Omar K. Farha receives inaugural Reticular Science Prize
May 19, 2026
Award recognizes Farha’s advances in molecularly designed materials
Northwestern chemist Omar K. Farha has been awarded the inaugural Reticular Science Prize by Atoco Inc., an international honor for major advances in the design, discovery and application of molecularly defined materials. The prize emphasizes original and impactful discoveries made within the past seven years.
Farha is the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Chemistry in Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Department of Chemistry. His research addresses challenges in chemistry and materials science, from energy and environmental applications to national defense. His work focuses on atomically precise functional materials, including metal-organic frameworks and porous organic polymers, and examines how a material’s three-dimensional structure can shape its performance. His research has advanced applications in gas storage and separation, catalysis, water remediation and the detoxification of chemical warfare agent simulants, with broader implications for chemical protection, safe storage of toxic gases and industrial carbon reduction.
“The committee was unanimous in its view that Omar’s contributions exemplify the criteria for this prize in an exceptional way,” said Laura Gagliardi, Richard and Kathy Leventhal Professor at the University of Chicago and selection committee chair. “His pioneering work on metal–organic frameworks has significantly advanced the frontiers of reticular chemistry through a prolific and highly influential body of fundamental research, while simultaneously demonstrating exceptional translational impact. In particular, the successful translation of his discoveries into commercially deployed technologies through Numat highlights the real-world significance and societal value of his scientific contributions.”
Reticular chemistry gives scientists a way to build porous materials from carefully chosen molecular components, allowing researchers to control structure and function with unusual precision. The field received global recognition in 2025 when the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi for the development of metal-organic frameworks. Today, reticular materials are being explored for applications in energy, environmental remediation, catalysis, electronics, medicine and other areas where highly designed materials can address complex challenges.
“I am truly honored and profoundly grateful to be chosen as the recipient of the Reticular Science Prize,” Farha expressed. “This community is filled with remarkable scientists whose contributions continually advance the field, and I sincerely appreciate the recognition from the selection committee.”
The inaugural Reticular Science Prize was awarded May 18, 2026, during the 10th International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks and Open Framework Compounds, MOF 2026, in New Orleans. As the first recipient, Farha delivered a lecture on his research.
May 19, 2026 | by Kelly Levander