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CE Specialist in Microbial Biogas/Fuel Cell Development (100% CE FTE) UC Berkeley – Department of Plant & Microbial Biology Position Title. Cooperative Extension Specialist (CES) in Microbial Biogas/Fuel Cell Development Position. (1) General disciplinary focus: This CES position will focus on research and outreach on biogas/microbial fuel cells to develop technology that will contribute to sustainable solutions to California’s energy needs. (2) Educational and professional background requirements: Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant topic, such as microbiology, bioengineering, or biochemistry, with a strong research background in microbial biochemistry and physiology and an interest or experience in outreach. (3) Supporting units for the position: This CES will be housed in the Department of Plant & Microbial Biology at UC Berkeley. The PMB department has close ties with the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI), the Joint Bioenergy Institute (JBEI), and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), leading research centers with a focus on sustainable biofuels research. Justification. The use of a variety of waste materials (agricultural, dairy, forest, municipal) for energy production, including biogas/biofuels, will help reduce consumption of fossil carbon sources and decrease Californian’s contribution to global climate change. However, a state-oriented plant biomass- based energy industry can only be productive and sustainable if methodologies for energy production from these various waste sources are optimized. The proposed CES will perform research on biogas/ microbial fuel cells with the ultimate goal of deploying to California stakeholders technologies, such as anaerobic digestion and gasification. The CES will be an essential link between research activities in ANR, other UC campuses and potential users of the technology, such as industries tasked with facilitating waste disposal (agricultural, dairy, forest and municipal) and the California biofuel industry. Through the existing ANR Bioenergy Working Group (BEWG, http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Divisionwide_Programs/Workgroups/Workgroup_Directory/?thiswg=430), this CES will link to other CE Specialists (Advisors and AES and other researchers at UC campuses and in the counties) who interact with growers and local bioenergy-focused industry to: (i) develop ties with existing and emerging bioenergy industries and policy makers, and (ii) to implement sustainable bioenergy approaches through applied research. The position is an ideal fit for the recently appointed UC President’s Global Climate Leadership Council, which places major emphasis on the University’s achieving carbon neutrality by 2025, with a specific interest in biogas (CNR Dean J. K. Gilless, personal communication). In addition to the research responsibilities of this CES position, the appointee can play an important role in interacting and educating groups outside the university. There is a demonstrated need for an individual to take the lead in helping relevant groups better understand the importance of these strategies in moving California toward a more sustainable energy path. These efforts could include holding workshops, developing educational resources and working with the media and legislators. What are the top 2-3 issues for this CE Specialist position? - Identifying new species, pathways and microbial interactions for production of biogas/microbial fuel cells (MFC) in industrial settings; accurately measuring the impact of biogas emission on greenhouse gas production - Investigating factors influencing the suitability of different feedstocks for digestion - Helping the public and legislators develop a better understanding of the importance of utilizing waste materials to generate energy, both to improve the environment and to make economic gains

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CE Specialist in Microbial Biogas/Fuel Cell Development (100% CE FTE) UC Berkeley – Department of Plant & Microbial Biology

Position Title. Cooperative Extension Specialist (CES) in Microbial Biogas/Fuel Cell Development Position. (1) General disciplinary focus: This CES position will focus on research and outreach on

biogas/microbial fuel cells to develop technology that will contribute to sustainable solutions to California’s energy needs.

(2) Educational and professional background requirements: Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant topic, such as microbiology, bioengineering, or biochemistry, with a strong research background in microbial biochemistry and physiology and an interest or experience in outreach.

(3) Supporting units for the position: This CES will be housed in the Department of Plant & Microbial Biology at UC Berkeley. The PMB department has close ties with the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI), the Joint Bioenergy Institute (JBEI), and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), leading research centers with a focus on sustainable biofuels research.

Justification. The use of a variety of waste materials (agricultural, dairy, forest, municipal) for energy production, including biogas/biofuels, will help reduce consumption of fossil carbon sources and decrease Californian’s contribution to global climate change. However, a state-oriented plant biomass-based energy industry can only be productive and sustainable if methodologies for energy production from these various waste sources are optimized. The proposed CES will perform research on biogas/ microbial fuel cells with the ultimate goal of deploying to California stakeholders technologies, such as anaerobic digestion and gasification. The CES will be an essential link between research activities in ANR, other UC campuses and potential users of the technology, such as industries tasked with facilitating waste disposal (agricultural, dairy, forest and municipal) and the California biofuel industry. Through the existing ANR Bioenergy Working Group (BEWG, http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Divisionwide_Programs/Workgroups/Workgroup_Directory/?thiswg=430), this CES will link to other CE Specialists (Advisors and AES and other researchers at UC campuses and in the counties) who interact with growers and local bioenergy-focused industry to: (i) develop ties with existing and emerging bioenergy industries and policy makers, and (ii) to implement sustainable bioenergy approaches through applied research. The position is an ideal fit for the recently appointed UC President’s Global Climate Leadership Council, which places major emphasis on the University’s achieving carbon neutrality by 2025, with a specific interest in biogas (CNR Dean J. K. Gilless, personal communication). In addition to the research responsibilities of this CES position, the appointee can play an important role in interacting and educating groups outside the university. There is a demonstrated need for an individual to take the lead in helping relevant groups better understand the importance of these strategies in moving California toward a more sustainable energy path. These efforts could include holding workshops, developing educational resources and working with the media and legislators. What are the top 2-3 issues for this CE Specialist position? - Identifying new species, pathways and microbial interactions for production of biogas/microbial fuel

cells (MFC) in industrial settings; accurately measuring the impact of biogas emission on greenhouse gas production

- Investigating factors influencing the suitability of different feedstocks for digestion - Helping the public and legislators develop a better understanding of the importance of utilizing waste

materials to generate energy, both to improve the environment and to make economic gains

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What is the likelihood of significant outcomes and impact? Use of microbes to produce fuels from lignocellulose and other waste products is an active research area at UC Berkeley, including PMB department faculty, many of whom interact closely on these research problems with colleagues at the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI), the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBML). There are also close connections with the USDA Western Regional Research Center, where the Bioproduct Chemistry & Engineering Group conducts research in this area (see Orts letter). The present CES in PMB (Peggy Lemaux) has over two decades of success in interacting with the public on technologically complex issues.

What substantiates the need for the position? We believe that a CES active in this area will be an important conduit in linking basic research and development on biogas/MFC occurring at UCB and within ANR with the implementation of these methodologies for use by California businesses and communities. In addition, there is need for an individual whose responsibilities include interacting and communicating about these approaches to lawmakers, the media, industry and the general public. The goals of this position fit within four areas of interest articulated in the ANR Strategic Vision 2025: (i) cleaner, more secure energy; (ii) clean, secure sufficient water; (iii) resilient biologically diverse healthy ecosystems; and (iv) clean, healthy, sustainable places to live (http://ucanr.org/files/906.pdf). Explain the need for ANR to invest in the new position. Renewable energy for small businesses and communities, resulting from the utilization of agricultural/dairy/forest/municipal wastes, is an unrealized opportunity to decrease dependence on fossil fuels, improve the environment and contribute positively to global climate change. Microorganisms are the driving force in transforming organic waste into utilizable fuels, such as biogas and energy generation via microbial fuel cells. Research in this area in academic and governmental laboratories and in the private sector is gaining strong momentum. However, for California to take full advantage of these opportunities, there is a critical need for a CES to bridge the gap between the development of microbial-based energy options and their implementation by business. There is also a need for education on the benefits of this approach in order to enable the commercial sector to realize the potential of deriving microbial-based fuels from wastes. Extension. The use of biomass from agricultural, dairy, forest and municipal wastes to generate energy will help California reduce its consumption of fossil carbon sources for energy and reduce the state’s contribution to global climate change. To this end, it is vital for University of California AES faculty, Specialists and Advisors to be integrally involved with the rapidly developing biofuel industry in California. This approach emphasizes the necessity for the continuum of professionals within ANR to achieve the goals outlined in this description. Extension activities will include serving as a link to California businesses to implement effective technologies, as well as engaging and informing legislators, media and the public on the value of these approaches. Research. Bioenergy is an attractive addition to California’s portfolio for meeting its energy needs from available, sustainable resources. For example, energy available from biomass provided by agricultural, dairy, forest and municipal wastes represents a major untapped source of energy and will also help solve the critical environmental problem of waste removal. However, barriers to transferring such technologies, developed through research, to communities and businesses remains an obstacle. The CES will help bridge this gap by providing a conduit to move the research advances to appropriate venues.

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Publication Outlets for Research. Internal to ANR. Several outlets for information dissemination within ANR exist: California Agriculture and UC Delivers (http://ucanr.edu/delivers/). Although not directly linked to ANR, CE Specialists are expected to publish and make their work widely known in informal outlets, such as local newspapers, radio and TV. External to ANR. The CES will publish in scientific journals applicable to the development of sustainable biogas/microbial fuel cells technology, such as the Journal of Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Biofuels, and Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

ANR Network. The position will strengthen the ANR Network at the campus and county levels in emerging areas related to microbial biofuel production that are of growing importance to California. Through the existing BEWG, the CES will link internally to county-based CE Advisors and other CE Specialists with campus-based researchers at the Davis, Berkeley, Riverside and other UC campuses and externally with growers, developing bioenergy industries and policy makers in California. The position has support in the ANR Community: see letters from Jeffrey Dahlberg, Director, UC Kearney Agricultural Research & Education Center; David Zilberman, Professor and CE Specialist, UCB Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics; and Thomas Harter, CE Specialist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis.

Network External to ANR. Potential network stakeholders include the American Biogas Council: https://www.americanbiogascouncil.org/ and the Bioenergy Association of California: http://www.bioenergyca.org. This proposal has the support of leaders in the bioenergy field: see letters from Chris Somerville, Director of the Energy Biosciences Institute and Visiting Scientist at LBNL, and William J. Orts, Research Leader, Bioproducts and Biofuels, USDA Western Regional Research Center. Support. If this position is approved, the PMB Department will provide laboratory and office space for the appointee. Like other faculty in the PMB Department, the appointee will be expected to obtain grants to fund their research and outreach activities. Other support. A CES with the expected credentials will be able to apply for and obtain funding from the DOE, USDA, NSF, State of California and the Energy Biosciences Institute. Location. The CES will be located in the PMB Department at UC Berkeley. The appointee will be uniquely situated to interact and collaborate with other biofuels researchers in PMB, the Energy Biosciences Institute, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), the USDA WRRC and the Kearny Ag Station (see Dahlberg letter). Developed and proposed by: The position is proposed by Robert Fischer, Chair, and N. Louise Glass, Associate Chair, on behalf of the Department of Plant & Microbial Biology at UC Berkeley. This proposal was developed in consultation with Chris Somerville, Professor and Director of the Energy Biosciences Institute and Visiting Scientist at LBNL; Peggy G. Lemaux, PMB’s current CES; and Professor Emeritus Bob B. Buchanan. Addendum: UC Davis is submitting a CE Specialist proposal in Bioenvironmental Engineering that is complementary to ours. Assuming both positions are approved, Berkeley and Davis have agreed to keep each other informed during the recruitment process to insure complementarity of the appointees.

"KARE"ing for the farmers, consumers and environment of the San Joaquin, California and the Nation!

May 8, 2014 Professor Robert Fischer Chair, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology University of California, Berkeley Dear Dr. Fischer: As Director of the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, I am very involved in issues related to sustainable energy production. In fact, part of my research is evaluating sorghum as a potential feedstock for California renewable energy production. For this reason I read with interest the proposal from the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology to recruit a Cooperative Extension Specialist with a focus on applied research and outreach on biogas and microbial fuel cells from agricultural products and waste material. This seems to me to be a critical issue that will aid in the development of technologies that could contribute substantially to sustainable solutions for California’s energy needs. In my view, the position is compatible with the needs of the State of California and with several initiatives of the ANR Strategic Vision 2025.

• Cleaner more secure energy; • Clean, secure sufficient water; • Resilient biologically diverse healthy ecosystems; and • Clean, healthy, sustainable places to live.

I see a particular need by the dairy industry for a position of this type. The industry is in need of alternative methods for disposing of their manure and using such wastes for biogas production would be a means both to remove and convert manure into a useful energy source that could potentially offset their energy needs and provide additional revenue sources for their farms. Any technology, such as what you are proposing, that would encourage such a development would be in the best interests of the dairy industry. Given that this is a Cooperative Extension position, I also see a demonstrated need to have a dedicated individual to interact with and educate groups outside the university. These groups could include the public, media and legislators who need to better understand the importance of such strategies in moving California toward a more sustainable energy path. Another important target group would be appropriate commercial sector partners, for which this person could provide information, resources and contacts to help the industries realize the potential of deriving microbial-based fuels from the diverse agricultural feedstocks and waste streams available in California. Finally, I should mention that I would fully support the appointee having a portion of their research program here at Kearny. We have excellent facilities for various aspects of the proposed work in our Ag Engineering Building and the position would be ideally located to interact with various diaries within a 25 mile radius of the Center. Let me know if I can help in filling this key position. Sincerely,

Jeff Dahlberg, Ph.D. Center Director, KARE E-mail: [email protected]

Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension

9240 South Riverbend Avenue Parlier, CA 93648

(559) 646-6000 office (559) 646-6015 fax

[email protected] http://kare.ucanr.edu

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

BERKELEY DAVIS IRVINE LOS ANGELES RIVERSIDE SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO• • • • • • SANTA BARBARA SANTA CRUZ•

Professor David Zilberman Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics 207 Giannini Hall Berkeley, CA 94720-3310 May 12, 2014 Professor Robert Fischer, Chair, Department of Plant & Microbial Biology Berkeley Campus Dear Chair Fischer: I am pleased to write a letter of support for your Proposal for a CE Specialist to work in the area of biofuels and biogas. I am an Economist and have a special appointment. My research is in biotechnology, biofuels, and water economics. I am a part of the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) at Berkeley and have a split appointment as a Professor and a CE Specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Berkeley. As such, I have been working on several multidisciplinary, statewide activities over the years. I work on the San Joaquin drainage program and with various groups on the economics of water and waste management in California. It is quite clear that research and commercialization of technologies based on molecular and microbial solutions are picking up steam. In the case of biofuels, we have the EBI and related efforts at Davis and Riverside. Every year, I organize the Berkeley Bioeconomy Conference with approximately 150 participants from different countries. I am aware of many individuals from the private sector and municipalities who are interested in learning more about biofuels and biotechnology and how problems can be solved. I receive frequent requests to speak about this topic but, because of other obligations, I have to decline. These would be ideal opportunities for the new CE Specialist. There is a small number of commercial firms that are building plants in Italy, Brazil, and Iowa that are using second-generation biofuel technology. The promising technology that is used at the EBI, Davis, and Riverside would benefit from a CE Specialist in a role like that of Peggy Lemaux to educate practitioners about biofuels and identify areas of practical research to move the technology forward. The appointee would need to work with Economists and others to integrate the efforts of the three campuses. In my view, this area, has been neglected in the past. My Conference and other seminars confirm that this is an area with unique potential. What excites me most is a position that would study biogas. I am now working on a study that attempts to explain why biogas has succeeded in Europe but not in the United States. It was subsidized there, but there were significant concerns about animal waste. In fact, my dissertation was on animal waste, and I have been following this field for many years. Now, we have a major nitrate crisis in the state. Many of the temporary solutions of the past have been exposed for what they were and, now, we need a sustainable solution to animal-waste problems. Here, biogas can provide a unique option. The numbers I have seen suggest that it will be

[email protected] office: (510) 642-6570

fax: (510) 643-8911

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economically viable in the United States, especially taking into account greenhouse-gas and nutrient-management problems. It would provide rural employment and, from my speaking on issues of biofuels, I believe that there is much potential for investment in practical science to make the technology very cheap.

The area of biofuels and biogas could use new knowledge to provide new and practical solutions. Work in this field would be an asset to the campus and state.

Sincerely,

David Zilberman Professor and Robinson Chair Cooperative Extension Specialist

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS BERKELEY � DAVIS � IRVINE � LOS ANGELES � RIVERSIDE � SAN DIEGO � SAN FRANCISCO SANTA BARBARA � SANTA CRUZ DEPARTMENT OF LAND, AIR AND WATER RESOURCES ONE SHIELDS AVENUE HYDROLOGY PROGRAM DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95616-8628 VEIHMEYER HALL TEL: (530) 752-0453 FAX: (530) 752-5262 http://lawr.ucdavis.edu/hyd

May 7, 2014

Dear Bob, With this letter, I am writing to support a Cooperative Extension Specialist position on applied research and outreach regarding the development and use of biogas and microbial fuel cell solutions that also address nutrient and salt extraction from biomass. The position will be most interesting if directed not only toward developing technologies that contribute to sustainable solutions for California’s energy needs, but at the same time address important needs for recycling nutrients from human, animal, plant and food waste, while extracting harmful salinity. I fully support an effort that focuses on utilizing agricultural, forest and dairy waste through the use of microorganisms via microbial fuel cells that will transform organic waste into utilizable fuels, such as biogas, biofuels and electricity; extract nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) for commercial distribution; and finds ways to extract salts for safe disposal (e.g., into oceans). This seems to be a relatively unrealized opportunity to decrease dependence on fossil fuels while increasing environmental sustainability of farming. The position will complement the University of California President’s Global Climate Leadership Council which places a major emphasis on producing carbon neutral power and specifically biogas (http://ucsa.org/get-involved/special-committees/global-climate-leadership-council/). In addition to contributing to the state’s energy needs, the research will help alleviate the water pollution problem associated with California’s dairy industry and other producers of plant/human/food waste. The work on microbial fuel cells needs to be done at a larger scope than to simply extract carbon from biomass for energy production. Biomass has at least three other critical components: nitrogen, phosphorus, and salts. Digesters and other forms of biomass energy sources extract C, but leave N, P, and salts in the waste-stream. Digesters will therefore not solve one of California's most perplexing problems: the large amount of N, P, and salts generated by dairies, all of which have major environmental impacts. The advantage of digesters/biogas/microbial fuel cells is that it attracts intelligent minds to cow manure. Secondly, biogas has the attention of farmers. Strategically, this is fertile ground for adding processes (black boxes) to the microbial fuel cell that will generate commercial fertilizer (easily packaged, shipped, and labeled, with accountable fertilizer value - something that manure is currently not), and that will separate the salts into something that can easily be disposed of (or recycled), even when generated far from the ocean. I strongly support a position that looks at integrated microbial and other engineering solutions not only for energy production (C cycling), but also for production of commercially usable N and P fertilizer, and a salt solution to using biomass for energy production All of this will not work without significant outreach and education in the area of biogas and waste processing, which would be an important contribution from this CE position. The appointee would be a dedicated conduit to the community to aid in developing an understanding of the importance of such an approach in addressing California’s energy and water needs in a more sustainable, environmentally suitable approach. With best regards, Thomas Harter, Ph.D. Cooperative Extension Specialist [email protected]

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

ENERGY BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE PHONE: 510-643-6265 2151 BERKELEY WAY, MC 5230 FAX: 510-642-1490 BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 94704-5230 May  7,  2014      N. Louise Glass Professor and Associate Chair Plant and Microbial Biology Dept University of California Berkeley, CA 94720 Dear Louise, I am writing to enthusiastically endorse your proposal to recruit and appoint in PMB a CE specialist with expertise in microbial aspects of biogas production. From my vantage point as Director of the EBI I have become well-acquainted with many aspects of biogas production, here and abroad. My colleague Heather Youngs has done several reports on biogas for the EBI and has noted that there is a huge latent opportunity in California. She estimates that there are almost ten thousand commercial-scale biogas production facilities in Germany but only ten in California in spite of the large potential biomass resource here. She believes that part of the reason for the lack of development is simply a lack of technical leadership in the area and that CE specialists in this are could stimulate the development of a large resource in California that would be very complementary to the projected expansion of wind and solar energy because the biogas generators could be used when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining (i.e., for “load following”). Because biogas producers utilize local biomass, they are generally relatively small – typically in the 1 MW to 5 MW range (1 MW = 1 million watts). Based on our analysis of developments elsewhere in the world we envision that California could have thousands of operators on this scale that could collectively produce as much power as several large nuclear reactors and employ thousands of people. These small operators will need source of practical technical information and, possibly, some analytical capabilities associated with maintaining the productivity of the biogas reactors. The proposed CE microbiologist would be perfectly qualified to meet this type of need and I endorse your request for the position with the greatest enthusiasm. Sincerely,

Chris Somerville Philomathia Professor of Alternative Energy Director, Energy Biosciences Institute 510-643-6265

SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ

BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES • MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO

United States Department of Agriculture

Research, Education, and Economics

Agricultural Research Service Research, Education, and Economics

Agricultural Research Service

USDA-ARS-WRRC 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710 Office: 510.559.5730 Cell: 510.508.5730 [email protected] Fax: 510.559.5818

USDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Professor Robert Fischer Chair, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology University of California, Berkeley Dear Chair Fischer, May 7, 2014 I recently learned of a proposal from the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology to recruit a Cooperative Extension Specialist, the focus for whom would be applied research and outreach on biogas and microbial fuel cells. As the Research Leader for Biofuels and Bioproducts at the USDA Western Region Research Center in Albany, I am writing to express my strong support for this very important recruitment proposal. The proposed goal of this CE Specialist is to convert an environmental blight into a business and educational opportunity for California. Specifically, biogas is always produced by natural degradation of manure and forest/crop residues. And, when it is released unchecked into the environment, biogas is 21 times more potent than CO2 as a heat-trapping greenhouse gas (GHG). I applaud the vision here of collecting and converting biogas into clean-burning bioenergy via microbial fuel cells. Over the past 30 years I have been very involved in issues related to sustainable energy production, and I feel that this is an opportune time for this type of CE expert. In the United States, biogas utilization is a vastly unrealized opportunity, although it is widely used in Europe. In fact, half of the gas used in natural gas vehicles in Sweden is from waste-derived biogas (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/emerging_biogas.html). This critical technology is just being recognized in the U.S. The Obama administration recently announced that, in June of 2014, three federal agencies will team up with the U.S. dairy industry to release a "Biogas Roadmap," a plan to outline the potential sources of biogas throughout the nation. While this roadmap is a nice strategy aimed to kick-start a multi-billion dollar industry that will reduce GHG emissions, more is needed. We now need experts “on the ground” to develop and promote best practices. As an active biofuels researcher at the USDA, I have a personal interest in biogas utilization, as we have a facility in Salinas California that converts municipal solid waste and agriculturally-derived biomass into biogas for electricity production. Our group would benefit from fuel cells expertise because fuel cells generally burn “cleaner”. I support the demonstrated need to have a dedicated individual interacting with and educating groups outside of the university. California has adopted very progressive laws, which are being phased in over the next decade, for reducing GHG’s. The public, media, legislators and companies will all need a better understanding of technologies that embrace California’s new bioeconomy as it moves toward addressing climate change issues. A CE Specialist will help California adopt the latest technological advances for converting our natural resources into bioenergy via microbial-based fuels. I fully appreciate the important role that CE Specialists play in both research and outreach efforts. I would be pleased, once this individual is chosen, to assist them in realizing the important goals of this position. Sincerely,

Research Leader, Bioproducts & Biofuels