Tom Wilding-Steele
CEO, Celluol
Tom Wilding-Steele joins the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program from Celluol in Toulouse, France. Tom is a scientist with over 10 years of experience studying and engineering bacteria to produce fuels and chemicals. As CEO he will drive the strategy and direction of Celluol as well as playing a key role in continuing to develop the technology.
Celluol’s technology focuses on the conversion of underutilized waste biomass such as agricultural and forest residues into fuels and chemicals. Celluol has engineered a bacterium which is able to directly convert these residues into ethanol, significantly simplifying and reducing costs compared to current technologies. Throughout the program Tom and Philippe will focus on continuing to i) engineer their bacteria and ii) develop the overall bioprocess.
Tom is an avid climber and mountaineer, seeing the effects of climate change on mountains helps drive him to find climate solutions. Tom obtained a Bachelor of Biochemistry from Lancaster University, followed by a PhD in Biosciences at the University of Nottingham. He then moved to France where he worked with Philippe to develop the technology.
Q&A
Who has had the greatest impact on your career path?
My dad, getting me interested in Biochemistry.
What is the most impactful book that you have read?
The Culture books by Iain M. Banks – who doesn’t want to live in a kind of utopian, post-scarcity society?
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