Philip Pienkos

Board Member

Dr. Philip T. Pienkos earned a Bachelor of Science in Honors Biology at the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at the University of Wisconsin. He is currently Emeritus Scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where he served as Principal Group Manager to work in various aspects of cellulosic ethanol and algal biofuels production, and he has helped to established new areas for the biofuels R&D program including biological methane upgrading and waste to energy. Before joining NREL, he was a co-founder of two companies: Molecular Logix, an early-stage drug discover/development company, and Celgene, a major biotech/pharma company. He retired from NREL in March 2020 to start Polaris Renewables which has been rebranded as Matereal Inc. He now serves as Chief Technology Officer, leading the R&D team in commercializing technology he co-invented at NREL for the production of sustainable polymers. Philip is a founding member of the Algae Biomass Organization and the Algae Foundation and has served as a member of the board of directors for both of those organizations. He currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA where he enjoys his role as Chief Grandpa Officer with his only granddaughter.