NAPLES, Fla., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Algenol Biofuels, developers of DIRECT TO ETHANOL(TM), the most advanced third generation biofuels technology, today announced the appointment of Dr. John R. Coleman as Chief Science Officer. Dr. Coleman, currently the Vice-Principal Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto, has over 20 years of experience in the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry of photosynthetic carbon metabolism in higher plants and cyanobacteria.
“I am excited to join Algenol as they enter the commercialization phase of their development,” commented Dr. John R. Coleman, Chief Science Officer, Algenol Biofuels. “Based upon over 20 years of experience in photosynthesis research, I believe Algenol’s Direct to Ethanol(TM) process is able to deliver several key benefits over the many current alternatives for producing ethanol and algae-based biodiesel. Although Algenol’s process is already highly efficient and capable of producing a low cost ethanol, I am confident we can continue to further enhance the efficiency of this process.”
Prior to his current post at the University of Toronto, Dr. Coleman was Chair of the Department of Botany from 1998 to 2004 and played a primary role in the formation of the new Department of Cell and Systems Biology in 2006.
“We are thrilled that Dr. Coleman has joined Algenol to help us in our development and production of third-generation biofuels, which leverages the photosynthetic process to produce ethanol in one step,” said Paul Woods, co-founder and CEO of Algenol Biofuels. “His demonstrated leadership in this area and over 20 years of experience with algae will be a great advantage as we strive to address the world’s growing transportation fuel needs.”
Dr. Coleman received his Ph.D. in plant biochemistry from York University in 1981 and continued his studies in plant molecular biology as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution of Washington at Stanford University prior to joining the University of Toronto in 1984.
About Algenol Biofuels
Algenol Biofuels, Inc., a privately owned company, was founded in early 2006 and is engaged in broad research and development efforts to develop industrial-scale production systems to make ethanol from algae. The company’s DIRECT TO ETHANOL(TM) process is the most advanced third generation biofuels technology that produces industrial-scale, low cost ethanol using algae, sunlight, CO2 and seawater. It is the only end-to-end commercial process that stabilizes and reduces CO2 levels. Algenol is slated for commercial sales of ethanol in 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.algenolbiofuels.com.
CONTACT: Kerry Kelly-Guiliano, FD, +1-617-747-3603, Kerry.guiliano@fd.com,
for Algenol Biofuels, Inc.
Web site: http://www.algenolbiofuels.com/
