Delaware Life Science Professionals

Keynote Speaker:

Bryan Tracy Ph.D.
CEO and Lead Scientist
Elcriton Inc.

“The Inconvenient Truth Part 2 – Half a billion years to produce, but the blink of an eye to consume. I am talking about fossil fuels, and the fact that we have nearly exhausted all cheap reserves on our planet. Fortunately, solutions to supplant fossil fuel dependence are on the horizon, particularly the biorefinery, which can have a very profound impact on the state of Delaware.

At Elcriton, we are inventing biochemical technologies that fit into biorefineries, and convert agricultural wastes into alternatives for petrochemicals. By working in close alliance with the University of Delaware and with the tremendous support of Delaware state and federal officials, we are aiming to commercialize sustainable technologies right here in Delaware."

- Bryan Tracy Ph.D.

Life Science Professionals - June 9, 2011:

This month’s Life Science Professionals event welcomed Bryan Tracy Ph.D., CEO and Lead Scientist of Elcriton to speak at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute.  The evening began with networking during the cocktail hour.  After which everyone gathered around as Lauren Seiple, R&D Manager, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, kicked off the event by first introducing herself and then encouraging the first time attendees to introduce themselves.  This month’s Life Science Professionals event drew in over a dozen first time attendees.

Bryan Tracy received his undergraduate education from North Carolina State University and his Ph.D. from Northwestern University under the advisement of Terry E. Papoutsakis.  Bryan relocated to Delaware to follow in the footsteps of his advisor in 2007.  Now with almost ten years of experience under his belt, multiple patent applications, and authorship on several scientific documents, Bryan remains dedicated to Elcriton.  He has been instrumental in raising over $1.3 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant seed funding through multiple federal agencies for Elcriton.

During his talk, Bryan explained that Elcriton’s mission is to create biochemical technologies that address the renewable energy needs of the United States and shape the sustainable chemical markets of tomorrow. 

“Ten generations from now, we won’t be able to afford the lifestyle we’re used to,” Bryan said in order to emphasize the rapid pace people are using fossil fuels without creating a sustainable way to replenish them. 

Bryan suggested that one way we can help solve this consumption issue is to make biofuel more amenable.  He suggested that we should advance the sustainable production and consumption of biobutanol because it has higher energy content, is less volatile, and is less hygroscopic than ethanol.

Bryan Tracy completed his discourse with an optimistic calling for Delaware to become the epicenter for making renewable biofuels.  “We need to be creative individuals,” he said as he stood in front of many young professionals, challenging them to help change our policies and create a better future.