Katy Kao

Professor Katy Kao leads the Chemical and Materials Engineering Department at San José State University (2021–present), previously serving as Associate Professor there (2019–2021). She held roles at Texas A&M University, including Adjunct Graduate Faculty (2019–2021), Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs (2018–2019), and Associate/Assistant Professor (2014–2019). Her research focuses on microbial evolution, metabolic engineering, and biomanufacturing, with contributions to biofilm control, strain development via adaptive laboratory evolution, and sustainable biorefinery processes. Recognized for teaching excellence, she has received awards such as the NSF CAREER Award (2011) and the 2024 Society of Women Engineers Distinguished Engineering Educator Award.

Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering (UC Irvine), Ph.D. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (UCLA), and postdoctoral training at Stanford University’s Department of Genetics.

Research Interests: Her work bridges microbiology and engineering, emphasizing directed evolution of microbes for enhanced biocatalyst performance, biofilm mechanisms, and integration of machine learning in bioprocess modeling. Notable projects include improving carotenoid production in yeast, optimizing lignocellulosic biomass conversion, and developing anti-biofilm materials.

Awards highlight both research and teaching excellence, including multiple university-level teaching accolades and national grants.