Algae Co. is a new player on the global microalgae technology scene, bringing together game-changing algae science and bio-remediation capabilities to deliver nature-based solutions for environmental challenges and high value products to international markets.
Algae Co. was founded by leading algae, bio-tech, and environmental systems experts – Dr Michael Askew, Dr Swaminathan Detchanamurthy, and Prof Richard Bush – with the goal of creating innovative solutions for industry to their most challenging environmental legacies.
Meet the Leadership Team
Dr Michael Askew is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Algae Co. and an experienced leader and environmental systems practitioner with a passion for the delivery of transformative bio-remediation projects.
As the founder of Algae Co and Bio Innovation Australia, he is focused on delivering nature-based solutions to environme
Dr Michael Askew is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Algae Co. and an experienced leader and environmental systems practitioner with a passion for the delivery of transformative bio-remediation projects.
As the founder of Algae Co and Bio Innovation Australia, he is focused on delivering nature-based solutions to environmental challenges that create real value for industry and communities.
Michael has almost 30 years project management and team leadership experience, working in Australia and abroad across industry, corporate, government, and university sectors.
Dr D. Swaminathan is the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Founder of Algae Co and is one of the world’s leading scientists in cost-effective scaling up of value-added microalgae from lab to industrial scale. For the past 16 years, he has been at the forefront of commercial cultivation of microalgae for the production of high-value prod
Dr D. Swaminathan is the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Founder of Algae Co and is one of the world’s leading scientists in cost-effective scaling up of value-added microalgae from lab to industrial scale. For the past 16 years, he has been at the forefront of commercial cultivation of microalgae for the production of high-value products. Dr Swami is a visiting scientist at the University of Queensland Australia and the co-founder and member of the Board of Directors for Seagrass Tech Pvt Ltd, India. He also serves as the Technical Advisor for Glaukos Algae Technologies, India. Hailing from a strong bioprocess engineering background in the specific area of algal bioprocess and pollution control,
Dr. Swami is known internationally for his superior bio-technology expertise.
A/Prof Thava Palanisami is the Scientific Advisor at Algae Co. and is a globally-recognised expert in risk assessment and remediation of contaminated environments. His research and commercial activities focus on bio-remediation of environmental pollutants that are hazardous to the survival of human life. He is experienced in treating ch
A/Prof Thava Palanisami is the Scientific Advisor at Algae Co. and is a globally-recognised expert in risk assessment and remediation of contaminated environments. His research and commercial activities focus on bio-remediation of environmental pollutants that are hazardous to the survival of human life. He is experienced in treating chemically contaminated mine sites using cost-effective green technologies. He led the first-ever field implementation of a Risk Based Land Management approach to manage contaminated sites in Australia.
Professor Richard Bush is Chair of Algae Co and a prominent Australian Environmental Scientist specialising in the area of land and water management, natural resource assessment, land use planning and geoscience based technologies. He has worked with industry, government and academia, published over 200 scientific reports and in the past
Professor Richard Bush is Chair of Algae Co and a prominent Australian Environmental Scientist specialising in the area of land and water management, natural resource assessment, land use planning and geoscience based technologies. He has worked with industry, government and academia, published over 200 scientific reports and in the past 10 years has won in excess of $20 million of competitive funding to support his research.
Professor Bush is the Chief Environment Officer of Neom and is the former NSW Crown Lands Commissioner.