Distinguished R&D staff scientist Robert (Bob) Hettich leads the Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry group in ORNL’s Biosciences Division. He is recognized as a founder of the field of metaproteomics and a pioneer in the development and demonstration of advanced biological mass spectrometry technologies. Bob’s work has focused on microbiome research to characterize complex biological mixtures such as microbial proteomes, and for examining higher order protein structure. His stature as a leader in metaproteomics has placed him at the forefront of several international research initiatives, and he has mentored more than 40 postdoctoral and graduate students.
Bob received a doctorate in analytical chemistry from Purdue University and joined the ORNL research staff in 1986. He is a joint faculty member with the University of Tennessee’s microbiology department and a faculty member of the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research, where he was named outstanding faculty member in 2023.