Algae: The Secret Plastic Killer | Stephen Mayfield | TEDxEncinitas Blvd

Algae is presented as an overlooked material that could replace conventional plastics. The talk, given by Dr. Stephen Mayfield at TEDxEncinitasBlvd, draws on his research into sustainable plastic alternatives and the uses of natural plastic polymers. Mayfield is a former UC San Diego biology professor and the founder of Algenesis Labs. The video is a TEDx talk, an independently organized event in the TED format, and is credited to TEDx Talks.

• Algae as a possible replacement for plastics
• Natural plastic polymers and sustainable plastic alternatives
• Research background of speaker Stephen Mayfield

NOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf This talk from Dr. Stephen Mayfield at TEDxEncinitasBlvd explores how algae is an overlooked yet powerful replacement for plastics. The talk utilizes Dr. Mayfield's research and expertise on sustainable plastic alternatives (SPA's) to show the uses of natural plastic polymers. TEDxEncinitasBlvd was made possible by Executive Producer, Lead Organizer, and Editor Rohan Phadnis, WayZero, and BAAIRS. Stephen Mayfield, PhD, CEO and founder of Algenesis Labs, was a Distinguished Professor of Biology at UC San Diego and director of the California Center for Algae Biotechnology. His research focused on the molecular genetics of green algae and using algae as a platform for producing high-value recombinant proteins and bio-products. Steve earned BS degrees in Biochemistry and Plant Biology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a PhD in Molecular Genetics from UC Berkeley. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Geneva, he became an assistant professor at the Scripps Research Institute, where he spent 22 years, eventually serving as Dean of Biology. In 2009, he joined UC San Diego. Beyond academia, Steve founded multiple biotech companies, including Rincon Pharmaceutical (2005), Sapphire Energy (2007), Triton Health and Nutrition (2012), and Algenesis Corporation (2016). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx