MSU chemistry graduate student wins prestigious NRC Research Associate Award

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University chemistry graduate student Matthew Carlo recently was selected for the National Research Council Research Associate Award to conduct his postdoctoral training at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, CA.  

NRC Research Associate Awards are presented to “exceptionally talented postdoctoral and senior scientists and engineers through a rigorous selection process” who are granted tenure as guest researchers at participating laboratories, highlighting their outstanding contributions and potential in their respective fields. Funding is provided through the Fellowships Office of the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine.  

With the award, Carlo will research the development of new approaches to mass spectrometric detection and characterization of PFAS, otherwise known as “forever chemicals.”  

“Identifying and performing clean-up of PFAS contaminated zones is a current area of focus for many arenas, including active military installations. Developing novel approaches, especially using mass spectrometry-based methods, to tackle this problem is an important endeavor. I am thrilled for the opportunity provided by the NRC Research Associate award to perform research in a government laboratory to help address this need,” Carlo said. 

The Utica, NY, native works in the lab of Amanda Patrick, an assistant professor in MSU’s chemistry department.  

Carlo’s research focuses on using mass spectrometry for the analysis of drug molecules and other small molecules, especially those regulated under anti-doping initiatives. He will complete his Ph.D. this summer and will continue to pursue his research using mass spectrometry. 

For more details about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences or the Department of Chemistry, visit www.cas.msstate.edu or www.chemistry.msstate.edu.  

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