products with high-intensity sweeteners and beverage processing. Amidst her research experiences, from 2015 - 2016 she spent time fundraising, managing network relations, and event coordinating for Agapé France, a non-profit in Paris, France. Claire was responsible for coordinating PPIC events, communications, and web design, as well as managing member relations. Claire is currently a Sr R&D Scientist at General Mills.