John Perona

Professor of Environmental Biochemistry & Law, Portland State University

John Perona is an accomplished research scientist, climate policy specialist, and advocate for a healthy environment. He received scientific training in protein X-ray crystallography at Yale and in quantitative enzymology at the University of California, San Francisco. Subsequently, Dr. Perona served as Professor on the Chemistry faculties at the University of California, Santa Barbara (1994-2011) and Portland State University (2011-2024). He is author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications in environmental biochemistry and related fields, and has served on editorial boards and scientific review panels at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Dr. Perona’s laboratory investigated problems of environmental significance related to the global carbon cycle. His team’s work applying bioinformatics, molecular genetics and biochemistry approaches led to the discovery of novel genes for sulfur uptake by methanogens, with application to understanding the key metabolic pathways for methane production by these organisms. His lab was also specialized in synthetic biology, including methods for engineering the genomes of microorganisms and approaches to expanding the genetic code. Synthetic biology of plants and microorganisms is the basis of numerous novel approaches for atmospheric carbon removal and sequestration.

Dr. Perona is the author of From Knowledge to Power: The Comprehensive Handbook for Climate Science and Advocacy (K2P; Ooligan Press, Nov. 2021), which has been endorsed by climate and renewable energy leaders in Oregon and nationwide. The exceptionally broad scope of K2P includes climate science, law and advocacy, as well as approaches to renewable energy technology and policy. In 2023, Dr. Perona launched the Substack newsletter Earthward, which offers deep dives into contemporary topics in climate and renewable energy technology and policy

Dr. Perona has earned two law degrees, including the Master of Laws with specialization in environmental pollution, natural resources and energy development. He has served for nearly ten years in volunteer leadership roles for healthy climate advocacy with several organizations, offering his expertise in aid of carbon pricing legislation at the federal level, and for renewable energy legislation in Oregon.

Dr. Perona is particularly active in writing articles/blogs, offering educational presentations to diverse audiences, and advocating for legislation, in these areas: carbon cycle, methanogenesis, biofuels (especially renewable diesel), renewable hydrogen, carbon capture and sequestration, and carbon pricing.

Dr. Perona offers highly engaging, detailed and accessible presentations, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in university classrooms and public education venues. He has served as an expert consultant to several biotechnology firms in California, and holds a patent describing a method for generating small DNA molecules with unusual characteristics.