Tracy Frost and Dr. Kate Sixt, DoD Research and Engineering OUSD

Building the Base

In this episode of Building the Base, Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts sit down with Tracy Frost, Director of Technology Industrial Innovation Base, and Dr. Kate Sixt, Principal Director for Biotechnology at the Department of Defense. The conversation explores the revolutionary intersection of biotechnology and national security, diving into how the DoD is leveraging bio-manufacturing to strengthen domestic supply chains and innovate defense capabilities. From converting waste products into valuable materials to creating new pathways for manufacturing critical components, the discussion reveals how public-private partnerships are reshaping America's industrial base.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. BioTechnology in defense has evolved beyond traditional military medicine to include manufacturing materials, chemicals, and specialized fuels using biological processes

2. The DoD is actively building public-private partnerships to bridge the gap between research and manufacturing, particularly through initiatives like BioMADE.

3. Bio-manufacturing offers environmental advantages over traditional chemical manufacturing, primarily through water-based rather than petroleum-based processes

4. Supply chain security is being strengthened through domestic bio-manufacturing capabilities, especially for industrial chemicals at lower tiers of the supply chain.

5. The field offers diverse career opportunities across education levels, from technical certificates to PhDs, with particular demand in supply chain modeling and precision engineering