Biorenewables Development Centre welcomes Dr Mark Corbett as the new Director
We are pleased to announce that Dr Mark Corbett has been appointed as the new Director of the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC). With over twenty years’ experience working in academia and industry, Mark has a wealth of experience delivering strategic research and innovation projects and partnerships.
Mark is currently the Head of Partnerships and Business Development for the National Horizons Centre at Teesside University and will start his role as the BDC Director in late November.
Mark’s previous roles include working at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, the Biocatalyst Discovery, Development and Scale-Up network (part of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Networks) for Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy, and the University of Manchester. Mark has a diverse technical background with experience in both microbial and mammalian systems. He began his career in analytical chemistry and holds a PhD in molecular cell biology and later focused on applied biocatalysis for industrial manufacturing.
On his appointment Dr Mark Corbett said:
I am delighted to join the BDC as its new Director. It is a unique centre of world-class expertise and capabilities within the UK innovation ecosystem, with an incredible history of programmes driving development of bio-based products and processes. The work of the BDC has never been more important as we seek to accelerate the defossilisation of our industries to limit the impacts of the climate crisis. I’m proud and excited to join the BDC team, supporting clients across the economy to develop the technologies that put sustainability at the heart of our future prosperity and wellbeing.
Professor Matthias Ruth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of York added:
It’s fantastic to welcome Mark as the new Director of the BDC. His extensive expertise and knowledge will benefit the Centre’s staff, clients, partners and networks. Mark will lead the BDC’s involvement in the BioYorkshire initiative and help deliver a bold green agenda that leverages world-class expertise at the University to create new business opportunities and jobs, boost the regional economy, and develop sustainable solutions for some of the UK’s most pressing environmental challenges.
About the Biorenewables Development Centre
The Biorenewables Development Centre (a subsidiary of the University of York) is an open-access Research, Development and Demonstration organisation working at the interface between academia and industry to develop, scale-up and help commercialise bio-based products and processes. It provides clients with innovative ideas to convert plants, microbes and biowastes into profitable, high-value, greener products. The Centre offers a broad variety of technical services using state-of-the-art integrated R&D facilities in the fields of chemistry and biology. Businesses are supported by delivering desk-based assessments (e.g. market research, facilitating connections across the bioeconomy sector, and helping companies to find value across their supply chain). The BDC also has expertise in bioeconomy cluster building activities offering support to build partnerships or collaborations in the bioeconomy.
About BioYorkshire
BioYorkshire is a ten-year programme that will accelerate the translation and application of research discoveries into full scale biotechnology applications. It will use the region’s world class science base to deliver the profitable bio-based production of chemicals, materials, and fuels. The project will also support net-zero food production, farming and wider land use practices.
The ambitious programme - an innovative public-private partnership - includes the University of York, Fera Science, Askham Bryan College and a range of private sector partners. Together, it will transform the UK’s bioeconomy through an ‘end to end’ programme going from world class research through to translation facilities to study the application of this research, then a network of specialised business incubators, training and skills, and entrepreneurial support to create and grow companies to commercially produce the industrial and consumer products.
Let's work together
We have worked on 1,500 bio-based projects to date
We have several ways to work with us, including business advisory programmes and self-funded commercial options. We even have the option for you to hire our state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and office space.
