Joe Tarantino is the Fermentation Biologist for Ecovative Design, a biomaterials company using fungi as a natural resin to grow materials that are high performance, VOC free, and biodegradable. With a focus on the biocompatibility of new process development, Joe integrates the delicate needs of living organisms with the demands of scaled manufacturing systems.

Joe is a native of the Northeast, where he gained a deep appreciation for natural cycles. He holds a degree from UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology, and he spent a number of years making wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Today, he focuses on bringing Ecovative’s technology to California in order to grow regionally required materials from local, agricultural waste.