Andrew Saarni

Andrew Saarni has a long and varied work experience. In 2008, they began as an Intern at GNF, and continued to work as an Intern at GNF in 2009 and 2010. In 2013, they began working at Genomatica as a Fermentation Associate I, where they generated fermentation data through the operation of lab- and pilot-scale fermentors, developed various laboratory standard operating procedures, and designed and implemented new methodologies for improving laboratory precision and efficiency. In 2017, they became a Business Development Intern at Genomatica, where they conducted market analysis to determine optimal first markets and customers for bio-based 1,3-butylene glycol, interfaced with industry partners to align on key milestones, quantify deliverables, and build relationships, and coordinated with engineering personnel to begin the process of developing a life cycle assessment (LCA) for bio-based 1,3-butylene glycol. In 2016, they worked as an Associate Engineer at Triton Algae Innovations Ltd., where they authored a comprehensive technology transfer package for commercial-scale manufacturing of algal cell mass, dramatically improved precision of lab-scale fermentation platform to enable more ambitious experimentation and accelerated R&D, and developed, validated, and implemented a robust cryopreservation protocol for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In 2018, they returned to Genomatica as a Senior Fermentation Engineer, Engineer II, Fermentation, and Engineer I, Fermentation. Finally, in 2022, they began working at Geltor as the Associate Director, Fermentation.

Andrew Saarni earned their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Bioengineering from UC Berkeley College of Engineering, followed by their Master of Science (M.S.) in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Davis. Andrew also attended Francis Parker School.