Jared DeCoste, Ph.D., received the prestigious award for to his efforts to further the understanding and development of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense applications. For the past eight years, DeCoste has been a leader in MOF research with the goal of protecting Soldiers from CBRN threats on the battlefield.

“Jared is a talented scientist and we’re proud he is a member of the CCDC Chemical Biological Center Research and Technology (R&T) Directorate,” said Matthew Shue, acting R&T director.

Around the Center and in his field, Decoste strives to collaborate with others.

“He is an interdisciplinary scientist who embodies what it means to collaborate across the Center,” Shue explained. “Jared is extremely mission-focused. He fosters a collaborative environment to help meet customer needs head-on, developing creative solutions to directly impact the warfighter.”

DeCoste’s work has led to 5 U.S. patents and more than 50 manuscripts. His work has been featured in periodicals and by news outlets including Chemical and Engineering News, Materials Today, Fox News, Science Daily, CBRNE World and Nature.

DeCoste said his work as the principal investigator of the Biological Engineering for Applied Materials Solutions (BEAMS) program at the Center has been a highlight of his career, leading him to collaborate and innovate in ways that only working in a highly interdisciplinary field allows. His work has always revolved around finding unique avenues to progress science through collaboration.

“To me this award means that we are doing something right in trying to create a more open and collaborative culture,” said DeCoste. “Scientists are notorious for keeping their work very close to the vest and secretive. We have shown that working together across the Center, as well as with other government organizations, industry and academia, we can accomplish so much more. The ACS is a fantastic professional organization and it is great that they are recognizing some of the great work we are doing at the Center.”

“The awards committee was extremely impressed by Jared’s accomplishments,” said Angela Sherman, Chair of the American Chemical Society’s Maryland Chemical Award Committee. “He specializes in a very challenging field and has made great strides in a short time. After reviewing Jared’s work and submission materials, it was evident he was deserving for our section’s highest award.”

Established in 1962, the Maryland Chemist Award annually recognizes a member of the American Chemical Society, Maryland Section, for outstanding achievement in the fields of chemistry. The achievement may be in pure or applied chemistry, chemical engineering, or chemical education.