Dr. Jay Keasling

Dr. Jay Keasling is the Hubbard Howe Jr. Distinguished Professor of Biochemical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley in the Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, senior faculty scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Chief Executive Officer of the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI). Dr. Keasling's research focuses on metabolic engineering of microorganisms for environmentally friendly synthesis of drugs, chemicals, and fuels. Keasling received a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Nebraska and M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and did post-doctoral research in biochemistry at Stanford University. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors. Keasling has won numerous awards, including the 2015 Eric and Shiela Samson Prime Minister's Prize in Innovation in Alternative Fuels for Transportation, the Innovator Award – Biosciences from the Economist Magazine in 2014, the Eni Renewable Energy Prize from Eni S.p.A. in 2014, the George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology from the Biotechnology Industry Organization in 2013, the Promega Biotechnology Research Award from the American Society for Microbiology in 2013, the Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy and Employment from the Heinz Family Foundation in 2012, International Metabolic Engineering Award from the Metabolic Engineering Society in 2012, Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2010, the Inaugural Biotech Humanitarian Award from the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) in 2009, Scientist of the Year from Discover Magazine in 2006, and the Technology Pioneer Award from theWorld Economic Forum in 2005. Keasling is the founder of Amyris, LS9, Lygos, Constructive Biology, Demetrix and Maple Bio.