Ecolyse derives its name from its mission to provide ecologically sound microbiological control for human health. We are committed to the reduction or elimination of toxic biocides and excess antibiotic use and to the principles of green chemistry We seek to implement more efficient use of contemporary chemical biocides and to develop policies, procedures and new naturally derived products for current users and suppliers.
We are committed to establishing biocide testings based upon knowledge of the actual problem organisms in the system, and under the actual conditions experienced at the facility. We seek to advise and direct, efficient application of contemporary chemical biocides, increasing efficacy while maintaining cost control. We will seek out naturally occurring predators of industrial infestations, especially “bacteriophage” and similar organisms that cause bacteria, algae and fungi to lyse. We will find natural organisms and only concentrate them to focus on specific problems. We will not alter nor attempt in any way to change natures “Checks and balances”. We will proliferate these in closed loops and apply them directly in the industrial infrastructure.
We hope to eventually increase microbial control within industry systems while decreasing industry dependence on biocides that are expensive and disruptive poisons dangerous to all forms of life, in storage, usage and disposal. In contrast Phage are focused and EPA determined to be GRAS (generally regarded as safe).
Ecolyse was originally founded as Phage Biocontrol by Drs. Neil and Elizabeth Summer in December 2007 with the purpose of using bacteriophage to remediate pipeline corrosion and reservoir souring. We have since expanded our scope to address a variety of bacterial, fungal and algae problems in industrial settings. Ecolyse now provides a variety of services that complement their development of biocontrol products such as bacterial consulting, monitoring, testing and training.
Located in College Station, Texas, Ecolyse has a close partnership with Texas A&M University’s Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, along with the Department of Petroleum Engineering.
The Team
- James Y. Lancaster, CEO/Chairman – With an extensive background advising entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, James has co-founded three technology companies and an angel fund, and serves as a board member or advisor to other start-up businesses. His experience includes bootstrapped, angel investor and venture capital-backed businesses, as well as Fortune 500 clients such as Alcatel, Allied Signal, Ericsson, Bridgestone/Firestone, Haliburton, Herman Miller, Honeywell, Sonoco and Trinity. He currently serves on the board of Ecolyse and the non-profit BrightMinds Foundation. James holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
- Neil Summer, PhD, President, Founder – Neil has over 40 years of experience in the oil & gas industry. He has had a varied career in Industry and Academia. His experience ranges from a diving startup company and construction diving in the North Sea, to Project Management specializing in geohazards in onshore, shallow, and deepwater locations. Neil holds a PhD in Geology with emphasis on stable isotope geochemistry.
- Elizabeth Summer, PhD, Vice President, Research – Liz leads the R&D team with over 16 years experience with phage technology, with the past 10 years spent on developing industrial solutions. Liz has a broad molecular biology background, with published results in diverse fields including protein biochemistry, membrane biology, genomics, ecology, phage biology, plant biochemistry, virology, bacteriology, and phage therapeutics applications. Previously she was a full time researcher at Texas A&M University in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the Center for Phage Technology. Liz holds a PhD in Molecular Virology from the University of South Carolina.
- Keith McLeroy, Senior Industry Consultant – Provide analytical, microbiological and technical consulting services for oil/gas, municipal and industrial water/wastewater processes. Specialties: water, wastewater and oil/gas produced water chemistries and bacteria testing. Treatment processes, recycling and corrosion related investigations. Extensive range of experience (26+ years) in analyzing and developing laboratory methods for oil & gas and other industrial waste produced waters as well as fresh water resources. Environmental, microbiology applications and analytical testing surveys. Analytical Advisor/Researcher at the Global Petroleum Research Institute at Texas A&M’s Petroleum Engineering Department, Certified Water Professional and Texas Licensed Water/Wastewater Operator.
- Geddy Hamblen, Director of Microbiology – Geddy has a Masters in Biotechnology from Texas A&M University, specializing in GMP fermentation processes. At Ecolyse, Geddy oversees all microbiological operations from basic research, oilfield field services, MicrobeID, products, to industrial fermentation.
Ecolyse, Inc. is graduate of the Research Valley Innovation Center in College Station, TX.