Wilson is a senior graduate student working on his Ph.D. and is also the safety representative to the Chemical and Biological Engineering Safety Committee.
He was nominated by his advisor, Robert Prud’homme, professor of chemical and biological engineering, who cited Wilson’s exceptional and conscientious commitment to safety. “Brian has gone beyond what is normally required in this position,” Prud’homme said in a statement. “He has been the most effective and proactive safety officer I have ever had in my group. He is a worthy recipient of the Dale Grieb Award.”
Prud’homme also praised Wilson’s skills as a scientist and his knowledge of chemistry.
“He’s a spectacular student and researcher,” he said. “He is a person who is supportive, engaged and helpful. He’s also probably one of the most skillful chemists and biologists I’ve had in my career. He understands the details of what the hazards are in the various experiments that go on in the lab and this has made him especially effective.”
Wilson is studying nanoparticle technology as a vehicle for drug delivery, a cutting-edge area of research that holds great promise in treating many diseases. He came to Princeton from the University of Texas after receiving a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. He will be graduating next spring, when he plans to seek a position in private industry.
Wilson received the award in October from the Dean's Office during the CBE Fall Safety Committee Meeting. The award consisted of a plaque recognizing the achievement and a cash prize of $2,500 to spend as he chooses.
Wilson is the second recipient of the Dale Grieb Safety Award since its inception in 2019. The award is given out by the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) as a way of recognizing members of its community who have made substantive and positive contributions to improving laboratory and workplace safety within the School. It is named in honor of Dale Grieb, long-time administrator at Princeton who worked as a manager in the chemical and biological engineering department and was also director of administration and services in the School of Engineering and Applied Science until her death from pancreatic cancer in 2012.