Algenol names science chief

FORT MYERS — Algenol Biofuels has named Paul Roessler as its chief scientific officer.

Algenol, which is working to produce ethanol from algae on a commercial scale, is building a pilot facility in Fort Myers for demonstrations of the company's commercial viability.

Prior to joining Algenol, Roessler was vice president of renewable fuels and chemicals at Synthetic Genomics, where he led efforts to develop fuels from algae.

Roessler's 30-year career also includes work for companies such as Dow Chemical and Monsanto. He earned a doctorate degree in biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.