The Pennycress Team
The Pennycress Company team integrates plant biotechnology, agronomy, and biofuel commercialization expertise to develop high-yielding pennycress varieties and connect farmers to scalable, low-carbon markets.
Founder & CEO
jthomas@thepennycresscompany.com​
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The Pennycress Company is founded by Dr. Jason B. Thomas, a Nebraska-born plant scientist and entrepreneur passionate about building climate-resilient agriculture. After earning his PhD in Plant Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota and completing postdoctoral research at Stanford’s Carnegie Institution for Science, he founded The Pennycress Company to unlock the potential of pennycress as a sustainable aviation fuel crop.
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Business Lead​
rramirez@thepennycresscompany.com
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Ricardo Ramirez has with over a decade of experience across sustainability, agriculture, education, and economic development. He holds a BA from Harvard University and an MS in Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences from UTRGV. He leads the farmer, industry, and research partnerships that support commercialization of pennycress as a winter oilseed cover crop.
Plant Biotechnology Development Intern​
​mburwell@thepennycresscompany.com
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Meghan Burwell is a student intern from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Meghan is a Junior Horticulture Major with an accounting minor Conducts day-to-day greenhouse and laboratory operations and manages HR and accounting systems for The Pennycress Company.
Plant Biotechnologist​
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We’re seeking a hands-on PhD scientist to join as our first technical hire. You’ll help us push the frontiers of pennycress bioengineering and build the scientific foundation of the company. The ideal candidate combines experimental rigor with startup scrappiness, and is eager to wear multiple hats in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment.
All are invited to help pennycress fight climate change.
If you would like to join the team
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US
