Eric Gabilondo, a Kennesaw State University junior and chemistry major, won the top poster award at the Birla Carbon Symposium on August 21 at the KSU Center.
The KSU College of Science and Mathematics officially recognized the 10 2015 Birla Carbon Scholars at the symposium, which included Gabilondo and nine additional CSM students. Those students are sophomores Garrison Kohler, biology; and Jacob Michelis, mathematics; and juniors Aqsa Adnan, chemistry; Tara Allen, biology; Sydney Green, biochemistry; Cody Padgett, chemistry; Myles Robinson, chemistry; Kirt Ronig, biochemistry; and Abdelsalam Sharkaski, biology.
A large crowd of fellow KSU students, faculty, staff and Birla Carbon executives viewed the posters exhibited in the KSU Center, which featured comments from College of Science and Mathematics Dean Mark Anderson and Birla Carbon’s North American Region President John Loudermilk.
Gabilondo took the top prize for his research project entitled “Preparing to Measure the Reactivity of Methane on Vanadium Surfaces Using a Heated Effusive Molecular Beam.” The project investigated the development of experimental and theoretical methods, including a heated effusive molecular beam doser, to study vanadium catalysts in methane conversion to feedstock chemicals.
Gabilondo says he feels “proud, honored, and exhilarated” about his accomplishment.
“I was not expecting to win, especially when I saw the other research presented,” he said. “It was also a large confidence boost, and affirms my belief that I am making the right career choice.”
His mom, Patricia Gabilondo, says that the family is very proud of him.
“Eric has always exhibited a steady determination in the areas of study that have interested him the most,” she said. “We…believe this is a first major step in what’s sure to be an important life journey.”
Gabilondo received $2,000 in travel funds to present his research at the regional or national scientific conference of his choice in the next academic year. Gabilondo says that he has decided to attend the American Chemical Society 2016 national conference, taking place in San Diego, California. Additionally, Gabilondo and the remainder of the Birla Carbon Scholars each received a $4,000 summer stipend.
Anderson said that the stipend provides students with the time and the finances needed to expand their research skills and continue KSU’s tradition of academic excellence.
This year’s symposium celebrated the second year of a five-year partnership with Birla Carbon, the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of Carbon Black. The scholars program was developed in April 2014 with a $250,000 pledge from Birla Carbon.
The program gives CSM students the opportunity to work with a faculty member on a research project during a 10-week summer program. Participating students then present their research to a team of scientists from Birla Carbon’s Marietta facility during the Birla Carbon Symposium. Applicants for the annual scholarship must be freshmen, sophomores or juniors during the spring semester in which they apply, and they must at that time have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
