Bryan Willson

Executive Director & Professor, Energy Institute at Colorado State University

Ambassador

Dr. Bryan Willson is Executive Director of the Energy Institute at Colorado State University, and he holds the Bryan Willson Presidential Chair of Energy Innovation. He also serves as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Willson served as a Program Director at ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy) from 2012-2016 and continues to serve as a consultant/advisor to the agency. 

As an entrepreneur, Dr. Willson is co-founder of Envirofit International, a global company that has developed solutions for clean mobility (direct injection retrofits for 2-stroke cycle engines) and is now manufacturing and distributing clean cookstoves in the developing world; Solix BioSystems, a developer of large-scale production systems for algae-based fuels and specialty chemicals; Factor(e) Ventures, a venture development firm supporting early stage ventures working on access to energy in the developing world; and Mesh/Xpower. 

His research laboratory, the Engines & Energy Conversion Laboratory, has made important contributions in many areas, including internal combustion engines, oil & gas production technology, advanced electrical grids, advanced biofuels, technology for the developing world, and advanced building technologies. Dr. Willson has worked in over 40 countries.