Jeffery L. Yarger

Jeffery L. Yarger is a Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics at Arizona State University with a joint appointment in the School of Molecular Sciences and the Department of Physics. He serves as the founding and current director of the Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC) at ASU, where he leads research efforts in biophysical chemistry, nano-materials, biopolymers, and the characterization of disordered or amorphous materials. His work spans multiple disciplines, with significant contributions to understanding spider silk, amorphous pharmaceuticals, and polyamorphic systems.

Dr. Yarger's primary research interests focus on understanding how local structure and dynamics control the physical and mechanical properties of disordered materials. His work encompasses spider silk fibers, protein clusters, polyamorphic materials, nano-particles, quantum dots, battery materials, and diabetes-related research. His laboratory develops and applies advanced techniques including solid-state NMR, X-ray diffraction, neutron scattering, vibrational spectroscopy, and Brillouin scattering to elucidate molecular structures in complex systems.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research that bridges fundamental materials science with biomedical applications. The work spans from fundamental studies of amorphous materials to practical applications in drug development, tissue engineering, and energy storage. His research group maintains facilities at ASU's Tempe campus, Argonne National Laboratory, and the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, reflecting the collaborative nature of his work.

Professor Yarger has secured significant research funding from multiple agencies including NSF, DOD, and Argonne National Laboratory. His grants support work in spider silk characterization, NMR methodology development, and studies of amorphous pharmaceuticals. His service includes committee work at ASU, review activities for major journals including Science, Nature, and JACS, and participation in national research facilities.

His research group operates across multiple locations, with primary labs in the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 1 at ASU, as well as collaborations at national laboratories including Argonne and Oak Ridge. The group maintains an 800 MHz NMR system and develops specialized instrumentation for studying complex materials under extreme conditions.