11. Sustainable and Biodegradable Products from Algae (video)

Algenesis is a bio-materials company that is addressing the problem of plastic pollution with the first biodegradable plant-based alternatives for high performance polyurethanes: bio-based polyurethanes made from plant-based feedstocks. These bio-based plastics are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics, which are a major contributor to pollution and climate change. Its mission is to provide cost-competitive, sustainable, and high performance bio-based polyurethane products that meet the demands of consumers and industry, while reducing the environmental impact of plastic pollution. Our speaker, Stephen Mayfield, is a Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology at UC San Diego, and CEO of Algenesis Materials. His research focuses on using algae for the production of bio-products, including food and polymers. Steve received BS degrees in Biochemistry and Plant Biology from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, and a PhD in Molecular Genetics from UC Berkeley. Following a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Geneva in Switzerland he returned to California as an assistant professor at the Scripps Research Institute where he remained for 22 years, becoming the Dean of Biology before joining UC San Diego in 2009. In addition to running his research group and university research center, Steve also founded Rincon Pharmaceutical in 2005, Sapphire Energy in 2007, Triton Health and Nutrition in 2013, and Algenesis Materials in 2016. To learn more, see:https://www.algenesismaterials.comhttps://blueviewfootwear.com ⁠⁠More about the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley⁠⁠    Website: ⁠⁠Rotary.cool⁠ Meetings’ ⁠⁠Video Archive⁠⁠ YouTubeChannel⁠⁠  How to become a member in ⁠⁠this online Rotary eClub⁠⁠       ⁠⁠More about Rotary International:⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠www.Rotary.org⁠⁠ Find a ⁠⁠local Rotary club⁠⁠  Find an ⁠⁠online Rotary Club⁠⁠   Podcast and Zoom Host: ⁠⁠Rushton Hurley⁠⁠ Podcast Producer: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠ Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠  #PositiveChange #Inspiration #Rotary