Diane Kim

Diane Kim serves as Senior Scientist and DEI Manager at the USC Wrigley Institute while maintaining her academic affiliation through the Environmental Studies Program in USC's Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Her career bridges academic research and practical aquaculture applications.

• Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (USC, 2013)
• B.S. in Biological Sciences with Business minor (USC, 2005)

Her research revolutionizes marine biomass energy through innovative kelp cultivation techniques. The 'kelp elevator' system she developed cycles kelp between nutrient-rich deep waters and sunlit surface zones, enabling year-round growth in open ocean environments. This approach eliminates competition with terrestrial agriculture for land and freshwater resources while producing biomass for sustainable biofuels.

Her 2021 research demonstrated fourfold growth increases compared to natural kelp beds, with significant implications for renewable transportation fuels. The work addresses critical gaps in decarbonizing aviation and shipping where battery electrification remains impractical.

• U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E MARINER program funding
• Collaboration with Marine BioEnergy Inc.
• Field research based at USC Wrigley Marine Science Center

Kim directs interdisciplinary teams of biologists, engineers, and oceanographers in open-ocean experiments near Catalina Island. As DEI Manager, she integrates inclusive practices across research initiatives while co-leading Holdfast Aquaculture LLC's commercial shellfish operations. Her work bridges academic discovery with real-world implementation of sustainable marine systems.