معرفی
Caleb Gibson serves as the Billie Sue Hurst Professor of Chemistry within the Biology & Biochemistry Department at Emory & Henry College. An Appalachian native from northeast Tennessee, he embodies the liberal arts tradition through his dual background in chemistry and philosophy, focusing his scholarly work at the chemistry-biology interface with strong environmental relevance to the Appalachian region.
Education:
- PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Philosophy from Carson-Newman University
Dr. Gibson’s research program centers on applying chemical techniques to biological questions with distinct Appalachian environmental applications. His current work involves quantifying antioxidants in wild Appalachian mushrooms and conducting detailed chemical analyses of small-farm maple syrups from West Virginia, investigating how production variables like sap collection timing and maple species affect antioxidant profiles and flavor characteristics. This regionally focused research bridges fundamental chemistry with practical environmental and agricultural questions.
His recent publications demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory examining natural products in Appalachian food sources, particularly maple syrup. Through student collaborations, he has developed innovative undergraduate teaching laboratories while systematically analyzing how production variables influence syrup chemistry. This work establishes meaningful connections between chemistry education, analytical methodology development, and regional agricultural science.
Dr. Gibson actively mentors undergraduate students in hands-on research projects, integrating them into his investigations of natural product chemistry and environmental analysis. His scholarly output appears in regional academic proceedings and national conferences including the American Chemical Society meetings, demonstrating commitment to both student development and scientific contribution despite limited mention of formal grant funding.
Based in McGlothlin-Street Hall, his research team operates at the intersection of classroom and field work, collecting and analyzing local natural resources like wild mushrooms and maple syrup to understand their chemical properties and potential health benefits within the Appalachian context.
