M.S., Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Utah State University, B.S., Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University. Expertise in the area of Molecular biology, Metabolic engineering for strain improvement, Fermentation and Affiliated research programs is Ethanologen improvement Microalgae genetic tool development (PI), Biological transformation, Hydrocarbon production in microorganisms

Yat-Chen Chou is a senior scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. His earlier research experience included exploring cellulase gene expression systems and using site-specific mutagenesis to enhance the activity of the enzymes. He has since devoted many years to researching the metabolic engineering of Zymomonas mobilis for efficient ethanol production, resulting in several patents, as well as a recent effort on producing other biofuel products. Chou was one of the key researchers in the cooperative research and development agreement project with DuPont, working on the construction and improvement of a robust ethanologen for their process. His later research responsibilities expanded to include investigating microalgae as a feedstock for biofuel production and developing genetic tools to help achieve that goal.