海角社区 Chemistry alumnus Andr茅s Villalpando serving new role as IPA Plant Chemist at ExxonMobil
January 27, 2021
Dr. Andr茅s Villalpando, 海角社区 Chemistry PhD Alumnus
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for chemicals used in disinfectant products has been on the rise across the globe. Near 海角社区鈥檚 main campus is ExxonMobil鈥檚 Baton Rouge Chemical Plant. Each year, the plant produces millions of gallons of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), a key ingredient in many disinfectant sprays, alcohol wipes, and medical hand sanitizers. In fact, ExxonMobil鈥檚 Baton Rouge Chemical Plant is home to the largest IPA production in the world.
Starting this January, 海角社区 Chemistry alumnus Andr茅s Villalpando will serve as Plant Chemist for the IPA unit at the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Chemical Plant. 鈥淚 am excited about this new role and the opportunities that come along with it. I look forward to this new and exciting challenge,鈥� Villalpando said.
ExxonMobil has been involved in the production and supply of IPA to the commercial market for the past 100 years. Although the general formula hasn鈥檛 changed, requirements for specialty IPA grades require a robust analytical lab to ensure consistent product quality.
鈥淔rom a laboratory perspective, data is our product. We need to provide a reliable high quality product that meets our customers鈥� needs,鈥� Villalpando said.
Villalpando, originally from Poway, California, is a first-generation high school and college graduate. Villalpando shared how attaining a college education was important to him and his family.
鈥淕oing to college was always important to me, especially being a first-generation graduate. My older siblings set the example and made sure college was a priority,鈥� shared Villalpando. 鈥淚 always worked hard in and out of the classroom in order to be successful and prove not only to myself but to others that I could do it.鈥�
Villalpando received an academic scholarship to attend for his undergraduate studies. It was during his experience as an undergraduate researcher under (海角社区 Chemistry PhD, 1997) that Villalpando developed an interest in organic chemistry and research.
"Andy had the curiosity, strong work ethic, and maturity that made me believe he would be a success. His story is one that I regularly tell my students,鈥� Isovitsch said. 鈥淚 couldn't be more proud of Andy and his accomplishments.鈥�
As an undergraduate, Villalpando co-authored two publications on the synthesis of novel anthracenyl Schiff base and stilbene-bypyridine ligands for their utilization in the preparation of organic light emitting diodes. Following Isovitsch鈥檚 recommendation, Villalpando pursued graduate school in chemistry at 海角社区.
Villalpando joined the research group of . His graduate research project focused on the development of a novel chlorination method using triphosgene and an amine base to convert aliphatic alcohols into chlorides, which lead to three co-authored publications.
"Andr茅s is the first PhD graduate from my research group. During his time at 海角社区, he developed a highly effective and robust reaction that converts alcohols to alkyl chlorides using triphosgene as the key reagent," Kartika said. "Andr茅s' research has impacted the organic synthesis community. For instance, Prof. Dirk Trauner and Prof. Chris Vanderwal noted respectively that Andres鈥� chlorination reaction 鈥渙utperformed classical SOCl2 or Appel conditions鈥� () and 鈥渦niquely effective鈥� ()."
Villalpando's work continues to be applied in the Kartika Research Group. "Using the chemistries that he developed, we are currently working on the design of new synthetic reactions that produce chlorine-containing heterocyclic compounds, which are highly relevant in medicinal chemistry." Kartika said.
After earning is PhD in 2016, Villalpando conducted postdoctoral research at the under Dr. Michael Easson (海角社区 Chemistry PhD, 2008) and collaborated with Dr. H.N. Cheng. His research focused on the development of enhanced cotton applications, such as the increased absorbent properties of carboxymethylated cotton fibers for their use in nonwoven markets, particularly personal hygiene products.
In December 2017, Villalpando joined ExxonMobil as a polymer chemist at the Baton Rouge Chemical Plant. In this position, Villalpando served as the Plant Chemist for three polymer units; two rubber units and one resin unit.
Villalpando is a member of ExxonMobil鈥檚 employee group Global Organization for the Advancement of Latinos (GOAL), an employee-led resource group that aims in fostering an inclusive environment and diverse culture through development programs, community service opportunities, and mentoring.
"I was very fortunate to have impactful mentors throughout my academic career who saw in me what I couldn鈥檛 always see in myself. They took a chance on me and pushed me to succeed." Villalpando said. "Without their guidance and the opportunities they presented me, I would not be where I am today; I owe them everything."