Jay Fitzgerald Chief Scientist, Bioenergy Technologies Office U.S. Department of Energy

Dr. Jay Fitzgerald is a technology manager for the Conversion Program in the Bioenergy Technologies Office at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In that role, he manages a portfolio of research and development projects focused on overcoming the challenges in converting biomass into fuels, chemicals, and materials. Specifically, he focuses on biological conversion using engineered enzymes and organisms to convert biomass in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.

Jay was previously an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the DOE Office of Science’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research. He completed his doctorate in organic chemistry at Stanford University in Dr. Chaitan Khosla’s laboratory, focusing on the biosynthesis of medicinally useful polyketides. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a minor in economics from Middlebury College.