Gregory H. Robinson, Foundation Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, has been named UGA’s 2014 recipient of the Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award.
The award, which is administered by SEC provosts, recognizes one faculty member from each of the 14 SEC schools and includes a $5,000 honorarium. Robinson joined the UGA faculty in 1995 and was named Distinguished Research Professor in 2000, Franklin Professor in 2005 and Foundation Distinguished Professor in 2013.
“Dr. Robinson excels as a scholar and as an instructor who demonstrates an outstanding level of commitment to the university and to his field,” said Pamela Whitten, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “He represents the University of Georgia with distinction in all that he does and is most deserving of this honor.”
Over the past 25 years, Robinson and his team have published a series of fundamental findings that have reshaped how scientists view chemical bonding in many inorganic compounds. His achievements have been described as groundbreaking, and his work is recognized internationally. Robinson has presented his research in nearly 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, six book chapters, a book and dozens of regional, national and international conference presentations.
The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences professor has received a number of honors, including the Humboldt Research Award granted by Germany’s Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The award is granted in recognition of a researcher’s career achievements and is granted to those academics whose fundamental discoveries, new theories or insights have significantly impacted their discipline. Robinson recently received the F. Albert Cotton Award in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry, sponsored by the American Chemical Society, which recognizes distinguished work in synthetic inorganic chemistry and places a high premium on creativity and imagination. His additional awards include the National Science Foundation’s Award for Special Creativity, the Percy L. Julian Award of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers and UGA’s Lamar Dodd Research Award.
Robinson is active in service to his university and to his profession. On campus, he mentors student-athletes and serves on the UGA Research Foundation as well as on the UGA Athletic Association board of directors. He recently served on search committees for the dean of Franklin College and the senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. Robinson has been a consultant or panelist for the National Science Foundation and the Ford Foundation and sits on the editorial boards of seven journals in his field. He has chaired panels at regional and national meetings of the American Chemical Society and is president-elect of the Northeast Georgia Section of the American Chemical Society. Robinson also visits elementary schools to talk with children about chemistry and what it means to be a chemist.
