Two for One

Common marine algae naturally produce chemicals that might be of use to humans. In 2002, Greg O’Neil (right) worked as a summer research student with WHOI chemist Chris Reddy (left) to explore one such chemical that algae appear to use to fight off threats. Now an associate professor at Western Washington University, O’Neil recently returned to WHOI on sabbatical to collaborate with Reddy on the possibility of using marine algae produce fuels, and the two published a study in January 2015 showing a way to produce both biodiesel and jet fuel from a single species of algae.(Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)