Jim Zahn is the director of Fermentation at Coskata, Inc. He received his B.A. in Biology/Chemistry in 1992 at Central College, Pella, IA, his Ph.D. in Microbial Physiology/Toxicology in 1996 at Iowa State University, his first Post- Doctorate in Microbial Ecology at USDA-ARS, National Soil Tilth Laboratory, Ames, IA in 1998, and his other Post-Doctorate in Bacterial Secondary Metabolism and Drug Discovery at Natural Products Drug Discovery, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN in 2000. Some of his past professional experiences are Research Microbiologist, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA Fermentation Development Leader, Spinosad Manufacturing / Michigan Operations, The Dow Chemical Co., Indianapolis, IN.

Alan DiSpirito is an associate professor in the Biochemistry and Biophysics department at Iowa State University. His research emphasis is on Air quality and environmental issues, Antimicrobial Resistance, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Food Safety (Post-Harvest), Microbiology, and Rapid Detection Methods. His research interests are current research efforts in my laboratory are focused on the basic metabolism, environmental importance and commercial uses of methanotrophic (organisms that obtain all their metabolic carbon and energy from the oxidation of methane) and chemolithotropic bacteria (organisms that obtain all their energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds. He is also affiliated with the Institute for Food Safety and Security (IFSS)                                                    

Paul Bloom is the Director of Chemical Technology Strategy. Dr. Bloom is responsible for the corporate strategy development for ADM’s renewable “green” chemicals technology, including the advancement of ADM’s commercial line of green chemicals.  Paul joined ADM in 2001 as a research chemist and previously served as manager, new industrial chemical research. Since joining ADM, his primary focus has been the synthesis and development of chemicals and fuels derived from carbohydrates, proteins and vegetable oils.

Paul Bloom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Illinois State University and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Iowa State University. He received the Research Excellence Award from Iowa State University in 2001 for outstanding research accomplishments during his graduate studies. Paul Bloom is author or co-author of multiple patents and ten peer-reviewed publications.