More about John Todd & Claire Janish

More about John Todd:

In 1969 he co-founded the New Alchemy Institute to do both fundamental research into aspects of biology and disciplines, as well as to apply biological science to technology. Todd and his colleagues have designed miniature ecosystems, largely self-perpetuating, which bring ecological principles into service of human requirements.

Besides designing and prototyping food-producing systems and approaches for communities of people, this work has resulted in innovative new approaches to processing sewage and industrial wastewater. Todd's approach has involved applications of microorganisms, fish, and plants (phytoremediation).

Dr Todd is currently writing a book entitled ‘A Designer’s Guide to Thinking Ecologically’. He is also very active in a number of projects, including the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons from the Blackstone River Corridor in Grafton, MA, creating a dynamic model and analysis of the eco-machine at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, working with JTED to develop an eco-machine for creating ultra clean sea water for the culture and the holding of marine organisms in Gloucester

John Todd Recognition:

In 2010, his Eco-Machine housed at the Center for Sustainable Living at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY was recognized as a significant design breakthrough by the Smithsonian Institution. The drawings and film of the project were displayed in the Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Design in NYC.
In 2008 John Todd was the first winner of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge for the best idea to help save humanity. The entry was “Design for a Carbon Neutral World: The Challenge of Appalachia”.
In 2006 he received the Global Visionary Award, the City of Chicago.
In 2002 Dr. Todd was named one of the 20th Century’s top thirty-five inventors by the Lemelson-MIT Program for Invention and Innovation, in their book entitled “Inventing Modern America: from the Microwave to the Mouse”(MIT Press).
In 1999 named “Hero of the Planet” by Time Magazine.
In 1998 he was given, with his wife Nancy, a Bioneers Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 1998 he, with his wife Nancy, received the Charles and Ann Morrow Award for technological innovation on behalf of the planet.

More about Claire Janisch:

Claire works in the areas of strategy, technology & education and is the leading presenter, trainer and consultant for biomimicry in South Africa. She is also a co-creator of the Genius Lab, an experiential learning organization inspiring innovation and future thinking for organizations and individuals.

She finds innovative ‘whole systems solutions’ to human challenges by emulating organisms and ecosystems that fit together on this beautiful planet in well-adapted, life-enhancing ways. She spends her time exploring nature’s technological miracles in diverse ecosystems, and then shares this new way of viewing and valuing nature through expeditions and workshops – teaching & training professionals, students and scholars.

She also dives deeper into research for companies and organizations - translating nature’s innovation and sustainability principles for the design of new products, processes & systems. She is a graduate of and a co-trainer for the international 2-year biomimicry Professionals Program (BPCP). She currently heads up biomimicrySA.