Robert J. Gilliard Jr., graduate student in the Department of Chemistry, has received an award to attend the 63rd Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates (funded by Oak Ridge National Laboratories). This is a globally recognized forum that aims to “educate, inspire, and connect the world’s international best talents.” The nomination process for this award occurs in three phases. Applicants must first be the winner of their institutions internal competition. Then, a select group of applicants is chosen to represent the United States. Finally, the International Council for Lindau Meeting Reviewers must choose highly qualified researchers worldwide. Graduate students must demonstrate professional success through awards and honors, show a strong commitment to their principal field of study, and must prove significant scientific achievements in research. David Lee, Vice President for Research and UGA’s ORAU representative, said “I view this as a fantastic, potentially formative, opportunity for our most accomplished graduate students. I am both delighted and proud to see UGA students like Robert selected for this very, very competitive honor. I am also appreciative to ORAU for helping to make this opportunity available.” As a member of the 2013 U.S. Delegation, Robert will join other young researchers from over 70 countries in lectures and discussions with some of the world’s most renowned scientists. The award includes an orientation at the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters (Washington, DC), the 6-day Nobel Laureate Meeting (Lindau, Germany), and a trip to Zurich, Switzerland. Commenting on his upcoming trip this summer, Robert said, “I am blessed to be afforded such an invaluable opportunity. Receiving awards such as this speaks directly to the level of training I’ve received at The University of Georgia.” Robert is a member of Professor Gregory H. Robinson’s Research Group where his work involves utilizing N-heterocyclic carbenes to stabilize highly reactive main group molecules. Recently, he prepared the first experimental example of an unambiguously structurally characterized monomeric beryllium borohydride derivative (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 9953-9955). This manuscript was highlighted by the editors of JACS and featured as a “Spotlight Article” (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 11300)—a significant discovery that appeals to a broad community of scientists. Robert earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Clemson University where he was an undergraduate researcher in the laboratory of Professor Rhett C. Smith.
