Dr. Susanne Kleff earned both a master’s degree and PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Cologne–Germany. Her studies focused on characterizing recombination enzymes and genes from Bacteriophage T4 and yeast. She completed her postdoctoral fellowships at the State University in New York at Stony Brook, where she identified and cloned the first histone acetyltransferase in yeast and at Michigan State University, analyzing the expression of genes involved in carcinogenesis and apoptosis in a human fibroblastic cell line.

As an instrumental part of MSUBI’s management team she was influential in the development of unconventional organisms as well as fermentation and recovery processes for C4-dicarboxylic acids and their successful demonstration at pilot scale. Within MSUBI’s derisking operations she played a pivotal role in successful technology transfers and scale-ups with over 50 companies.

Susanne has followed her passion and enthusiasm for applied microbiology and environmental stewardship as an active member of the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, where she served as speaker, session chair and committee leader. She continues her commitment to the development of sustainable technologies in a consulting and advisory role to MSUBI’s leadership team.