Daniel L. Sanchez

Daniel L. Sanchez is an Associate Professor of Cooperative Extension at the University of California-Berkeley, affiliated with the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management. His research focuses on engineered biomass and bioenergy systems to remove atmospheric CO₂, spanning academic, corporate, and governmental sectors. He co-directs the Berkeley Wood Lab, advancing sustainable timber construction and forest products, and leads the Carbon Removal Lab, commercializing biomass carbon removal technologies (BiCRS). He also serves as Principal Scientist at Carbon Direct, Inc.

Education:

• Ph.D. & M.S., Energy and Resources Group, UC Berkeley (2015, 2013)
• B.S.E., Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania (2010)

Research Interests:

• Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies
• Bioenergy systems and BECCS/BiCRS
• California forest management and biomass utilization
• Climate policy and energy systems modeling

His work bridges science and policy, with notable contributions to carbon-negative energy pathways and forest-based CDR strategies. Recent publications emphasize scaling BiCRS technologies, carbon finance mechanisms for forest resilience, and integrating biomass systems into decarbonization strategies.

Awards:

• Secretary of Energy Achievement Award (U.S. Department of Energy, 2021)

Dr. Sanchez collaborates with industry (Graphyte, Arbor Energy) and policymakers, having previously served as a AAAS Congressional Fellow in Senator Michael Bennet’s office. His labs and initiatives drive practical solutions for climate mitigation through innovative wood products and carbon removal markets.