Richard Gross

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT RICHARD GROSS

Professor Richard A. Gross earned his PhD (1986) in organic/polymer chemistry from Polytechnic University (Brooklyn, New York) under the guidance of Mark Green. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) working with Robert Lenz, followed by an appointment as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and full Professor at University of Massachusetts (Lowell) from 19••••98. From 1998-to-September 2013 he occupied the Herman F. Mark Chair Professorship at Polytechnic University (New York). In September of 2013 he joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a Constellation Chair in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Our research focuses on sustainability through the implementation of green chemistry principles. Research foci include: i) develop a better understanding of how enzyme promiscuity and selectivity for non-natural chemistries can be harnessed for polyester, peptide and bacterial cellulose synthesis, ii) tailoring biosurfactant structure for therapeutic as well as commodity applications, understand how microbially produced polymers can fill gaps or play prominent roles providing unique material properties, engineering microbes to prepare ω-hydroxyfatty acid monomers and iv) develop enzymes through protein engineering and immobilization for an array of functions including the conversion of plastics after use to value added products. Since we use biocatalysis in tandem with chemical methods to conduct chemical transformations, group members are often chemists that learn about the power of biology to create new structures and materials. In addition to Chemists, our group consists of scientists skilled in protein expression, biophysics, protein synthesis and high throughput screens to identify protein variants with improved function. In addition, we have strong fermentation capabilities for whole cell biotransformations. A key element of our group is we do best by working together and collaborating. That means developing a culture of mutual respect, teaching each other, following the best ideas no matter who has them, and working with other groups that have expertise that adds other capabilities and new opportunities. Through the years we have developed strong ties to our industrial colleagues. We enjoy collaborative goal-oriented projects and have learned so much from our collaborations with industry.