
Dan Sanchez, PhD
Chief Scientist for Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) + Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS)
Our scientists will guide your organization to achieve its climate goals with the right carbon management program.
Dan Sanchez, PhD
Chief Scientist for Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) + Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS)
Erica Belmont, PhD
Science Advisor
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) + Biochar
John Dees, PhD
Senior Decarbonization Scientist
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) + Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS)
Wilfried Maas, PhD
Chief Carbon Technology Strategist
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) + Environmental Science & Policy
Dr. Sanchez is an early developer and leading expert on engineered biomass and bioenergy systems that remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Trained as an engineer and energy systems analyst, Sanchez’s work engages technology developers, policymakers, and corporations to advance sustainable biomass carbon removal and storage.
Dr. Sanchez is on entrepreneurial leave from the University of California-Berkeley, where he is an Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. Prior to joining the faculty of UC Berkeley, Daniel was a AAAS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow serving in the Office of Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO).
Education
BSE, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
University of Pennsylvania
MS, Energy and Resources Group
UC Berkeley
PhD, Energy and Resources Group
UC Berkeley
Awards
Secretary of Energy Achievement Award
United States Department of Energy (2021)
Science Advisor
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) + Biochar
Dr. Belmont is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wyoming. Her research interests include combustion and pyrolysis with an emphasis on tailoring biomass conversion for energy and materials, as well as fire with an emphasis on pollutant formation.
Dr. Belmont received her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas-Austin; and her master’s degree in mechanical engineering and her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, both from Tufts University.
Education
PhD, Mechanical Engineering
University of Texas, Austin
MS, Chemical Engineering
Tufts University
BS, Chemical Engineering
Tufts University
Awards
Career Award
NSF
John performs technical analysis and project diligence to assist clients in identifying high-quality carbon removal and sustainable fuel projects. He is also a key contributor to carbon storage durability and waste feedstock working groups.
John initially trained as a geographer, where he developed a technical background in geospatial analysis and remote sensing. His interests later shifted to energy and climate. His master's thesis investigated interest group politics in state-level renewable energy policy.
John's PhD work focused on the intersection of industrial ecology and climate economics. In his dissertation, he employed life cycle and techno-economic assessment methods to assess the potential for bio-based products and fuels to remove carbon from the atmosphere. As an extension of that work, he employs integrated assessment models to assess the value of temporary carbon storage. John brings an interdisciplinary background to bear across client engagements, from technical project reviews to policy expertise.
During his PhD, John collaborated with the Energy Systems team at Lawrence Livermore National Lab to quantify the technical and economic potential for low-carbon ethanol, sustainable aviation fuel, and carbon removal in the broader bioeconomy.
Education
PhD Energy and Resources Group
UC Berkeley
MS, Energy and Resources Group
UC Berkeley
BS, Environmental Spatial Analysis
University of North Georgia
Awards
Graduate Fellow (2015 - 2020)
NSF
Udall Scholar (2014)
Udall Foundation
Dr. Wilfried Maas leads Carbon Direct's engagements with the EU Carbon Dioxide Removal initiatives and certifications. He also leads the workgroup on carbon markets.
Dr. Maas brings expertise to inform investment decisions and provide strategic advisory services to clients. He brings experience from his 32-year energy career at Shell and from his Joint Industry Collaborations on CCS and Climate (IEAGHG, OGCI, ZEP, IOGP, TCM). He has developed decarbonization pathways for “Net Zero Carbon” production and products for different industrial supply chains based on CCS, electrification, and (blue or green) hydrogen and biomass.
Prior to that, Dr. Maas coordinated the technical development of the global portfolio of commercial scale CCS demonstration projects and the organizational CCS capability. He also contributed to external collaborations for the new business development of CCS as one of the decarbonization solutions for a climate-constrained future. In other roles, he led consultancy teams that developed corporate-wide GHG and energy management governance at capital projects; and he was a front-end development manager for CCS projects.
Dr. Maas is the Director of the CCS Knowledge Centre. He holds a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of Amsterdam. He is a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and an IChemE Fellow (FIChemE).
Education
PhD, Physical Organic Chemistry
University of Amsterdam
MSc, Public Administration (Environment)
University of Amsterdam