Lambic discovers a ‘special chemistry’ at SWU
Dr. Nikola Lambic has come a long way from his days as a teenager playing basketball in Serbia. Lambic, a Southern Wesleyan University graduate, is now a research chemist for ExxonMobil Chemical Co. in the Houston area.
Serbian native grateful to coaches and professors’ mentorship
Just over a decade ago, Dr. Nikola Lambic was a young basketball player in Serbia when a Serbian basketball coach presented him with an opportunity to play and continue his education in the United States.
Lambic pursued this opportunity and wound up at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, located in Rabun Gap, Ga.
“As hard as it was early on, I am really glad that I made the decision to come to the U.S.,” Lambic said. “Leaving home at such an early age was particularly difficult and it took some time to adjust. So, for me, basketball was a tool to get a great education. I think that speaks a lot about the collegiate system in America. I don’t think you can accomplish this anywhere else in the world, without having to choose one or the other – sports or education.”
Becoming a Warrior
Then-Head Men’s Basketball Coach Charles Wimphrie recruited Lambic to play for the Warriors. Lambic is grateful to his professors and coaches, who helped him to excel in both academics and athletics.
“Coach Charles Wimphrie always emphasized leadership, hard work and competitive spirit as important skills that can be translated from the basketball court into professional career. He always wanted his players to use basketball as a tool to mature into competitive and successful leaders in life,” said Lambic, who was team captain from 2011-2013. Lambic is appreciative of Wimphrie’s friendship and mentorship.
Lambic, now a research chemist for ExxonMobil Chemical Co. in Texas, says his experiences at Southern Wesleyan helped him develop the skills essential to solving complex scientific problems and to realize ways that his chemistry research could benefit society.
Discovering chemistry
“I never intended to become a chemist until late in my junior year when I got involved in chemistry research with Dr. Pascal Binda. The chemistry research at SWU at that time was focused on organic synthesis and biodegradable polymers,” Lambic said, noting that Binda promoted inventive learning through independence and critical thinking among his students.
After graduating from Southern Wesleyan in 2013 with a BS in chemistry, Lambic went on to North Carolina State University, where he did graduate work and ultimately earned his Ph.D. in chemistry.
In addition to his research – for which he received numerous awards – Lambic has also published in several academic journals and has given several oral presentations.
Just as teamwork skills benefited him as a student-athlete on the basketball court, Lambic was discovering another kind of teamwork as a student engaged in chemistry research – helping to reinforce his career goals. He appreciates his professors for the instrumental role they played in guiding him toward what he believes to be the right career choice.
Looking back, Lambic appreciates the solid foundation Southern Wesleyan provided, something he believes equipped him as well as if he chose to study at a larger research institution. At Southern Wesleyan, he was inducted into Alpha Chi, a national honor society, and as a student-athlete was a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) All-Academic and All-Regional teams.
“I realized that the coursework and research experience at SWU provided a solid foundation for a successful graduate school career,” Lambic said. “At SWU, I was introduced to important values such as integrity, perseverance and teamwork – all of which tremendously helped my career.”
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused, faith-filled community that offers inventive learning experiences. The university endeavors to prepare its students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. At the same time, it’s Southern Wesleyan’s desire to practice contagious generosity within the surrounding community. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.
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