Frostburg State University Chemistry and Physics

06/06/2026

Why doesn’t coffee taste like caffeine? ☕🤔

Caffeine is extremely bitter on its own, but coffee isn’t. A new study published in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests the answer lies in compounds formed during roasting called melanoidins. Researchers found that melanoidins, along with natural coffee acids like chlorogenic acids, can interact with caffeine and reduce its bitterness. According to taste testers, caffeine’s bitterness dropped by about half when these compounds were present — and in amounts similar to regular coffee, the bitterness was largely masked.

It’s a reminder that every sip of coffee is shaped by a surprisingly complex web of chemistry.

Curious how it all works? Read the full article to dive deeper into the science behind your daily cup: https://brnw.ch/21x37Xg

Image credit: New Africa/Shutterstock.com

06/04/2026

Catching up on some spring posts! In early May, Drs. Crawford, Keller, and Seddon attended the Northeast Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NEAAHP) Local Area Network Meeting at Georgetown University School of Medicine. This organization helps our faculty assist FSU students as they prepare for careers in the health professions. Many thanks to these faculty members for their dedication to helping our future doctors, pharmacists, physician assistants, and more succeed! If you’re looking for an affordable undergraduate program with support for obtaining a career in the health professions, contact our admissions team today!

06/03/2026

06/01/2026

Thank you to Josh Green for sharing what it was like to be a chem major at FSU! If you’d like a “fun” college experience and career like Josh’s, apply or accept that offer today!!! We still have a few spots open in our first year class of chem majors! Check out our options for biochemistry and pharmacy too!

05/26/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Deng-Luzader on her retirement. She has been a physics professor at FSU for 30 years and now has emeritus status. Enjoy your retirement. We will miss you. 🐾🌟♥️

05/21/2026

Today was our department white coat ceremony for our graduating chemistry majors/minors, as well as physics majors/minors. It is such a wonderful event to see all of our amazing students graduate and go on to do great things! Congratulations Bobcats 🎓🥼🧪🔭🐾

05/21/2026

Some pictures of our last few days of the MARM American Chemical Society conference. On the last poster night, Dr. Currie, Ty, and Julia presented a poster. Owen gave a talk about his research too. And we checked out some Hershey staples like Hershey’s Chocolate World! 🧪🍫

05/20/2026

From the chem labs at Frostburg to Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. We made it to the Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting (MARM) of the American Chemical Society!

05/18/2026

What a great first day at the Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting (MARM) of the American Chemical society at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. Tonight Clara and Max presented their research posters at the conference.