Team

Started at MIT

A breakthrough born in the lab.

Leslie Bromberg, an MIT inventor with 90+ patents and multiple successful startup exits, saw methane not as waste but as an untapped resource. Sparked by the methane released from decaying yard waste as he cleared his backyard, he pioneered a radical idea: repurpose mass-produced engines to convert methane into green methanol cost-effectively.

Unlike traditional chemical plants dependent on scale, Bromberg's modular systems leveraged mass production to slash costs and enable deployment at distributed sites like landfills and farms. Early calculations and a competitive ARPA-E grant validated the concept and secured foundational patents, making Emvolon the original innovator of this approach.

To real-world impact

From the bench to the field.

When Emmanuel Kasseris, a seasoned energy executive with 20+ years of experience, reconnected with his MIT colleague, he immediately saw the solution to a problem he faced at Chevron: wasted gas at small, remote wells where large-scale systems never made economic sense. "Leslie's idea flipped the script," Kasseris recalls. "Mass production made it practical and affordable."

In 2017, they co-founded Emvolon to bring the technology from MIT labs to real-world impact, combining Bromberg's technical vision with Kasseris' experience scaling new energy technologies from concept to full-scale deployment.

Our core values.

P.I.S.T.O.N. — What drives us

Emvolon is the Greek word for piston — and like a piston, we're driven by purpose, precision, and power. These six values define how we work and why it matters.

Pragmatic
Sustainability

We deliver practical, commercial solutions that advance sustainability, reducing emissions and decarbonizing industries.

We welcome complex challenges, using deep technical expertise to solve problems others can't.

Innovative
Engineering

We uphold superior standards of excellence balancing quality, speed, and commercial scalability.

Scalable
Quality

We learn from each other as an international ecosystem of industry executives, accomplished academics, and driven young talent.

Teamwork &
Collaboration

We grow as individuals by taking personal responsibility for our work, confidently owning ideas from conception to execution.

Ownership &
Accountability

We act swiftly and resourcefully to turn ideas into realities, driving global impact with efficiency.

Nimble &
Efficient

The team

150+ years of experience inform everything we do.

Our team combines industry expertise with academic excellence — from technical concept to full-scale commercialization, with experience spanning institutions and operations across the world.

Explore Open Roles

Name Name

Role Text

Yu Chen leads R&D at Emvolon, focusing on the development of engine partial oxidation systems and overseeing the company's intellectual property strategy. His work centers on repurposing internal combustion engines as chemical reactors and advancing innovations from concept to commercialization. Before joining Emvolon, he was a Research Scientist at MIT, where he worked on powertrain efficiency and engine reactor technology. He brings over a decade of experience in engine and energy R&D, having collaborated with GM, Ford, BorgWarner, Hyundai, and Yanmar. Yu holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Auckland and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT.

Name Name

Role Text

Qualification

Emmanuel Kasseris

Co-founder & CEO

Emmanuel brings over two decades of experience in leading advanced technology projects and raising capital in the energy industry. He has pioneered the development of multiple new technologies, guiding them from concept to full-scale pilot implementation during his time at Chevron and ConocoPhillips. As CEO of Emvolon, Emmanuel leads the company’s strategy, fundraising, and execution, advancing innovative technologies from concept to market. He holds both an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.

Emmanuel Kasseris

Co-founder & CEO

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Leslie Bromberg

Co-Founder & CSO

Leslie is a recognized leader in energy conversion and chemical processes, with decades of pioneering work in technology development and commercialization. He has licensed six patent portfolios covering more than 90 patents, many of which underpin new approaches to clean fuels and advanced energy systems. As CSO of Emvolon, Leslie guides the company’s technical vision and innovation strategy, drawing on his experience as founder of multiple startups with successful exits. He holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from MIT.

Leslie Bromberg

Co-Founder & CSO

Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering

Jacqueline Alvarez

Chief of Staff

Jacqueline is the Chief of Staff at Emvolon supporting strategy, fundraising, and execution. As a former management consultant at EY-Parthenon, she has advised Fortune 500 companies and private equity investors across industries on growth strategy, large-scale operational transformation, and mergers & acquisitions. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Rice University.

Jacqueline Alvarez

Chief of Staff

B.S. in Civil Engineering, MBA

Surya Guduru

Head of Strategy & Business Development

Surya Guduru leads Emvolon’s strategy and business development, focusing on market expansion and new product commercialization. He brings over 22 years of experience in energy equipment manufacturing and engineering, with expertise in international market development, product management, and channel partnerships. Surya holds a B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from the National University of Singapore and an MBA from Singapore Management University.

Surya Guduru

Head of Strategy & Business Development

B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering, MBA

Vassilis Triantopoulos

Director of Operations

Vassilis Triantopoulos oversees operations at Emvolon, including project execution, field pilot development, and collaborations with industry and research partners. With over 10 years of experience in advanced energy systems, he has led prototype-to-commercialization efforts with organizations such as Bosch, GM, Volvo, SwRI, and Argonne National Lab. Vassilis holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT.

Vassilis Triantopoulos

Director of Operations

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Yu Chen

Director of Research & Development

Yu Chen leads R&D at Emvolon, focusing on the development of engine partial oxidation systems and overseeing the company’s intellectual property strategy. His work centers on repurposing internal combustion engines as chemical reactors and advancing innovations from concept to commercialization. Before joining Emvolon, he was a Research Scientist at MIT, where he worked on powertrain efficiency and engine reactor technology. He brings over a decade of experience in engine and energy R&D, having collaborated with GM, Ford, BorgWarner, Hyundai, and Yanmar. Yu holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Auckland and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT.

Yu Chen

Director of Research & Development

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Ioannis Valsamakis

VP of Engineering

Ioannis Valsamakis leads engineering strategy at Emvolon, overseeing technical direction, system design, and the development of scalable, high-performance solutions. He brings over 12 years of experience in heterogeneous catalysis and process development, including work with BASF, Entegris, and Joule Unlimited. Ioannis has led multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovation roadmaps, novel equipment designs, and global technology transfers. Ioannis holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University.

Ioannis Valsamakis

VP of Engineering

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Colin Pavan

Senior Engineer

Colin Pavan co-leads R&D at Emvolon, focusing on the design, operation, and maintenance of chemical synthesis and analysis systems, as well as data acquisition infrastructure. He leads DOE-funded research on in-cylinder methanol synthesis and contributes to Emvolon’s IP development in engine reforming. Colin brings a diverse background spanning automotive, aerospace, industrial consulting, and startups, with experience in both hands-on lab work and real-world problem solving. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from MIT, and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Colin Pavan

Senior Engineer

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

German Lakov

Head of Electrical Engineering and Controls

German Lakov leads Electrical Engineering and Controls at Emvolon, overseeing the design of advanced control systems. With over 30 years of experience, he has held key engineering roles at Ingersoll Rand, Lockheed Martin, and General Compression, specializing in clean energy, turbomachinery, and energy storage.

German Lakov

Head of Electrical Engineering and Controls

M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Paul Chapman

Mechanical Engineer

Paul Chapman serves as a Junior Mechanical Engineer at Emvolon. He comes from SwRI where he helped develop a novel H2ICE Class 8 Demo truck exceeding future emission standards. He also worked in the Heavy-Duty Engine certification section where he supported EPA emissions testing and test cell operations. Paul holds a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Paul Chapman

Mechanical Engineer

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Ben Voss

Senior Project Manager

Ben Voss oversees the execution of Emvolon's commercial facilities from early engineering through to operation at customer sites. He brings extensive experience in both industrial manufacturing from his time at ExxonMobil and FOAK technology deployment from years at various hard-tech start-ups in the Greater Boston area. Ben holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University.

Ben Voss

Senior Project Manager

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

Mark Rodenstein

Senior Process Engineer

Over 40 years’ experience in the petrochemical and environmental industries, including work with Technip Energies on large-scale EPC projects. Experience spans all phases of engineering from conceptual studies through detailed design, field start-up, and troubleshooting. Has served as staff and supervising process engineer at operating facilities, overseeing the design, construction, and operation of new process units and leading process design for PDPs and BEPs. Expertise includes process studies and simulations, PFDs, P&IDs, relief system design, utilities, and process safety, including HAZOPs as both facilitator and technical lead. Holds a BS and MS in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University.

Mark Rodenstein

Senior Process Engineer

M.S. in Chemical Engineering

Sahana RamPrasad

Chemical Engineer

Sahana Ram Prasad is a Chemical Engineer at Emvolon, where she works at the interface of R&D and Process Engineering. Her background includes process modeling and analysis, hands-on laboratory testing, and material characterization. Previously, she supported PEM electrolyzer development by designing and executing test plans, analyzing performance data, and collaborating closely with R&D teams to optimize cell configurations and operating conditions. Sahana holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.S. in Engineering Management from Northeastern University.

Sahana RamPrasad

Chemical Engineer

M.S. in Engineering Management

Rahul Ramesh

Mechanical Engineer

Rahul serves as a Mechanical Design Engineer within the R&D team at Emvolon. Currently, he is focused on the development of prototypical reactor systems for the ARPA-E OFF GRID project. He brings extensive expertise in the design, commissioning, and operation of high-pressure experimental combustion facilities, spanning both academic R&D environments and industrial startups. Rahul holds a Ph.D and M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Rahul Ramesh

Mechanical Engineer

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

Alexander Guarino

Senior Engineering Technician

Alex Guarino is the Senior Engineering Technician at Emvolon. He brings over a decade of hands-on industry experience in machining, welding, and fabrication. In addition to his work at Emvolon, Alex serves as an instructor at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, where he shares his expertise with the next generation of makers. He has contributed to multiple successful ventures alongside Emvolon’s co-founders, bringing deep technical skill and practical insight to the team.