Next* Magazine, Issue 4 - Chevron

BiofuelsRefining the OptionsAdvanced biofuels research is breakingbotanical barriersMichelle Long stopped in the middle of a central Texas jatropha field, leaned down,plucked a few pods off a plant and looked closely at them in her hand. “The fruit istoo green. The seeds have not reached maturation for oil content,” she said.These days, Long, manager of feedstock supply for Chevron Technology Ventures’ (CTV’s)biofuels unit, is as comfortable examining jatropha seeds as she used to be exploring ways toefficiently manufacture products from long-chain hydrocarbons. But that wasn’t always the case.A quick glance at Long’s background, education and professional career shows her tobe an unlikely expert in germination, fermentation and a host of other terms straight frombotany textbooks. A chemist by education and training, she has spent 15 of her 23 years inthe industry in refining and lubricants operations.Long’s fast ascent up the biofuels learning curve mirrors Chevron’s experience in feedstockresearch to date.PHOTOS: PAUL S. HOWELLScaling up conversion technology from the laboratory tothe marketplace is a primary challenge for the future ofadvanced biofuels.Next* | 39