Our Team
Get to know our sustainability team
Our team of biologists, ecologists and engineers come from a diverse background but we all have one thing in common: a passion for sustainable aquaculture.
Sean Tadjeran
Owner
Sean studied biological and chemical engineer at the University of Colorado, Boulder. After graduating, he worked as a Research Engineer at CoorsTek, the largest technical ceramics manufacture in the world. It was there he focused on new product development, commercialization, and scale-up while earning a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Sean realized the demand for live copepods and phytoplankton products after being unable to find a quality source to maintain his 60gal reef tank. He then began growing his own copepods and phytoplankton in his garage to order to feed his spawning mandarins and pipefish before starting AlgaeBarn.
Ye Lu
Director of QA/QC
Ye is a molecular biologist with a passion for phytoplankton and zooplankton research. He began his work with phytoplankton at the University of Colorado,Boulder while working towards his undergraduate degree. At AlgaeBarn, he conducts research to improve both our products and production processes. Ye is also engaged in consumer education and is the author of our white papers.
Joe Bartholomew
Operations Manager
Joe aka “Hagrid” is responsible for management all of the cultures, harvesting, and ensuring that all of our live aquacultured products are always happy and thriving.
Kenneth Wingerter
Head Blog Writer
Ken is a production biologist with a special interest in ornamental aquaculture. He studied in the Pacific Northwest, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Oregon as well as a Certificate of Completion in the Oregon Coast Community College Aquarium Science Program. Ken has a passion for writing about saltwater aquariums and aquaculture which makes him perfect for his role as Head Blog Writer for the AlgaeBarn Blog