Yellowstone Times

Sharon Neufeldt, an organic chemist at Montana State University, has been honored with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. This accolade is recognized as the highest honor given by the United States government to scientists and engineers who are in the early stages of their careers.

Neufeldt, an associate professor in MSU's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is noted for her research on cross-coupling reactions. These chemical reactions, facilitated by metals like nickel or palladium, help form bonds between carbon atoms from different molecules. The resulting compounds have significant applications in various industries such as pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

In 2019, Neufeldt received a five-year National Science Foundation CAREER award worth $675,000 to develop catalysts that enhance chemical reaction selectivity and efficiency. Her ongoing research aims to deepen understanding of how catalysts influence cross-coupling reaction selectivity.

“Cross-coupling reactions are a very powerful class of transformation,” Neufeldt said. “But there are still things we don’t understand.”

The chemist discovered she was a candidate for the PECASE while proctoring an exam last month. Initially skeptical due to her inactive CAREER award status—a nomination requirement—she thought it was a phishing attempt until informed otherwise by her NSF contact.

“I am very proud of the work that my students have accomplished,” Neufeldt stated. She currently mentors eight doctoral students.

Joan Broderick, head of MSU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, praised Neufeldt as an outstanding researcher and mentor: “She gives generously of her time to advance the mission of MSU in all her roles as a faculty member.”

Neufeldt joined MSU's faculty in 2016 after postdoctoral work at UCLA. She holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University.

Her accolades include being named one of 25 Cottrell Scholars in 2020 for leadership and innovative research in physical sciences. That year she also received NIH funding through its Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award.

Currently, Neufeldt is exploring methods to break carbon-carbon bonds in plastics with funding from MSU’s Research Expansion Funds Grant Program.

Alison Harmon, MSU’s vice president for Research and Economic Development commented: “Dr. Neufeldt’s work is impressive... Like many of our top faculty, Dr. Neufeldt is not only an accomplished researcher but also an exceptional teacher.”