Benjamin Place (Fed)

Ben is currently a Research Chemist within the Organic Chemical Metrology Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD. He started at NIST as a National Research Council (NRC) Postdoctoral Fellow, working with adviser Dr. Catherine Rimmer, to develop novel techniques using multidimensional liquid chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometry. Ben has worked on the quantitative measurement of fatty acids in food and dietary supplement reference materials and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food and environmental reference materials.

Currently, Ben’s research has been on the development and validation of non-targeted analysis methods using liquid chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometry. This work includes the coordination Method Assessment for Non-Targeted Analysis (MANTA) Program interlaboratory study, the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Non-Targeted Analysis Interlaboratory Study, and participating as a member of the Best Practices for Non-Targeted Analysis (BP4NTA) Working Group. Recently, he has focused on the development of tools and reference data for the identification of novel PFAS with the Strategic Environmental Research & Development Program (SERDP).

Professional Memberships

• Member, Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
• Member, American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Standards Subcommittee Co-chair, Best Practices for Non-Targeted Analysis (BP4NTA) Working Group

• NIST/MML Accolade for MML Strategic Partnership, 2019
• NIST/MML Accolade for Service to MML, 2015
• MML Angel Investor Award for High-throughput, Surface-based Ionization Technique, 2014
• Laboratory Teaching Assistant Award (Oregon State University), 2009
• ACS Outstanding Student in Chemistry Award (Alma College), 2008