Corbin D. Ester, ’15 has been awarded a George T. Barthalmus Undergraduate Research Grant for 2012-2013. He is the first Appalachian State University student to receive this award and is one of only five throughout the state of North Carolina to receive the grant this year. This is a competitive, undergraduate research grant for sophomores only, in recognition of the late Dr. George Barthalmus (NC State University), founding member of the OSR Advisory Board at Appalachian State University and founder of the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS). He had a passion for encouraging undergraduates to pursue their interests through the process of research, be it in the sciences, humanities, or through artistic expression. Dr. Barthalmus was an advocate for the early involvement and development of students in the research process as a way to engage and retain students in academics.
Corbin’s project proposes to synthesize several new glyoximes that will complex with cobalt forming new catalysts. Similar cobalt glyoximes are known to catalyze hydrogen production, and Corbin’s project involves the modification of the glyoxime portion to improve the catalytic properties of these materials. This research project will be carried out in the research laboratory of Prof. Dale Wheeler (chemistry). He will be presenting the results of his work in November 2013 at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS) to be held at University of North Carolina - Charlotte. Corbin is a Chancellor’s Scholar and is the vice president of the Appalachian Honors Association (AHA).
Corbin Ester
