CPS Presents
Distinguished Alumni Speaker
Lecture Series
The Career Placement Services Office at Jacksonville State University is presenting a Distinguished Alumni Speaker Lecture Series program this year featuring prominent graduates of the university who are leaders in their field. The objective of this lecture series is to inspire and motivate students to excel in their academic pursuits and be conscientious in their career moves taking advantage of opportunities such as job internships in order to achieve success in their chosen careers.

The Distinguished Alumni Speaker Lecture Series program is a major part of the "My Career, My Success, My JSU" package sponsored and promoted by the Career Placement Services Office.  The lecture series also facilitates and promotes the participation of alumni in activities that support the University’s overall pursuit of excellence.

Career Placement is featuring JSU Alumnus Dr. Greg Robinson as the speaker in their next distinguished alumni lecture series on Tuesday, February 19 in Room 234 of Martin Hall at 12 Noon.  Chemistry majors are welcomed.

Dr. Greg Robinson

Robinson was educated in Alabama, receiving his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1980 from Jacksonville State University, where he was also a highly ranked football player, being named Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year for 1979. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Alabama in 1984.

Robinson began his teaching career at Clemson University in 1985  where he rose to the rank of professor by 1995.  In 1995 Robinson moved his research program to the University of Georgia where he has advanced from professor of chemistry, 1995-2000, to Distinguished Research Professor of Chemistry, 2000-05, to Franklin Professor of Chemistry, 2005 to date. 

Robinson has received numerous honors in recognition of his research program.  He was awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at the Technische Universitat Berlin in 1994.  He received the 1998 Southern Chemist Award from the Memphis Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) which recognizes distinguished service to the chemistry profession in the southern United States. The award was presented in honor of his research on the rare metallic element gallium, which is a liquid near room temperature, expands on solidification and is found as a trace element in coal, bauxite and other minerals. It is used in semiconductor technology and as a component on low-melting alloys.

Robinson’s research team touched off a spirited argument among chemists internationally in 1997 when they announced the first "triple bond" between gallium atoms - - a bonding phenomenon that previously had been thought impossible. The discovery, which has since been confirmed, could open the way for new research into products and technologies with uses in electronics.

His research interests concern the organometallic chemistry of the main group elements. Historically somewhat overshadowed by the organometallic chemistry of the transition metals, the organometallic chemistry of the main group elements is now experiencing great activity. In large part this is driven by the quest for single source molecular precursors for advanced inorganic/electronic materials. His research group has developed new synthetic strategies resulting in the preparation of a number of interesting gallium-phosphorus compounds, phosphinogallanes, and indium-phosphorus compounds, phosphinoindanes, which have been shown to be attractive molecular precursor templates.

Robinson is the author of more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and is on the editorial boards of several publications. His lab is continuing to work on gallium chemistry, and other research papers are now in preparation.

Robinson has been affiliated with the American Chemical Society (ACS) since becoming an ACS member in 1981.  He has served in ACS national offices on the Advisory board, Chemical & Engineering News, 2001-06,  and the advisory board, Organometallics, 2003-06.  He has also served on the Editorial board of Synthesis & Reactivity in Inorganic & Metal-Organic Chemistry, Journal of Coordination Chemistry, Main Group Chemistry; board of visitors, National Science Foundation, 2001. 

When applying for the District IV Director position of the ACS Northeastern Georgia Section, 2008-2010, Dr. Robinson issued a candidate statement which reveals not only his dedication to his chosen career in the field of chemistry but also his dedication to the teaching profession. Visit the ACS Website to view this statement.

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