Dr. Felipe Sarmiento serves as the Business Innovation Director of Swissaustral USA, a biotechnology startup company isolating novel enzymes from organisms adapted to life in extreme climates for industrial applications. Swissaustral was founded by UGA graduate Jenny Blamey in Chile, but in 2013, the company joined the UGA Innovation Gateway Incubator to develop its North American market position. Dr. Sarmiento was tapped to oversee the Swissaustral office in Athens, as well as the company’s operations throughout North America. He received his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Georgia and has extensive experience with extremophilic and anaerobic microorganisms.