Dr. Jacob Morris is the Research and Development Manager for BAE Systems at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant, Kingsport, Tennessee. The plant is the major supplier of RDX-, HMX-, and IMX-based explosives to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Dr. Morris leads a team of chemists, engineers, and technicians responsible for the synthesis, formulation, and testing of energetic materials with a mission of transitioning energetic materials from the lab to the manufacturing scale. The team’s responsibilities also include technical support on all current production processes and the ongoing modernization effort at the facility.

Dr. Morris previously served as the Synthesis and Pilot Plant Manager at BAE Systems, responsible for the development of novel explosive ingredients and formulations from the lab- to the pilot-scale. The team successfully developed a range of explosive products, including novel and legacy high-temperature stable explosive ingredients, thermobaric formulations, and next-generation melt-case formulations. The team was recognized in 2010 by Time Magazine for their innovative work on developing the IMX-family of insensitive explosive formulations.

Dr. Morris joined BAE Systems in 2008 as a synthesis chemist after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in chemistry. His graduate research focused on the synthesis of novel organometallic coordination networks using alkali metal aggregate assemblies with an emphasis on understanding the solid-state structures and material application. During that time, he also taught Inorganic Chemistry as an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s College.

EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio
2008 Doctor of Philosophy, Chemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind.

CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. Aug 2003 – May 2008, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Notre Dame, Ind.
2. September 2007 – May 2008, Adjunct Professor, St. Mary’s College, Ind.
3. June 2008 – February 2013, R&D Synthesis Chemist, BAE Systems, Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP), Tenn.
4. February 2013 – September 2018, R&D Synthesis & Pilot Plant Manager, BAE Systems, HSAAP, Tenn.
5. September 2018 – January 2019, Contract R&D & Pilot Plant Manager, BAE Systems, HSAAP, Tenn.
6. January 2019 – Present, R&D Manager, BAE Systems, HSAAP, Tenn.

AWARDS AND HONORS
2013 National Nuclear Security Administration Defense Program Award Excellence
2013 U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Recognition for Program Execution
2013 U.S. National Armaments Consortium Program Execution Award
2011 / 2016 BAE Systems Gold Award for Innovation
2010 Time Magazine Top 50 Innovations of the Year Award (Current as of May 2021)