2008 12 People You Need to Know: Von Ebron

Leading the charge is Von Ebron, the technical lead for St. Louis-based Crosslink’s first project at Jordan Valley Innovation Center. He and two other scientists are developing self-detoxifying polymer coating systems for chemical and biological warfare agents.

The product’s initial application will be for U.S. Army protection shelters, such as tents. The coating system would be applied to a shelter and activated in the event of an attack, releasing a chemical that kills deadly bacteria.

“No one’s ever done this before,” Ebron says. “Right now, what the Army’s doing is washing (shelters) down with soap and water or bleach. Hopefully, our system will make it simpler and more effective. It’s cool, but it’s not trivial.”

JVIC has gotten a lot of play since it opened in spring 2007 as the facility to put southwest Missouri on the map for top-notch scientific research and development. But specifics of the projects, which Ebron calls “cutting edge,” and their potential impacts on the world, are not so well-known.

“We have met several people in different parts of the country, and they think what we’re doing is great,” Ebron says. “People of Springfield should know they have an institution here that is high-level and doing work that will eventually lead to improving people’s lives.”

Ebron himself was unfamiliar with JVIC when he took his current job in July 2006. He previously was a research scientist and laboratory manager at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he earned a doctorate and a master’s degree in chemistry.

Earlier in his career, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of the Philippines in his native country, he spent two years testing coatings and inks in the packaging products division of San Miguel Corp.

The monotony of the job sent Ebron back to school with his eyes on research and development.

Solutions are Ebron’s specialty, as his position has him responsible for laying project timetables, designing experiments and setting benchmarks.

“The work I’m doing here, I’m actually making a mark,” he says.

“In my career, I don’t think I’ve reached a peak – I think I’m just starting out.”

Von Ebron

Position: Technical lead, Crosslink at Jordan Valley Innovation Center

Age: 35

Education: Doctorate in chemistry and master’s degree in chemistry, University of Texas-Dallas; bachelor’s degree in chemistry, University of the Philippines

Career: Research assistant and laboratory manager at University of Texas-Dallas; chemist for San Miguel Corp.; University of the Philippines instructor

Q&A Date: Oct. 14