Jonathan Trent

Founding Director at UpCycle Systems with extensive experience in biomolecular engineering and astrobiology

Jonathan Trent is a prominent scientist and the Founding Director of UpCycle Systems (UCS), a company focused on converting wastewater into renewable resources. He has a rich background in biomolecular engineering and astrobiology, having spent over two decades at NASA Ames Research Center. During his tenure, he led the OMEGA (Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae) project, which aimed to utilize domestic wastewater and CO2 to grow algae for biofuels and other products while also purifying wastewater.1 2 4

Trent holds a Ph.D. and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he researched molecular recognition and self-assembly of proteins from extremophiles. His work has implications for various fields, including biofuels, nanotechnology, and medicine.1 3 7 He has also been involved in several international projects and has given multiple TED talks on sustainability and environmental issues.5 6

In addition to his scientific contributions, Trent is known for his innovative approach to sustainability, emphasizing a circular economy model that addresses food, water, and energy security.2 4

Highlights

Jan 24 · fairlightadvisors.com

Saving the Earth with Jonathan Trent, UpCycle Systems

Mar 5 · nasa.gov

Interview with Jonathan Trent - NASA

Experience

Founding Director at UpCycle Systems

Adjunct Professor Biomolecular Engineering at UC Santa Cruz (2002 - 2019), Lead Scientist of OMEGA Project and Astrobiologist at NASA Ames Research Center (1998 - 2019), Sr. Scientist at NASA Ames Research Center (1998 - 2019), Director at OMEGA Global Initiative (2015 - 2019), Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory (1992 - 1997)

Education

Postdoctoral, Molecular Biology of Extremophiles at Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry (1985 - 1987); Ph.D., Biological Oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (1980 - 1985); B.A., Biology at University of California, Santa Cruz (1971 - 1975); Postdoc, Microbial Physiology at Yale University School of Medicine (1991 - 1992); Postdoctoral, Microbiology at University of Copenhagen (1987 - 1990)