Thomas W. Jeffries is a PhD microbiologist who specializes in metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia stipitis and Lipomyces yeasts for the bioconversion of lignocellulosics to higher value products. He has expertise in microbial biochemistry, fermentation, yeast genetics, yeast genetic engineering, and biotechnology for the pulp and paper industry
Jeffries is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the founder of Xylome Corporation in Madison, Wisconsin.