About Us
The global transition to advanced energy systems represents a massive economic and technological opportunity. Modern infrastructure faces unprecedented challenges in efficiency, resilience, and resource optimization that demand breakthrough solutions. Researchers at UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are developing transformative technologies in renewable energy generation, advanced materials engineering, and resilient infrastructure design. From novel battery chemistries and lightweight composites to smart materials that respond to environmental conditions, these innovations require new approaches for scalable manufacturing. A major challenge is bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and market-ready solutions through advanced manufacturing processes that can produce these next-generation materials at commercial scale.
Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials will serve as a nexus for excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship in breakthrough technologies and resilient solutions. This initiative will lower the barriers to translating impactful discoveries into companies that can create scalable technologies. The program will establish a new vertical within Bakar Labs, focusing on innovations across next-generation energy systems, advanced materials engineering, and modern manufacturing methods—including additive manufacturing, precision synthesis, and automated production systems.
Building on the proven success of the life-science focused Bakar Bio Labs and QB3, a multicampus UC institute focused on scientific innovation and entrepreneurship, this program will create pathways for energy, materials, and manufacturing innovations to reach commercial markets.
Meet Our Team
Our mission is to support you in creating groundbreaking solutions for our planet. We are dedicated to fostering innovation that emphasizes sustainability, working alongside visionary thinkers to build a thriving future for everyone.
David Schaffer, Director, Bakar Labs & QB3
David Schaffer is the Hubbard Howe Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Bioengineering, and Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, and he also serves as Director of QB3 and Bakar Labs. He completed his B.S. in chemical engineering at Stanford University in 1993, his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at MIT in 1998, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in 1999 before joining Berkeley in 1999. There, he applies engineering principles to optimize gene and stem cell therapies, work that includes developing the concept of applying directed evolution to engineer targeted and efficient viral gene therapy vectors as well as new technologies to investigate and control stem cell function. He has published >250 papers, has advised >90 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, is an inventor on >50 issued patents, and developed technologies that are being used in 9 human clinical trials. In addition, he has co-founded eight companies, including 4D Molecular Therapeutics (NASDAQ FDMT), Ignite Immunotherapies (acquired by Pfizer) and Rewrite (acquired by Intellia). Finally, he has received recognitions including the National Academy of Inventors, Andreas Acrivos Professional Progress Award, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Award, the American Chemical Society Marvin Johnson Award, and the Biomedical Engineering Society Rita Shaffer Young Investigator Award.
Alexis Bell, Associate Director, Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials
Alexis T. Bell serves as Associate Director of Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials and is the Dow Professor of Sustainable Chemistry in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry. At Berkeley, Bell became an internationally recognized leader in heterogeneous catalysis and chemical-reaction engineering who helped pioneer the development and application of spectroscopic methods to elucidate catalytic processes, as well as the application of experimental methods in combination with theoretical methods.
Kaspar Mossman, Managing Director, QB3; Communications, Bakar Labs
Kaspar Mossman, managing director at QB3, plays a central role in QB3 strategy and manages its early-stage entrepreneurship support including the mentorship program, SBIR workshop, IP landscape program, and legal support. Together with QB3's grants coordinator, he leads QB3's collaborative research program. He also heads marketing & communications at QB3 and Bakar Labs. Previously, he worked on the media staff at Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and held an AAAS mass media fellowship at Scientific American. He earned a PhD in biophysics from UC Berkeley.
Katarina Klett, Innovation Discovery Program Manager, QB3
Katarina has spent over a decade working in bioengineering labs across the world in both academia and industry. Through these experiences, she built a strong understanding of engineering and biology. Most recently, Katarina completed her doctorate from Stanford University, where she worked at the crossroads of stem cell biology and engineering. During her doctoral work, Katarina joined a biotech venture team. While there, Katarina operated as a core team member, where she advised early-stage founders in the portfolio, landscaped market trends, and performed due diligence on potential investment opportunities. Katarina is deeply passionate about translating ongoing research to viable technologies that can make a major impact on patient lives and the planet.
Adrian Miu, BCH Design and Building Advisor
Adrian Miu, MPA normally leads Business Operations at Bakar Bio Labs. He manages building systems, facilities operations, tenant lifecycle, and budgeting/accounting. As a strong climate advocate, he is very excited to advise on the design of the Bakar Climate Labs and to assist with the technologies that will be created when the building opens.
Before Bakar Bio Labs, Adrian managed operations at startups and UCSF for over a decade. He has a BA from UC Irvine and a Master’s in Public Administration from San Francisco State.
Jeremy Alberga, Chief Operating Officer, Bakar Labs & QB3
Jeremy Alberga is Chief Operating Officer of Bakar Labs & QB3.
Previously, Jeremy was Director, Program Development and Strategy at the University of California San Francisco’s (UCSF) Institute for Global Health Sciences, where he focused on institutional strategy, fundraising, operations, and administration. Jeremy also served as Acting Director of the Center for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. He has 25 years of experience collaborating with the public, private and academic sectors, including over a decade working for Johns Hopkins University, the University of Washington, and UCSF. Jeremy has run not-for-profit organizations dedicated to scientific discovery in two dozen countries, including setting up research and public health programs in Cameroon and Botswana, and has been directly involved in the funding and execution of over $250 million in health, financing, and policy projects.
Jeremy has a Master’s degree in International Development from the George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from McGill University.
Jeremy currently serves on the boards of the Bay Area Global Health Alliance and Congregation Beth El and is a keen runner, road cyclist and traveler.
Jeremy has a Master’s degree in International Development from the George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from McGill University.
Jeremy currently serves on the boards of the Bay Area Global Health Alliance and Congregation Beth El and is a keen runner, road cyclist and traveler.
Shilpi Kumar, Director of Partnerships, Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials
Shilpi, Director of Partnerships, Bakar Labs for Energy & Materialss, supports our relationships with startups, corporate affiliates, capital providers, and the other climate initiatives on campus. She brings extensive experience in climate tech investment and commercialization. As a partner at VC Firm Third Sphere, she focused on supporting and scaling early-stage climate technology companies into market solutions including board positions with companies focused on wireless charging, circular economy, waste biomass, electric heat, and carbon capture systems. She has also worked in product, sales, and marketing as an early startup employee, and supports Bakar companies with expertise in customer development and product strategy. Shilpi is passionate about the role of art, climate storytelling, and community in building collective resilience. She holds a degree in neuroscience and economics from Duke University.
Susan Jenkins, Managing Director, Bakar Labs Campus Programs
Susan Jenkins is the Managing Director of Bakar Labs Campus Programs, including the BCAPP program. With extensive experience in academic research, management of interdisciplinary research institutes, and involvement with entrepreneurship programs, she’s involved with strategic planning and administration for Bakar Labs.
Gino Segrè, Design and Building Advisor
Gino Segrè is managing director of Bakar Bio Labs at BBH, overseeing all administrative operations of the incubator and selection and integration of startup companies. As a former incubator director with QB3 and more than 15 years experience working at established life science companies, he provides strategic and funding advice to startup companies.
Erica Yab, Program and Events, QB3, CEO Circle Program Director
Erica Yab is a Program and Events Specialist at QB3. She plans and ensures the execution of events and assists with administrative work. Erica graduated with honors from San Jose State University, where she majored in Communications and minored in Economics. Previously, Erica worked at Sarika Music School as an Event Planner in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. There, she helped to execute the soft opening event and various promotional events.
Recent Stories
June 16, 2025
April 28, 2025
April 11, 2025
Interns
The QWEST Internship Program provides UC Berkeley students with real-world experience.
Natalie Tussy, QWEST Intern
Natalie is a first year Full-Time MBA student at Haas School of Business. She is involved in several organizations at Haas, including the Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative (BERC), and is on the planning committee for the national MBA climate conference, ClimateCAP, which will take place at UC Berkeley in February 2025. Prior to business school, Natalie worked in corporate finance at Starbucks for five years and managed the partnership between Starbucks and the Climate Reality Project, a non-profit founded by Al Gore.
Sally Karstens, QWEST Intern
Sally Karstens is a fifth year Ph.D. candidate in Physical Chemistry at UC Berkeley advised by Prof. Jeffrey Long and Prof. Andrew Minor. She uses transmission electron microscopy to image metal–organic frameworks for gas capture and storage, establishing connections between material performance and structure. She has research experience with a range of materials including Li-ion batteries, polymer membranes, magnets, and radionuclides.
Caitlin Kennedy
Caitlin Kennedy, QWEST Intern
Caitlin is a full-time MBA candidate at Berkeley Haas School of Business, pursuing opportunities and innovation at the intersection of business, human rights, and climate.
She was previously at the United Nations Global Compact, where she managed programs to help companies around the world integrate the SDGs into their business operations, and an Agricultural Business Advisor with Peace Corps Ghana supporting sustainable agriculture, business development, and women's and youth empowerment. She is a graduate of American University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Economics, with specializations in Development and the African continent.