Transitioning to a circular sustainable bioeconomy is one of the most important challenges of our time. Many foresee this model as key for prosperous rural development and healthy living environments.

Fuels from plant biomass (biofuels) are central to climate stabilization, and enable other components of the ; But biofuel deployment at a scale sufficient to offer meaningful climate benefits requires substantial resources. This has created concerns around competition with other priorities, and of unintended consequences.

Lee Lynd is the Paul and Joan Queneau Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Adjunct Professor of Biology at Dartmouth College; Consolidated Bioprocessing Team Lead at the US Department of Energy Center for Bioenergy Innovation; Executive Committee Chairman of the Global Sustainable Bioenergy Initiative; and Co-Founder and Director of two biofuel start-ups (Enchi and Mascoma Corporations). A fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, he is the recipient of the Lemelson-MIT Sustainability Prize for inventions and innovations that enhance economic opportunity and community well-being while protecting and restoring the natural environment; the Charles D. Scott Award for distinguished contributions to the field of biotechnology for fuels and chemicals; and is the two-time recipient of a Charles A. Lindbergh grant in recognition of efforts to promote a balance between environmental preservation and technological advancement.