​​​Theanne Schiros is a Professor of Materials Science at the Fashion Institute of Technology, a Research Scientist at Columbia University, and a National Geographic Society Explorer. Her research focuses on the development of advanced materials for a circular economy, including biofabrication of regenerative performance textiles. Her research has translated to co-founding start-ups led by former students: Algiknit (KEEL Labs) and Werewool, as well as microbial nanocellulose biotextiles noted by Fast Company as one of the most important material design innovations of the year (2021). She has received international recognition for her work, including the National Geographic Wayfinder Award (2023), Conservation x Labs Microfiber Innovation Prize (2022) and the H&M Foundation Global Change Award (2020), as well as several museum exhibitions. Dr. Schiros has been engaged in international sustainable development and education since 2005, including solar photovoltaics work with Engineers without Borders (Haiti), design of zero-waste communities with Finca Morpho Permaculture (Costa Rica), women empowerment through education and entrepreneurship in natural dyes and textile arts with There is No Limit Foundation (West Africa), and as a United Nations ECOWAS Fellow for Sustainable Energy Engineering at Columbia University.