John R. Coleman, VP of research and graduate studies at UTSC, will be trading his red pen for a consulting job come Nov. 3. The veteran botany prof will begin work as Algenol Biofuels’ chief science officer.
“After being an administrator for 10 years, its time to go back to being a real scientist,” said Coleman, who will remain on staff at U of T’s downtown campus, teaching grad students in the department of cell and systems biology.
“His office has been a reliable resource to researchers and students in completing grant and research applications, and he has introduced a number of programs to assist faculty in expanding their research activities,” said Franco Vaccarino, principal of UTSC.
At UTSC, Coleman conducted research in molecular biology, genetics and plant biology, specializing in cells and systems biology. His expertise in algae will come in handy at Algenol when he supervises research to create ethanol from algae. The company’s method, said Coleman, creates ethanol that does not divert food sources and is safe for the environment. He will try to make the process more efficient.
A successor won’t be chosen for several months, according to Mary Anne Gutton, communications director at UTSC. Plans to fill the role will be announced at a later date.
