Chris Somerville

Chris Somerville is a distinguished academic currently serving as Professor in the Department of Plant & Microbial Biology at University of California, Berkeley, where he also holds the Philomathia Chair in Alternative Energy since 2009 and serves as Director of the Energy Biosciences Institute since 2007. He additionally holds an Adjunct Professor position at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia since 2014.

His educational background includes multiple honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions worldwide:

• D.Sc. from Michigan State University (2012)
• D.Sc. from Guelph University (2006)
• D.Sc. from Wageningen University (1998)
• D.Sc. from University of Alberta (1997)
• D.Sc. from Queens University (1993)

Dr. Somerville's research focuses on plant biochemistry and genetics, particularly in the areas of plant cell-wall synthesis and modification, which has significant implications for biofuels and biotechnology applications. His work bridges fundamental plant science with practical applications in alternative energy.

He has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career:

• EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Award (2010)
• American Chemical Society Sterling B. Hendricks Memorial Lectureship Award (2010)
• Balzan Prize (2006)
• Genetics Society Mendel Medal (2004)
• Elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (1996)
• Elected Fellow of the Royal Society London (1991)

Dr. Somerville has held leadership positions at major research institutions, including Director of the Carnegie Institution for Science Department of Plant Biology (1994-2007) and Professor at Stanford University (1994-2008). He has been actively involved in mentoring students and postdoctoral scholars through his research labs at multiple locations including Koshland Hall, the Energy Biosciences Institute, and the Joint BioEnergy Institute.

His laboratory has been at the forefront of plant science research, contributing significantly to our understanding of plant cell walls and their applications in sustainable energy solutions.