Dr. Allen Apblett, professor of chemistry at Oklahoma State University, is the recipient of the 2014 Oklahoma Chemist Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions in chemical research, education, leadership, and entrepreneurship in the state of Oklahoma. He accepted the award on Saturday at the 59th Pentasectional Meeting of the American Chemical Society held at the Wes Watkins Center in Stillwater.
Apblett’s research is focused on the application of metallo-organic chemistry to challenges faced by our society in the areas of protection and clean-up of the environment, improvements in industrial processes, and the development of novel routes to advanced materials. This research has led to four patents, the publication of over 110 papers and book chapters, and the graduation of eight M.S. and 38 Ph.D. students. Several of his students are faculty members or employees of companies in Oklahoma.
Apblett is a firm believer in impacting the economy through both research assistance to local industry and the establishment of new companies that provide jobs to other chemists. Three Oklahoman companies have been created that commercialize his research: Associated Materials Processing, SensorCorr, and XploSafe. These produce materials for water purification, wireless sensors for corrosion detection, and products for homeland security and laboratory safety, respectively. XploSafe’s motto “technology for a safer world” also perfectly describes Apblett’s research philosophy. His entrepreneurial efforts are also directed towards providing help to students who are starting businesses and need assistance with chemistry. He has been named a fellow of the OSU Riata Center for Entrepreneurship as a consequence of these activities.
Apblett earned a bachelor’s degree in science with first class honors from the University of New Brunswick in 1984 and a doctorate from the University of Calgary in 1989. He was awarded a NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship that he chose to use at Harvard University. In 1991 he became an assistant professor at Tulane University and then moved to Oklahoma State University in 1997. Since arriving in Oklahoma, Apblett has been a dedicated supporter of the Oklahoma Section of the American Chemical Society and has served continuously on its executive committee. He currently serves as the section’s councilor, an elected position he has held since 2007. He is also a member of the national ACS’s Committee on Chemical Safety.
Apblett has also been honored as a fellow of both the American Chemical Society and the American Ceramic Society, the OSU Entrepreneur of the Year, and a recipient of the Canadian Governor General’s Medal.
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