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John McGeehan joined the NREL team January 2024 as part of the Circular Economy for Energy Materials initiative with a focus on biochemical engineering. He leads collaborative projects on the design and application of enzyme-based technologies for sustainable chemicals, materials, and fuels. Projects include upcycling of natural and synthetic polymers, including plastics. His joint research as part of the BOTTLE consortium on the enzymatic recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has expanded towards recycling and redesign solutions for a range of polluting plastics. John has a passion for collaborative research and works across a wide network of U.S. and international researchers.

Protein design

Enzyme engineering

Plastics recycling

Lignin valorization

Hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) utilization

Sustainable materials

Visiting Professor, University of Portsmouth (2023–present)

Independent Consultant, Plastics Recycling and Upcycling (2022–2024)

Secretary General, World Plastics Association (2022–2023)

Director, Centre for Enzyme Innovation, University of Portsmouth (2018–2022)

Director, Institute of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth (2017–2019)

Co-Director, Institute of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth (2016–2017)

Professor of Structural Biology, University of Portsmouth (2016–2023)

Head of Molecular Biophysics Group, University of Portsmouth (2015–2019)  
Reader in Structural Biology, University of Portsmouth (2012–2016)

RCUK Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth (2007–2012)

Research Fellow, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (2005–2007)

Research Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth (2000–2005)

Postdoctoral Scientist, York Structural Biology Laboratory, University of York (2000)

Team Leader, DNA Synthesis, Life Technologies Ltd. (1999)

Research Associate, Medical Research Council Virology Unit (1996–1998)