Seth M. Cohen stands as a distinguished leader in the field of inorganic chemistry with significant contributions spanning materials science and medicinal applications. He currently holds the position of Distinguished Professor and Chancellor's Distinguished Professorship in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego, where he has made substantial impacts since joining the faculty in 2001. Educated at Stanford University, where he earned dual degrees in Chemistry and Political Science, he completed his doctoral studies in Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley under Kenneth N. Raymond before conducting postdoctoral research with Stephen J. Lippard at MIT. His academic leadership extends beyond research as he served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry from 2012 to 2015 and contributed to national scientific priorities during his tenure as a Program Manager at DARPA's Biological Technologies Office from 2019 to 2023.
Professor Cohen's pioneering research has fundamentally advanced the understanding and application of metal-organic frameworks through his development of innovative postsynthetic modification techniques that have become standard methodologies in the field. His laboratory's groundbreaking work on MOF-polymer composites has opened new pathways for applications in chemical separations and catalysis, demonstrating exceptional versatility and practical utility in materials science. In parallel, his research in bioinorganic chemistry has yielded significant advances in metalloprotein inhibitor discovery through the development of novel metal-binding pharmacophores with therapeutic potential. These contributions have established him as a thought leader whose work bridges fundamental chemical principles with real-world applications in both materials science and medicinal chemistry.
Recognized with numerous prestigious honors including the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award and fellowships in the American Chemical Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, and American Association for the Advancement of Science, Cohen's influence extends through his mentorship of future scientists via programs such as the Alliance for Graduate Education and Professoriate and Sloan Scholars. His leadership in the chemical sciences community is evident through his editorial roles and active participation in shaping research directions across multiple disciplines. Current research in the Cohen laboratory continues to push boundaries in metal-organic framework engineering and metalloprotein inhibitor design, with implications for drug development, environmental remediation, and advanced materials. As his work evolves, Professor Cohen remains at the forefront of integrating inorganic chemistry principles with biological and materials applications, ensuring continued impact on both scientific understanding and practical innovations in the chemical sciences.
