Anne A. Madden, Ph.D.

Dr. Madden is an award-winning scientist, science communicator, and serial entrepreneur. She believes microbes hold the solution to many human problems.

She has named a new species, discovered novel antibiotics, and explored diverse microbial habitats across the globe–from dust and sourdough starters, to human hands, insect guts, birds, marine sediments, plants, and the smelliest of polyester clothing. She has built microbial discovery pipelines across industry and academia that have led to applications for commercial bakers, brewers, farmers, and clinicians. As a leading thought leader on the topic of microbial applications, she transcends conventional discipline boundaries to bring the science of microbes to new audiences through innovative design, novel products, and communication projects.

Dr. Madden founded the nonprofit research institute, The Microbe Institute, an organization dedicated to fostering microbial discovery for a better tomorrow through participatory scientific research, art, and education initiatives. She is Chief Scientific Officer and Cofounder of the biotechnology company, Lachancea. And she provides communications and research consulting to life science organizations at Imnovate Consulting, in addition to advising a number of life science organizations, nonprofits, and corporations. She is a 5x TED/TEDx speaker and currently holds an Adjunct Assistant Professorship in the Department of Applied Ecology at North Carolina State University.