Agricultural biotechnology expert Xun Wang becomes VP of R&D for San Diego-based algal biofuel company Sapphire Energy
Rachel Carter
SAN DIEGO
,
January 12, 2011
(press release)
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Biotech Leader Dr. Xun Wang Joins as Vice President of Research and Development
As one of the world’s leading innovators in the algal fuel industry, Sapphire Energy today announced it has expanded its executive roster with the addition of Dr. Xun Wang. In the newly created position of Vice President of Research and Development, Dr. Wang will be responsible for all research and development activities and personnel at Sapphire. He will focus on the lab-to-commercial mechanics and lead Sapphire’s technology development through the next stage of commercialization.
“Sapphire Energy is on a fast growth trajectory, moving from start-up to leading green energy producer,” says Jason Pyle, CEO, Sapphire Energy. “In Dr. Xun Wang, we’ve added world class biotech talent to our already exceptional team -- a critical step to ensure we successfully take our algae-based Green Crude from innovation to commercialization.”
Dr. Wang has had a distinguished career in agricultural biotechnology. He led the first plant genomic project, and managed a number of Research & Development functions in Syngenta where a few innovations were developed and brought to market. For the last 13 years he has been with Syngenta in various managerial positions. Most recently, he served as President of Syngenta Biotechnology (China) Co. Ltd. (SBC), the first foreign-owned agriculture biotechnology R&D center in China. He also served as the Asia Pacific Regional Head of Biotech Research & Development, as a member of the Syngenta Research & Development Leadership Council, and on the Syngenta Biotechnology Leadership Team. Other positions included Head of Research & Development for Syngenta China, Section Head of Trait Research and Technologies for Syngenta Biotechnology Inc. in North Carolina, and Director at Torrey Mesa Research Institute. Prior to Syngenta he served as Research Manager for Iowa-based Pioneer Hi-Bred International.
Dr. Wang is author or co-author of more than 50 patents. In 2009, he was named as one of the “10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs in Chinese Agriculture” by the China Rural Economy Press. Dr. Wang received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Iowa State University and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Jilin University, China.
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