Lab Partnering Service Discovery

Michael Connolly is a Principal Scientific Engineering Associate at the Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and an organic chemist with 20+ years of expertise in combinatorial and automated synthesis methods and nanomaterial discovery. His research focus is the development of combinatorial discovery technologies and new biopolymer nanomaterials. He has developed a class of bio-inspired polymer called ‘peptoids’ that have found utility in drug discovery, drug delivery, diagnostics, and materials science. Key contributions included the development of new synthetic methods, new sequencing, and characterization methods for peptoids.

Additional information available at this link.

COVID-19-related research: "Scientists Aim Gene-Targeting Breakthrough against COVID-19" (cellular delivery system/anti-viral agent)

Dr. Viktor P. Balema is a Senior Scientist at Ames Laboratory. He joint the laboratory in 2016 to lead new materials development and commercialization at Ames’ led DOE consortium (CaloriCool) founded by US Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office. His technical expertise comprises development of biologically active compounds, hard and hybrid materials, polymers and chemical recycling. 

Before joining Ames Laboratory, Viktor served in various leading roles, including Hard Materials Head and Global R&D Manager, at Sigma-Aldrich Corporation - a major materials supplier to research and commercial markets. Once at Ames Laboratory, Dr. Balema served on the laboratory’s Research Management Team and Technical Advisory Committee of REMADE Institute and contributed to the development of the Strategic Plan for Ames Laboratory.

Scientific expertise of Dr. Balema spans over chemistry of bio-active agents, synthetic materials chemistry as well as upcycling of spent products, including rare earths and polymers. Viktor published over 70 papers, reviews and proceedings in open literature and filed ~15 US and international patents and IP disclosures. He also developed and commercialized numerous proprietary materials that have been offered through diverse business channels.

Dr. Brunecky is a research scientist with a background in pharmacology, drug discovery, diagnostics, and sensor development.

At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Dr. Brunecky's interests include the novel mechanisms by which newly discovered multimodular cellulase enzymes such as CelA interact with and degrade crystalline cellulose as well as whole biomass with an aim to design and optimize enhanced cellulase systems for overcoming biomass recalcitrance as well as the possible uses of glycoside hydrolase enzymes expressed in-planta to reduce plant cell wall recalcitrance.

For more information about Dr. Brunecky's research interests at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, please find a summary here.