Berkeley, California, United States
At RareTerra we selectively mine Rare Earths Elements with bacteria. REEs are critical components of clean energy and consumer technologies, but the supply chain is notoriously volatile and there is currently no U.S. production. Therefore, RareTerra is catalyzing manufacturing by cutting production costs of REEs in half and lowering global warming potential by 90% using bacteria that have an innate love for REEs.
Founded in 2015, Activate empowers scientists to reinvent the world by launching startups to address climate change and other global challenges. Working between government, philanthropy, universities, and the private sector, Activate transforms scientists into high-impact entrepreneurs through the Activate Fellowship, a two-year immersive experience that provides funding and fosters the resources, knowledge, networks, investors, and partnerships that fellows need to succeed. Activate is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and does not charge any fee or equity for fellows to participate. Activate’s entrepreneurial fellowship model originated from the Cyclotron Road program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a founding Activate partner. Activate supports fellows in communities across the U.S.: Activate Berkeley, Activate Boston, Activate New York, and Activate Anywhere, and will be launching Activate Houston in 2024. Learn more at Activate.org.
Developed a microbial platform for recovery of Rare Earth Elements. Evolved our platform for the recovery of the heavy lanthanide, gadolinium. Was awarded a Bakar Innovations Fellowship for this work. Mentored and led 6 undergraduate research projects. Written and published scientific journal articles and book chapters.
Produced 18 editorial contributions
Discovered and characterized lanthanide-dependent enzymes and metabolic pathways in bacteria. Published in highly respected peer-reviewed journals. Mentored 18 undergraduate students.