Institute Leadership

Jason B. Benedict, PhD, Interim Director

Jason Benedict, UB Professor of Chemistry, became interim director of UB-HWI in January 2025. A fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor Benedict is a solid-state materials scientist who focuses on the crystal engineering of functional solids. Using both computational and experimental approaches, his research seeks to advance the understanding of the relationship between structure and function in crystalline materials. Professor Benedict is the recipient of an NSF CAREER Award, Margaret C. Etter Early Career Award from the American Crystallographic Association, and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. Professor Benedict is also an outstanding teacher and mentor and a dedicated member and leader in his professional and university communities. He has served in chair roles at the Society for the Science at User Research Facilities, Advanced Photon Source User Organization at the Argonne National Laboratory, and the Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society. Since 2014, he has administered the U.S. Crystal Growing Competition for K-12 students across the nation.

See Professor Benedict’s faculty website for further information.