DIRECTOR / Marc von Keitz, Ph.D.

Marc is an engineer with academic and industrial experience in the production of bacterial polysaccharides, design of bioremediation processes, biomass fractionation technologies, and bioconversion of organic waste streams into high-value products. Currently, he primarily manages the business and customer relations aspects of the BRC. Marc conducted his undergraduate studies in chemical engineering and biology at the University of Karlsruhe, Germany, and received his M.S. from Stanford University and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, both in environmental engineering.
Telephone: (612) 624-6758
E-mail: vonkeitz@umn.edu

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE / Fred Schendel, Ph.D.

Fred is a fermentation biochemist with 10+ years of industrial experience. Fred is familiar the production of biomass as well as metabolites and proteins from wild-type and recombinant organisms, ranging from bacteria to fungi and yeast. Currently, he is primarily involved in the production of recombinant proteins using the yeast Pichia pastoris. He also leads BRC's large-scale protein purification efforts. Fred received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Telephone: (612) 624-5347
E-mail: schen013@umn.edu

JUNIOR SCIENTIST / Mary Pruss

Mary is a junior fermentation scientist who joined the BRC in July 2006. Her tasks include fermentation media preparation, set up and sampling of the fermentation equipment, and general lab maintenance. She is a senior at the University of Minnesota's College of Biological Science majoring in microbiology.
E-mail: prus0029@umn.edu

JUNIOR SCIENTIST / Elisabeth Melander

LAB ATTENDANTS

Maria Rodiova

E-mail: rodio004@umn.edu

Megan Skaar

E-mail: skaa0023@umn.edu

Susan Schendal

E-mail:

Amy Schendal

E-mail: schen079@umn.edu