Jay D. Keasling, a Senior Faculty Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has been named the 2025 OTC/NAI Innovator of the Year.
Office of Technology Commercialization
June 24, 2025
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Atlanta, Ga. – On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), in partnership with the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), awarded Jay D. Keasling, a Senior Faculty Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), the second annual “OTC/NAI Innovator of the Year” Award during the 14th Annual Meeting of the National Academy of Inventors.
Dr. Keasling is one of the world’s foremost authorities in synthetic biology and has led pioneering research in engineering microbes to produce sustainable fuels, specialty chemicals, and recyclable materials. He serves as the CEO of the DOE-funded Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) and is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
“Dr. Keasling’s work in advanced biomanufacturing is helping America take the lead in building a stronger, more secure future,” said Anthony Pugliese, DOE Chief Commercialization Officer and Director of the Office of Technology Commercialization. “By turning science into real-world solutions—like better fuels and materials made right here at home—he’s strengthening our supply chains, supporting U.S. companies, and helping make America more energy resilient. His impact reaches far beyond the lab—supporting U.S. companies and inspiring the next generation of innovators.”
With more than 40 patents and patent applications stemming from DOE-funded research, Keasling has advanced a novel platform using polyketide synthases (PKSs) to engineer complex molecules that were previously impossible—or uneconomical—to produce. These molecules have wide-ranging applications, from energy-dense aviation fuels and biodegradable plastics to pigments and agricultural chemicals.
His work has catalyzed the launch of 12 startup companies, including Amyris, Lygos, Demetrix, and Zero Acre Farms. Together, these ventures have raised more than $2.3 billion in follow-on investment, created over 1,500 jobs in the U.S., and developed technologies now used in products made by thousands of global brands.
Beyond his own inventions, Dr. Keasling has championed the broader commercialization mission of the National Labs. He has helped foster a culture of entrepreneurship at JBEI and Berkeley Lab by supporting researcher training, hosting fireside chats with successful entrepreneurs, and mentoring aspiring startup founders across the lab community.
“Dr. Keasling has spent his career not just advancing science, but building the ecosystem that turns ideas into impact,” added Pugliese. “He’s helped launch companies, mentored emerging researchers, and strengthened the connection between National Labs and industry. That kind of leadership is essential to keeping American innovation ahead of the curve.”
The OTC/NAI Innovator of the Year Award was created to recognize DOE scientists who not only produce groundbreaking intellectual property, but also achieve meaningful commercialization outcomes. The award highlights the critical role DOE laboratories, plants, and sites play in transitioning innovations from the bench to the marketplace, aligning with OTC’s mission to amplify the commercial impact of DOE’s R&D investments.
This award is presented annually to one individual selected from across the DOE complex, including all 17 national laboratories and other DOE-managed sites.
About the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Technology Commercialization
The Department of Energy (DOE) is one of the largest champions of technology transfer and commercialization in the federal government. Congress established the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) in 2015 to advance this critical mission. By unlocking the tremendous potential within the Department and its 21 National Labs, plants and sites, and catalyzing private sector investment in novel technologies, OTC is driving innovation - and with it, American energy dominance and national security. Visit us at energy.gov/otc to learn more, and subscribe to receive our latest opportunities and accomplishments via email. Follow us on X and LinkedIn.