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Lee Rybeck Lynd

Lee Rybeck Lynd

Paul E. and Joan H. Queneau Distinguished Professor in Environmental Engineering Design
Adjunct Professor of Biological Sciences
Professor Extraordinary of Microbiology, Stellenbosch U., South Africa
Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Mascoma Corporation
603/646-2231
Lee.Lynd@Dartmouth.edu

Overview

Professor Lynd is an expert on the production of energy from plant biomass and conducts leading research on microbial cellulose utilization. His research group has been active for over two decades, authoring over 100 papers, book chapters, and reviews as well as 11 patents and patent applications. A frequent presenter on the technical and strategic aspects of biomass energy, Lynd has testified three times before the United States Senate, and his work has been featured in both national and international media such as Wired, Forbes, Nova, and the Nobel Conference.
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Education

  • B.S., Biology, Bates College, 1979
  • M.S., Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1981
  • M.S., Engineering Sciences, Thayer School of Engineering, 1983
  • D.E., Engineering, Thayer School of Engineering, 1987

Research Interests

Technology for production of energy from cellulosic biomass; transition paths to a sustainable world; metabolic engineering; applied microbiology; process design and evaluation.

Current Research Projects

Teaching, 2009-2011

Selected Publications

  • Shaw, A.J., K.K. Podkaminer, S.G. Desai, J.S. Bardsley, S.R. Rogers, P.G. Thorne, D.A. Hogsett, and L.R. Lynd. 2008. Metabolic engineering of a thermophilic bacterium to produce ethanol at high yield. PNAS 105:13769-13774 (Abstract)

  • Lynd, L.R., M.S. Laser, D. Bransby, B.E. Dale, B. Davison, R. Hamilton, M. Himmel, M. Keller, J. D. McMillan, J. Sheehan, C.E. Wyman. 2008. How biotech can transform biofuels. Nature Biotechnology 26:169-172

  • Lynd, L.R., M. Laser, J. McBride, K. Podkaminer, J. Hannon. Energy myth three - High land requirements and an unfavorable energy balance preclude biomass ethanol from playing a large role in providing energy services. Invited chapter in: B. Sovacool and M. Brown (eds) Energy and American Society: Thirteen Myths Springer. 2007

  • Lu, Y., Y.-H. P. Zhang, L.R. Lynd. 2006. Enzyme-microbe synergy during cellulose hydrolysis by Clostridium thermocellum. PNAS 103(44):16165-16169 (Abstract)

  • Zhang, Y.-H.P., L.R. Lynd. 2005. Cellulose utilization by Clostridium thermocellum:bioenergetics and hydrolysis product assimilation. PNAS 102:7321-7325

  • Lynd, L.R., P.J. Weimer, W.H. van Zyl, I.S. Pretorius. 2002. Microbial cellulose utilization: fundamentals and biotechnology. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 66:506-577 (Abstract)

Entrepreneurial

Awards

Patents

  • Lynd, L.R., G. Spieles, and D.A. Hogsett. A Continuous Process for Ethanol Production from Lignocellulosic Materials without Mechanical Agitation. U.S. Patent No. 5,258,293. November 2, 1993.

  • Grethlein, H.E., and L.R. Lynd. Distillation Systems and Methods. U.S. Patent No. 5,124,004. 1992.

  • Grethlein, H.E., and L.R. Lynd. Distillation Process for Ethanol. U.S. Patent No. 4,961,826, October 9, 1990.

  • Grethlein, H.E., and L.R. Lynd. Distillation Process and Apparatus. U.S. Patent No. 4,626,321, Dec. 2, 1986.

  • Zeikus, J.G., and L.R. Lynd. Propagation of Microbial Cells on Single Carbon Products. U.S. Patent No. 4,425,432, January 10, 1984.

Professional Activities

  • Biomass Deconstruction and Conversion Focus Area Leader, DOE-Supported Bioenergy Science Center led by Oak Ridge National Lab, 2007-present

  • Co-leader, "Reimagining Agriculture to Accommodate Large Scale Energy Production", NSF-funded workshop, Nebraska City, 2007

  • Guest lecturer, Advanced Course in Microbial Physiology and Fermentation, Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands, 2005-present

  • Organizing Committee Member, American Academy of Microbiology Symposium on Microbial Energy Production, 2005

  • Advisory Committee Member, “Ethanol from Biomass: America's 21st Century Transportation Fuel”. Sponsored by the Governor's Ethanol Coalition and the Hewlett Foundation, 2004-2005

  • Co-Leader, The Role of Biomass in America's Energy Future, 2003-present

  • Professor Extraordinary of Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2003-present

  • Member and R&D area coordinator, Biomass and Agriculture Working Group of the Energy Future Coalition, 2003

  • Organizing Committee, First Botswana Symposium on Science and Technology for Development, 2000

  • Manager, Link Foundation Energy Fellowship Program, 1998-present

  • Member, Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH., 1998-present

  • Member, Organizing Committee, Annual Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, 1996-present

  • Associate Editor, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 1995-present

  • Member, Presidential Advisory Committee on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Personal Vehicles, 1994-1995

Testimony

Press Releases

In the News