Rhod Jenkins is an interdisciplinary research scientist, process development engineer, technical leader, and sustainability scholar specializing in sustainable bioprocess engineering. As director of downstream process development & commercialization at Debut Biotechnology, he leads cross-functional efforts to translate bench-scale bioproduct innovations into commercial manufacturing processes that integrate technical, economic, and environmental considerations. His previous roles at Demetrix, Amyris, and Los Alamos National Laboratory spanned bioproduct development for a range of industrial applications—including food, fuel, fragrance, and cosmetics—each focused on replacing petroleum-derived and land-intensive production technologies with sustainable alternatives.

Rhod earned an MSci in chemistry from the University of Bristol, as well as an MRes in sustainable chemical technologies and a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Bath, where his doctoral research focused on renewable liquid transport fuels from microbes and waste resources. He also completed an MBA in enterprise, innovation and circular economy from the University of Bradford. Rhod’s academic interests bridge biotechnology innovation, process commercialization, and circular-economy strategy. He has authored over ten peer-reviewed publications in renewable energy and sustainable bioproducts and continues to advance circular approaches to industrial biotechnology.