Istvan Molnar is a notable and experienced microbiologist, with a focus on genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and biocatalytic processes. His expertise in modern microbiology, microbial genetics, and biochemistry has led to many significant advancements within the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical industries.

He received his MSc in Molecular Biotechnology from ELTE University in Budapest, Hungary, and went on to complete his PhD in Genetics of steroid catabolism in bacteria at Hiroshima University. He has held several positions, including Principal Scientist and Group Leader at Syngenta, Staff Scientist at Novartis Agribusiness, and Research Scientist at Institute for Drug Research (GYOKI).

Currently, Molnar is a Professor and Associate Director at the University of Arizona, Natural Products Center, where he is actively involved in research and teaching. He has also previously held positions as an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona and a Postdoc at both the University of Cambridge and Hiroshima University.

Molnar is skilled in the application of molecular evolution, pathway engineering, renewable biofuel production, and more. His work in combinatorial biosynthesis, mutasynthesis, and metabolic engineering has paved the way for new advancements in the biotechnology field.