Erickson

• BS (Mechanical Engineering), Ohio State University
• MBA, Pepperdine University
• Ph.D. (Biochemistry), University of Colorado – Boulder

As a Senior Research Associate at JILA, my work is focused on developing high throughput, analytical instruments to evaluate cyanobacteria and algae for their biofuel/biochemical production potential. These evaluations are performed at the single cell level and are capable of measuring physical properties such as cell size (based on forward scattered light), chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiencies (real-time quantum yield measurements) and lipid production (using lipid-specific fluorescence stains). Previous research concentrated on custom-built, microfluidic cytometers that were used to assess the effect of culture conditions upon lipid production in diatoms (Phaeodactylum tricornutum). Previous collaborations with major research labs investigated synergistic properties of mixed algal/cyanobacterial populations. Current research focuses on selection/sorting schemes to assist research in library screens, signal transduction pathway discovery and strain improvement. Work on these projects is rewarding because of the challenging mix of engineering, physical, biological and biochemical sciences.