Dr Jay D. Keasling

Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering
Hubbard Howe Jr. Distinguished Professor of Biochemical Engineering
Director, Physical Biosciences Division, LBL and Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center
CEO, Joint BioEnergy Institute

Email: keasling@hgm2010.org
Webpage link: http://cheme.berkeley.edu/faculty/keasling/

Research Interests

Metabolic engineering of microorganisms

The research in the Keasling Laboratory focuses on the metabolic engineering of microorganisms for degradation of environmental contaminants or for environmentally friendly synthesis. To that end, we have developed a number of new genetic and mathematical tools to allow more precise and reproducible control of metabolism. These tools are being used in such applications as synthesis of biodegradable polymers, accumulation of phosphate and heavy metals, and degradation of chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons, biodesulfurization of fossil fuels, and complete mineralization of organophosphate nerve agents and pesticides.

Biography

Joined the UC Berkeley Faculty in 1992

Education

1986 B.S., University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Chemistry and Biology
1988 M.S., University of Michigan, Chemical Engineering
1991 Ph.D., University of Michigan, Chemical Engineering
1991-1992 Postdoctorate, Stanford University, Biochemistry

Major Awards

2007 Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology
2002 Allan P. Colburn Memorial Lecture, University of Delaware
2000 Elected Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering
1999 AIChE Award for Chemical Engineering Excellence in Academic Teaching, Northern California Section of the American Institute for Chemical Engineers
1995 Chevron Young Faculty Fellowship, Chevron
1995 CAREER Award, National Science Foundation
1992-1997 Zeneca Young Faculty Fellowship, Zeneca Ltd
1991-1992 NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford University
1982-1986 Regents Scholarship, The University of Nebraska,
1982-1986 Graduation with High Distinction, The University of Nebraska
 

Professional Experience

1986-1991 Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan
1991-1992 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Biochemistry, Stanford University School
1992-1998 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
1998-2001 Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
1999-2000 Vice Chair, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
2000-present Executive Committee Member, UC BioSTAR Program
2000-present Director, University of California BioSTAR Program
2001-present Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley