Jay KeaslingJay Keasling, a professor in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and the Department of Bioengineering, has won the 2014 Eni Award prize in Renewable Energy for his achievements in the microbial production of hydrocarbon fuels.

Keasling is recognized as a world leader in the burgeoning field of synthetic biology and its applications to the production of clean, green, advanced biofuels. He joined the UC Berkeley faculty in 1992. His laboratory research focuses on the metabolic engineering of microorganisms for degradation of environmental contaminants or for environmentally friendly synthesis. He is also affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute’s Fuel Synthesis division.

The prize bestows a gold medal specially struck by the Italian State Mint and a sum of €200,000 (Euros).

Sponsored by Eni, a global multibillion dollar energy company headquartered in Rome, the Awards were created to “develop better use of renewable energy, promote environmental research and encourage new generations of researchers.”