Apblett honored with 2014 Oklahoma Chemist Award
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
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.