Prof. Ken Stedman

Ken Stedman, Ph.D. has been a professor of Biology at Portland State University since 2001. He is the leader of the eXtreme Virus Lab, and co-founder of the Center for Life in Extreme Environments. He is co-founder and CSO of StoneStable, Inc. an early-stage startup company investigating silica coating for stabilization of vaccines. He has been studying Archaea and their viruses since working as a postdoc with Wolfram Zillig from 1997-2000.  The eXtreme Virus Lab's archaeal virus research focuses on structure, function and genetics of SSV1 and interactions with its host Saccharlolobus solfataricus. We also collect samples from volcanic hot springs throughout the world to isolate more archaeal viruses and their hosts as well as discover new viruses. The XVL is also dedicated to science outreach and communication.