Juergen Polle

Education:

Doctor Rer. Nat., Georg-August University (Goettingen, Germany) - 1997 (Biology)

Areas of Expertise:

Juergen Polle is a leading expert in microalgae biotechnology. For the past 20 years he worked with various microalgae, including unicellular green algae, diatoms and cyanobacteria. Polle is internationally recognized for his work on algae of the genus Dunaliella. His research on stress biology in green algae focuses on secondary carotenoid biosynthesis and biofuels production from microalgae. His research was funded in the past by, for example, the U.S. DOE, NIH and AFOSR.

Books and Publications

Fachet, M., Witte, C., Flassig, R.J., (...), Polle, J.E.W., Sundmacher, K. (2020) Reconstruction and analysis of a carbon-core metabolic network for Dunaliella salina. BMC Bioinformatics 21(1),1 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2020

Msanne J., Polle J., Starkenburg S. (2020) An assessment of heterotrophy and mixotrophy in Scenedesmus and its utilization in wastewater treatment. Algal Research, 48 , art. no. 101911 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2020

Polle J.E.W., Jin E., Ben-Amotz A. (2020) The alga Dunaliella revisited: Looking back and moving forward with model and production organisms. Algal Research, 49 , art. no. 101948 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2020

Polle J.E.W., Roth R., Ben-Amotz A., Goodenough U. (2020) Ultrastructure of the green alga Dunaliella salina strain CCAP19/18 (Chlorophyta) as investigated by quick-freeze deep-etch electron microscopy.
Algal Research, 49 , art. no. 101953. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2020

Polle, J.E.W., Calhoun, S., McKie-Krisberg, Z., (...), Cushman, J.C., Magnusson, J.K. (2020) Genomic adaptations of the green alga Dunaliella salina to life under high salinity. Algal Research
50,101990. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2020

Co-Editor for the journal "Algal Research", Special Issue on The Chlorophyte Dunaliella: Biology and Biotechnology.
This special issue will combine a variety of special topics in research on Dunaliella, providing new information on the genus and its biotechnology. The alga has been intensively studied lately, with the genome of D. salina having been recently published, allowing for new multi-omics approaches in fundamental research of stress biology, and opening new venues for genetic manipulation. In addition, recent (biochemical) scientific studies revealed new features (and biochemical characteristics) of biochemistry, nutrition and medicine for D. salina and D. bardawil. We seek innovative manuscripts that excel in the topics listed above as applied to the understanding of the biology, biochemistry, and applications of Dunaliella microalgae. (Books and Publications: Book (Edited)) 2019

Laje, K., Seger, M., Dungan, B., (...), Polle, J., Omar Holguin, F. (2019) Phytoene accumulation in the novel microalga Chlorococcum sp. Using the pigment synthesis inhibitor fluridone. Marine Drugs
17(3),187

(Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2019

McKie-Krisberg, Z.M., Laurens, L.M.L., Huang, A., Polle, J.E.W. 2018
Comparative energetics of carbon storage molecules in green algae. Algal Research 31, pp. 326-333 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2018

Hovde, B.T., Hanschen, E.R., Steadman Tyler, C.R., (...), Polle, J., Starkenburg, S.R. (2018) Genomic characterization reveals significant divergence within Chlorella sorokiniana (Chlorellales, Trebouxiophyceae). Algal Research 35, pp. 449-461 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2018

Guest Editor for the Special Issue on "Algal Biology - Metabolic Regulation of Microalgae for Biofuels" (Algal Research) (Books and Publications: Book (Edited)) 2017

Guest Editor for the Special Issue on "Algal Biology - Molecular Traits of Microalgae for Biofuels" (Algal Research) (Books and Publications: Book (Edited)) 2017

Lammers, P.J., Huesemann, M., Boeing, W., (...Polle, J....), Yao, Y., Olivares, J.A. Review of the cultivation program within the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts. Algal Research
22, pp. 166-186 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2017

Polle J.E.W., Barry K., Cushman J., Schmutz J., Tran D., Hathwaik L.T., Yim W.C., (...), Magnuson J.
2017 Draft nuclear genome sequence of the halophilic and beta-carotene-accumulating green alga Dunaliella salina strain CCAP19/18. Genome Announcements, 5 (43) , art. no. e01105-17 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2017

Starkenburg S.R., Polle J.E.W., Hovde B., Daligault H.E., Davenport K.W., Huang A., Neofotis P., McKie-Krisberg Z. 2017 Draft nuclear genome, complete chloroplast genome, and complete mitochondrial genome for the biofuel/ bioproduct feedstock species Scenedesmus obliquus strain DOE0152z. Genome Announcements, 5 (32) , art. no. e00617-17 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2017

Unkefer, C.J., Sayre, R.T., Magnuson, J.K., (...Polle, J....), Yuan, J.S., Olivares, J.A. Review of the algal biology program within the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts. Algal Research 22, pp. 187-215 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2017

Jeon, H., Jeong, J., Baek, K., (...), Polle, J.E.W., Jin, E. Identification of the carbonic anhydrases from the unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina strain CCAP 19/18. Algal Research 19, pp. 12-20 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016

Neofotis P., Huang A., Chang W., Joseph F., and J.E.W. Polle. Microalgae strain isolation, screening, and identification for biofuels and high value products. In: Micro-Algal Production for Biomass and High-Value Products. Eds. SP Slocombe & JR Benemann. ISBN: 978-1-4822-1970-8 (Taylor & Francis Catalog #:K22169) (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2016

Neofotis P., Huang A., Sury K., Chang W., Joseph F., Gabr A., Twary S., Qiu W., Holguin O., and J.E.W. Polle. Characterization and Classification of Highly Productive Microalgae Strains Discovered for Biofuel and Bioproduct Generation. Algal Research, Volume 15, April 2016, Pages 164-178 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016

Polle, Jürgen E.W., Peter Neofotis, Andy Huang, William Chang, Kiran Sury and Eliza M. Wiech. "Carbon Partitioning in Green Algae (Chlorophyta) and the Enolase Enzyme." Metabolites 4.3: 612-28. DOI:10.3390/metabo4030612 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2014

Hildebrand M., R.M., Abbriano, J.E.W. Polle, J.C. Traller, E.M. Trentacoste, S.R. Smith and A.K. Davis. "Metabolic and Cellular Organization in Evolutionarily Diverse Microalgae as Related to Biofuels Production." Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 17.3: 506-14. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2013

Lohr, M., J. Schwender and J.E.W. Polle. "Isoprenoid Biosynthesis in Eukaryotic Phototrophs: A Spotlight on Algae." Plant Science 185-186: 9-22. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2012

Ramos, A.A., J.E.W. Polle, D. Tran, J. Cushman, E.S. Jin and J.C. Varela. "The Unicellular Green Alga Dunaliella salina as a Model for Abiotic Stress: Genetic Advances and Future Perspectives." Algae. In press. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2011

Zhang, F., J. Vierock, O. Yizhar, L.E. Fenno, S. Tsunoda, A. Kianianmomeni, M. Prigge, A. Berndt, J. Cushman, J. Polle, J. Magnuson, P. Hegemann, and K. Deisseroth. "The Microbial Opsin Family of Optogenetic Tools." Cell 147: 1446-57. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2011

Blanc, G., G. Duncan, I. Agarkova, M. Borodovsky, J. Gurnon, A. Kuo, E. Lindquist, J.E.W. Polle, A. Salamov,A. Terry, T. Yamada, D.D. Dunigan, I.V. Grigoriev, J.-M. Claverie and J.L. van Etten. "The Chlorella variabilis NC64A Genome Reveals Adaptation to Photosymbiosis, Coevolution With Viruses, and Cryptic Sex." Plant Cell 22.9: 2943-55. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010

Kim, M., S. Park, J.E.W. Polle and E.S. Jin. "cDNA Microarray Analysis of the Transcriptome of Dunaliella sp. (Chlorophyta) Grown Under Different Salinities." Phycological Research 58.1: 17-28. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010

Schubert, B.A., M.N. Timofeeff, T.K. Lowenstein and J.E.W. Polle. "Dunaliella Cells in Fluid Inclusions in Halite: Significance for Long-term Survival of Prokaryotes." Journal of Geomicrobiology 27.1: 61-75. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010

Smith, R., R.W. Lee, J.C. Cushman, J.K. Magnuson, D. Tran and J.E.W. Polle. "The Dunaliella salina organelle Genomes: Large Sequences, Inflated With Intronic and Intergenic DNA." BMC Plant Biology 83. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010

Ben-Amotz, Ami, Juergen E.W. Polle and D.V. Subba Rao. The Alga Dunaliella. Science Publishers. (Books and Publications: Book (Edited)) 2009

Gonzalez, M.A., P.I. Gomez and J.E.W. Polle. "Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Genus Dunaliella." The Alga Dunaliella. Eds. Ami Ben-Amotz, Juergen E.W. Polle and D.V. Subba Rao. Science Publishers. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2009

Jin, E.S. and J.E.W. Polle. "Carotenoids in the Alga Dunaliella." The Alga Dunaliella. Eds. Ami Ben-Amotz, Juergen E.W. Polle and D.V. Subba Rao. Science Publishers. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2009

Polle, J.E.W. and S. Qin. "Development of Genetics and Molecular Tool Kits for Species of the Unicellular Green Alga Dunaliella (Chlorophyta)." The Alga Dunaliella. Eds. Ami Ben-Amotz, Juergen E.W. Polle and D.V. Subba Rao. Science Publishers. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2009

Polle, J.E.W., D. Tran and A. Ben-Amotz. "History, Distribution and Habitats of Algae of the Genus Dunaliella TEODORESCO (Chlorophyceae)." The Alga Dunaliella. Eds. Ami Ben-Amotz, Juergen E.W. Polle and D.V. Subba Rao. Science Publishers. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2009

Tran, D., J. Haven, W-G. Qiu and J.E.W. Polle. "An Update on Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Algae: Phylogenetic Evidence for the Existence of Two Classes of Phytoene Synthase." Planta 229: 723-29. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2009

Polle, J.E.W., L. Struwe and E.S. Jin. "Identification and Characterization of a New Strain of the Unicellular Green Alga Dunaliella salina (Teod.) From Korea." Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 18.5: 821-27. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2008

Gordon, J.M. and J.E.W. Polle. "Ultrahigh Bioproductivity From Algae." Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 76: 969-75. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2007

Polle, J.E.W., L. Struwe and E.S. Jin. "Identification and Characterization of a New Strain of the Unicellular Green Alga Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyta)." Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology. In press. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2007

Instructor's Manual With Test Items for the Textbook "Plant Biology." Chicago: Thomson Gale. (Books and Publications: Book (Authored)) 2006

Park, S., J.E. Polle, A. Melis, T.K. Lee and E. Jin. "Up-regulation of Photoprotection and PSH-repair Gene Expression by Irradiance in the Unicellular Green Alga Dunaliella salina." Marine Biotechnology 8.2: 120-28. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2005

Yokthongwattana, K., T. Savchenko, J.E. Polle and A. Melis. "Isolation and Characterization of a Xanthophyll-rich Fraction From the Thylakoid Membrane of Dunalella salina (green algae)." Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 4.12: 1028-34. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2005

Creative Work

Lectures for the summer course "Capturing the Sun?" Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Boston. 2009

Patent application, for "Regulating the Production of Isoprenoids in Algal Cells." 2009

Patent application, for "Regulating the Production of Long Chain Hydrocarbons." 2009

Awards, Honors and Fellowships

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) located in Richland, WA, USA. EMSL is a DOE Office of Science User Facility.
Project Proposal 50490: Proteogenomics to Discover Principles Regulating Metabolic Networks in Oleagenous Green Algae.
Principal Investigator Dr. Juergen Polle;
Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Zaid McKie-Krisberg;
Performance Period October 2018 to September 2019
(Grants and Fellowships) 2018

STTR Phase I, US Department of Energy;
MicroBio Engineering, Inc. with PI Dr. Aubrey Davis;
Brooklyn College of CUNY Research Institution Contact Dr. Juergen Polle;
Title: Domestication of the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus for biomass feedstock production.
Abstract: To advance a strong and economical biofuels and bioproducts industry, tools are needed for breeding microalgae to improve phenotypes of commercial interest, including biomass yield, culture stability, harvestability, and accumulation of valuable compounds. This project aims to increase biomass feedstock yields by the phototrophic green alga Scenedesmus obliquus by using classical breeding approaches combined with advanced genomics technologies. S. obliquus is an oleaginous alga that can be robustly cultivated in open raceway-type ponds and accumulates valuable carotenoid compounds that can feed directly into established commercial markets.
(Grants and Fellowships) 2018

Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, for "A Systems Biology and Pond Culture-Based Understanding and Improvement of Metabolic Processes Related to Productivity in Diverse Microalgal Classes for Viable Biofuel Production." Principal investigator: Mark Hildebrand (University of California, San Diego); collaborators: Juergen Polle and Michael Huesemann (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory). (Grants and Fellowships) 2014

Grant, contract from PNNL. (Grants and Fellowships) 2014

Member, National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bio-Products. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013

Phase I contract. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013

Leonard and Claire Tow Professor, 2011-12. (Awards and Honors) 2011

Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, for "Development of Pollution Prevention Technologies."
J.E.W. Polle and R. Sanchez-Delgado, co-principal investigators. (Grants and Fellowships) 2010

Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, for "National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts - An Algal Biofuels Research Consortium." Co-principal investigator. Consortium under the lead of the Donald Danforth Center and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. (Grants and Fellowships) 2010

Utah DNR collaborative grant, for "Great Salt Lake Microalgae Populations as Indicator Species of Habitat Quality: Novel Methods for Monitoring." J.E. Polle and Dr. Baxter (Westminster College). (Grants and Fellowships) 2009

AFOSR, for creating a collection of microalgae for biofuels research. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

Research Activities

Sabbatical Spring 2019: Affiliate with the Joint Genome Institute, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Walnut Creek, CA, USA
2019

Joined the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels & Bioproducts. 2009

Attended the 7th European Workshop on Microalgal Biotechnology, Potsdam, Germany. 2007

Attended the Algae Biomass Summit, San Francisco. 2007

Attended the Eastern Regional Photosynthesis Conference, Woods Hole, Mass. 2007

Attended the Western Regional Photosynthesis Conference, Pacific Grove, Calif. 2007

Set up the Dunaliella Culture collection, Brooklyn College. 2003

Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums

6th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts
26-29 June 2016
San Diego, United States
Polle and McKie-Krisberg
Oral Presentation:
Genome-based Analysis of Metabolism of the Green Alga Acutodesmus obliquus.
(Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2017

Algae Biomass Summit
Glendale, Arizona 85305
United States
Oral Presentation:
Investigation of the Ploidy and Genome Organization of Potential Platform
Species of Green Algae (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2016

"Regulation of Metabolism in Green Algae." Queens College (CUNY). April 15. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015

Algae Biomass Summit, 2015, Washington (DC), USA
Title: Metabolic Design Principles in Green Algae (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015

The 5th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels & Bioproducts
June 2015, San Diego, USA
Plenary Session 6
J.E.W. Polle
Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, USA; The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, USA
Title: Carbon core metabolism in Green Algae (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015

"Bioprospecting Microalgae for Biofuels & Bioproducts: Finding, Screening and Analysis of Strains." Canada-U.S. Algae Workshop. San Diego, Oct. 3. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

"Development of New Strains of Microalgae: Considering Carbon Partitioning for Algal Strain Improvement." 2014 Algae Biomass Summit. San Diego, Sept. 29 - Oct. 2. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

"Freshwater Algae." Scripps Institution of Oceanography. San Diego, Sept. 29. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

"Metabolism in Green Alga: Lessons learned from the model halophilic alga Dunaliella salina." Sandia National Laboratories. Livermore, Calif., July 23. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

Invited to give an oral presentation at the 3rd AOAIS (Asia-Oceania Algae Innovation Summit), Daejeon, South Korea, Nov. 17-20. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014

"Algal Biofuels." Sustainable Energy and Design Conference. Bronx Community College (CUNY). The Bronx, N.Y. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2013

"Analysis of Metabolism of the Halo-Tolerant Unicellular Green Alga Dunaliella salina." Halophiles - 10th International Conference on Halophilic Microorganisms. Storrs, Conn. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2013

"Bioprospecting Microalgae for Biofuels & Bioproducts: Finding, Screening, and Analysis of Strains." European Algal Biomass Conference. Vienna. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2013

"Discovery and Development of Strains of Microalgae for Phototrophic Biofuels Applications." 9th European Workshop Biotechnology of Microalgae. Nuthetal, Germany. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

"Isoprenoid Metabolism in Microalgae: Biosynthesis, Regulation, and Metabolic Sinks." 2nd International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts. San Diego. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

"Isoprenoid Metabolism in theDiverse Lineages of Micoalgae." 6th Algae Biomass Summit. Denver. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

"Microalgae Biofuels: From Bioprospecting to Cell Factories." Rutgers University. New Jersey. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

"Microalgae Biofuels: Strain Selection and Metabolism." University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

"Microalgae for Biofuels & Bioproducts: From Bioprospecting to Strain Analysis." V Convención de Energía Renovable y Eficiencia Energética. Galileo Univeridad. Guatemala City. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

"Microalgae Strain Development:From Cell Isolation to Cell Factories." Brooklyn College. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

"Strain Development of Microalgae:From Strain Isolation to Cell Factories." Conference on Genomics & Systems Biology. NYU Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2012

"Identification of Novel Strains of Microalgae for Biofuels Applications." 3rd Annual Algae World Summit. San Diego. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

"Identification of Novel Strains of Microalgae for Biofuels Applications." Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts. St. Louis, July 17-20. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

"Lipidomics of the Unicellular Green Alga Dunaliella salina" poster. U.S. DOE Joint Genome Institute User Meeting. Walnut Creek, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011

"Microalgae Strain Development for Biofuels Applications." 3rd Annual Algae World Summit. San Diego. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

"Microalgae Strain Development for Biofuels Applications." Lehman College (CUNY). The Bronx, N.Y. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

"Optimizing the Selection of Microalgae for Oil Production." Algae Biomass Summit. Minneapolis. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

"Overcoming Biological Challenges Through Strain Development." Brookhaven National Laboratory. Upton, N.Y. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

"The Potential of Microalgae for Biofuels Applications: Identification of Novel Strains of Algae." Hofstra University. Hempstead, N.Y. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2011

"Microalgae for Biofuels Applications." Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos, N.M., August. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2010

"Photosynthetic Efficiencies in Microalgae Cultures." 8th European Workshop on Algae Biotechnology. Potsdam, Germany, June. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2010

"A Model Halophyte -- The Green Alga Dunaliella Salina" poster. User Meeting of the U.S. DOE Joint Genome Institute. Walnut Creek, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2009

"Algae to Biofuels: From Strain Isolation to Strain Engineering." Institute of Bioengineering. Santa Clara, Calif. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2009

"From Bio-Prospecting for New Microalgae Strains to Strain Engineering." Algal Biotechnology & Bioenergy Seminar. Scripps Institution of Oceanography. San Diego. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2009

"High Through-put Isolation and Screening of Novel Algal Strains for Biofuels Applications." Algae Biomass Summit. San Diego. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2009

2nd Conference of the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization. New York. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2009

AIChE Annual Meeting. Nashville, Tenn. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2009

Westminster College. Salt Lake City. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2009

"A Century With the Halophilic Alga Dunaliella: An Update." Binghamton University (SUNY). Binghamton, N.Y. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2008

"Algae to Biofuels: From Strain Isolation to Strain Engineering." National Renewable Energy Laboratories. Golden, Colo. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2008

"Algae to Fuels." Summer Seminar Series on Governor's Island for CUNY Sustainable Cities. New York. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2008

"Bioprospecting for Microalgae." AFOSR-NREL Workshop. Arlington, Va. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2008

"Bioprospecting of Microalgae and the Alga Dunaliella." Utah State University. Logan, Utah. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2008

"Carotenoid Biosynthesis in the Halophilic Alga Dunaliella salina TEOD (Chlorophyta)." Conference of the International Society for Salt Lake Research. Salt Lake City. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2008

"Creating a Culture Collection of Microalgae for Biofuels Research." AFOSR review meeting. Arlington, Va., August. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2008

"Creating a Collection of Microalgae for Biofuels Research." AFOSR-NREL Workshop on Algae Biofuels. Golden, Colo. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2007

"Development of Molecular and Genetic Tools for the Unicellular Alga Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyta)" poster. International Marine Biotechnology Conference. Eilat, Israel. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007

"Enhancing Productivity of Marine Microalgae for Greenhouse Gas Abatement." International Marine Biotechnology Conference. Eilat, Israel. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2007

"Enhancing Productivity of Microalgae." Ben-Gurion University. Sede Boker, Israel. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2007

"Enhancing Productivity of Microalgae." University of Nevada at Reno. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2007

Project Kaleidoskope Faculty of the 21st Century Meeting. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007

Professional Leadership

Associate Editor for the journal "Algal Research". (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2020

Member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the DISCOVR program, a consortium of National Laboratories (https://discovr.labworks.org/). (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2020

Member, editorial board, for the journal "Algal Research". (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2020

Co-chair for the Biology Track for the 2019 Algae Biomass Summit. Algae Biomass Summit
September 16-19, Rosen Centre Orlando, Orlando, Florida, CA (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2019

Member, editorial board, Algal Research. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2019

Member, editorial board, Journal of Applied Phycology. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2019

Co-chair for the Biology Track for the 2018 Algae Biomass Summit.
October 14 - October 17, 2018
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
The Woodlands (Greater Houston), Texas, USA (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2018

Member, editorial board, Algal Research. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2018

Member, editorial board, Journal of Applied Phycology. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2018

Member, editorial board, Algal Research. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2017

Member, editorial board, Journal of Applied Phycology. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2017

Member of the Scientific Committee for the 6th AlgalBBB Conference, San Diego, June 26-29, 2016. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2016

Member, editorial board, Algal Research. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2016

Member, editorial board, Journal of Applied Phycology. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2016

Chairperson, Department of Biology, Spring Semester (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2016

Departmental Chairperson, Summer 2016 (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2016

The U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) will host the Algal Biology Toolbox Workshop:
"Sharpening Our Tools: Algal Biology Toolbox Workshop"

San Diego, CA 92101

The purpose of this workshop is to gather lead experts in the field of algal biology to discuss the following:
-The current state of algal biological tools, including our understanding of algal biology and biochemistry, available molecular toolboxes, ?omics databases, and other resources
- Challenges to developing and applying a full suite of biology tools to improve algae performance and system robustness
- Strategies to advance progress toward commercial algal biofuels.

Attendees will review the tools and resources available to grow, monitor, valorize, and genetically enhance algae for biofuel production and will help inform a strategy for leveraging these tools to realize a future where algae-based biofuels and bioproducts contribute significantly to the U.S. bioeconomy. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2016

Algae Biomass Summit, 2015, Washington (DC), USA
Track 1: Progress in Algal Biology Research, Omics Analysis and Strain Improvement
Panel Chair: Juergen Polle, Brooklyn College (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2015

Member of the Scientific Committee for the 5th AlgalBBB Conference, San Diego, June 7-10, 2015. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2015

Member, editorial board, Algal Research. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2015

Member, editorial board, Journal of Applied Phycology. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2015

The 5th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels & Bioproducts
June 2015, San Diego, USA
Session 1A -Algal Biology ? Biodiversity and Bioprospecting
Chair: Juergen Polle ,Brooklyn College of CUNY, United States
(Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2015

Member, editorial board, Algal Research. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2014

Member, editorial board, Journal of Applied Phycology. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2014

"Powering the Future: Will Algae Fuel Your Next Car?" By Chenda Ngak. CBS News. July 8. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2013

Editorial board member, Algal Research. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2013

Member, editorial board, Journal of Applied Phycology. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2013

Reviewer for USDA. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2013

Reviewer for various journals. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2012

Session chairman, Biology Track, "Advances in Algal Research V: Microbial Ecology, Biological Threats and Crop Protection in Algal Mass Culture," Algae Biomass Summit. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2011

Member, editorial board, Journal of Applied Phycology. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2010

Session co-chair, Conference of the International Society for Salt Lake Research, Salt Lake City. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2008

Member, consortium responsible for the genome sequencing project of the unicellular green alga Dunaliella salina. Sequencing of the genome is in process by the Joint Genome Institute. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2007

Pedagogical Achievements

Created the graduate course Genomics & Beyond to introduce the concept of systems biology into the curriculum at Brooklyn College. 2010

Community Activities

Brooklyn College Science Retreat
Oral Presentation:
Unraveling Diversity of Metabolism in Green Algae: A Systems Approach. 2016

Reviewer for manuscripts from various journals. 2014

Other Professional Activities

Affiliate with the Joint Genome Institute, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Walnut Creek, CA, USA. 2022

On leave with the company Microbio Engineering, Inc. in California, USA 2022

Affiliate with the Joint Genome Institute, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Walnut Creek, CA, USA. 2021

On leave with the company Microbio Engineering, Inc. in California, USA 2021

Sabbatical Spring 2020: Affiliate with the Joint Genome Institute, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Walnut Creek, CA, USA. 2020

Reviewer for manuscripts from various journals. 2013

"BioEnergy I - Energy Through Photosynthesis" and "BioEnergy II - Algae to Fuels" guest lectures for the course Capturing the Sun. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Boston, August. 2010

Ad hoc reviewer for grants from the USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy. 2010

Sabbatical with the algae biofuels company 'Sapphire Energy'. 2009

"Biofuels From Algae." Brooklyn College Sustainability Round Table. 2008

Invited participant, U.S. Department of Energy roadmap workshop, Maryland, December. 2008