Dr. Michael Markowitz joined the Materials Sciences and Engineering Division of DOE's Office of Basic Energy Sciences as the Program Manager for Biomolecular Materials on October 14, 2008.  Prior to joining DOE, he worked as a Research Chemist in the Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering at the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC during 1992-2008. Mike earned his B. A. degree in Chemistry in 1981 from the University of Pennsylvania and Ph. D. degree in Chemistry in 1987 from the University of Chicago. He was a Post-doctoral fellow at Lehigh University during 1987-1990, and at the Naval Research Laboratory during 1990-1992. He has conducted research in broad scientific areas such as organic chemistry, sol gel chemistry, molecular recognition, surfactant self-assembly, chemistry in confined spaces, chemistry at organic-inorganic interfaces, controlled release, enzyme multilayers for decontamination, nanoporous materials for sensor preconcentration and as templates for conducting polymer synthesis, and materials science. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in journals and conference proceedings, review articles, book-chapters and holds several patents.