Anne A. Madden, Ph.D.

Dr. Anne A. Madden is an award-winning scientist, science communicator, and “Microbe Wrangler.” She believes microbes around us hold the solutions to many human problems.

She has named a new species, discovered novel antibiotics, and explored diverse microbial habitats across the globe–from dust and sourdough starters, to human hands, insect guts, birds, marine sediments, plants, and the smelliest of polyester clothing. She has built microbial discovery pipelines across industry and academia that have led to applications for commercial bakers, brewers, farmers, and even zookeepers and clinicians. This includes discovering and commercially launching the first-in-class lactic acid yeast for brewing (now an industry standard.) As a thought leader in microbial applications, she transcends conventional disciplinary boundaries to bring the science of microbes to new audiences through innovative design, novel products, and engaging communication projects.

Dr. Madden has published over twenty peer-reviewed research articles and led projects funded by prestigious organizations such as the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the National Geographic Society, and the National Science Foundation. She received her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and pursued a PhD in biology at Tufts University as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Her doctoral research on the microbes of paper wasps led to the discovery of a novel fungal species, a new understanding of the role of wasps in grape disease, and patented technology that changed how brewers could produce sour beer. Dr. Madden subsequently conducted postdoctoral research as an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Microbiology of the Built Environment fellow at the University of Colorado, Boulder. There, she developed eDNA methods that generated the first atlas of arthropods of US homes. These methods were later used to uncover mysteries of primate diets and to help NASA on its OSIRIS-REx mission to the asteroid Bennu. She continued her postdoctoral research at North Carolina State University where she conducted research on diverse microbial communities, specialized in industry-academic partnerships, and translated ecological frameworks to improve the fermented food industry.

Dr. Madden founded and now leads the nonprofit research institute, The Microbe Institute, “the NASA for the microbial cosmos,” an organization dedicated to fostering microbial discovery for a better tomorrow through participatory scientific research, art, and education initiatives. They envision a world in which everyone can explore microbes around them, discover microbial technology for a healthier planet, and find inspiration in the microbial cosmos.

Dr. Madden is also Chief Scientific Officer and Cofounder of the biotechnology company, Lachancea, consults for life science organizations at Imnovate Consulting, and advises a number of companies and nonprofits. In addition to being a 5x TED/TEDx speaker, she is a former innovation consultant at both MIT and Harvard University, and a former Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Ecology at North Carolina State University.

When not traveling on microbial discovery trips or for speaking engagements, Dr. Madden can be found motorcycling or ocean swimming, where she resides in the Greater Portland area of Maine.

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