Lee Rybeck Lynd

Lee Rybeck Lynd is the Paul E. and Joan H. Queneau Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Adjunct Professor of Biology at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering. He has been a member of the Dartmouth faculty since 1987 and serves as Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Terragia Corporation, Consolidated Bioprocessing Team Leader for the DOE Center for Bioenergy Innovation, and Director of the Advanced Second Generation Biofuel Laboratory.

Professor Lynd's research spans microbial cellulose utilization, metabolic engineering, innovative biomass processing technologies, and sustainable bioenergy futures. His work focuses on cost-effective production of cellulosic biofuels that benefit people and the environment, with particular emphasis on consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) which offers potential for transformative cost reductions in biofuel production. His research integrates molecular biology, microbiology, and chemical/biochemical engineering to advance both fundamental understanding and applied capability in bioenergy.

His publication record includes over 300 papers with more than 42,000 citations and an h-index of 88. Recent research trends show increasing focus on sustainability metrics, carbon-negative biofuels, and the integration of bioenergy systems with food production and environmental protection. His work increasingly addresses the socio-economic dimensions of bioenergy deployment alongside technical innovations.

• Charles Thom Award, Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (2021)
• Thayer Distinguished Research Award for Faculty (2020)
• Lemelson-MIT Sustainability Award (2007)
• AAAS Fellow (2012)
• Charles D. Scott Award for Distinguished Contributions (2005)

Professor Lynd has advised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, currently mentoring several PhD candidates including Nick Cervenka, Madeline Hoey, Shu Huang, Matthew Kubis, and Bishal Sharma. His research has been supported by multiple funding sources including the Department of Energy, USDA NIFA, Sao Paulo Research Foundation (Brazil), and The Link Foundation. He has testified before the US Senate three times and has been featured in Wired, Forbes, and Nova.

He leads the Lynd Research Lab which includes postdoctoral associates, graduate students, technicians, and undergraduate researchers. The lab collaborates closely with the DOE Center for Bioenergy Innovation and maintains an international network of collaborators. Current research focuses on consolidated bioprocessing, metabolic engineering of cellulolytic microbes, and sustainable bioenergy futures that integrate environmental, economic, and social considerations.