Dr. Wim Steelant
Dean and Professor
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
Moser Hall 2200
phone: (330) 941-3009
wfsteelant@ysu.edu
Bio
Dr. Steelant received a Bachelor degree in Analytical Chemistry (1992) from St. Lieven College (Ghent, Belgium) followed by a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering (1993) from West-Brabant College (Etten-Leur, The Netherlands). He obtained his Ph.D. in Biology/Biochemistry/Biomedicine from the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands) in 2000 and completed a postdoctoral training at the University of Washington, Department of Pathobiology and the Pacific Northwest Research Institute with Prof. Sen-Itiroh Hakomori.
In 2002, he accepted a tenure-track position at New Mexico Tech in the Department of Chemistry with emphasis both on teaching and the creation of a Biochemical and Biomedical research facility. He obtained his tenure and promotion as Associate Professor in Chemistry in 2008. After serving three years as Chemistry Department Chair at New Mexico Tech, he became Dean of the School of Science at St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. During that time, Dr. Steelant also was the founder of the nursing program, and accepted the position of Founding VP for Research (2014) at this institution to shape the Office of Sponsored Research and support and develop the University’s plan to seek more extramural funding. In 2016, he transitioned to a state university (Youngstown State University; YSU) where he now serves as Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Professor of Chemistry.
Research Interests
Cancer Research, Metastasis, Cancer Cell Invasion, Drug Discovery
Teaching Interests
Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical and Biological Warfare
-
Education
-
2000
Ph D, Biochemical/Biomedical
University of Amsterdam
Dissertation/Thesis Title — "Role of antitumor lipids in cell-cell adhesion and invasion"
-
1993
MS, Chemical Engineering
West-Brabant College
Dissertation/Thesis Title — "Near Infrared spectrometry in the detection of moisture in Surlyn granules and maleic acid anhydride in granules of styrene maleic acid anhydride"
-
1992
BS, Chemistry (analytical)
St. Lieven College
Dissertation/Thesis Title — "Detection of an anti-invasive alkyl phospholipd in cell culture and media using capillary gas chromatography"
-
Awards and Honors
-
2011
American Society of Leadership and Success
Excellence in Teaching award
-
2007
New Mexico Tech
Innovative Teaching Award
The Innovative Teaching Award was obtained for the Biochemistry 2 lab (CHEM442L) course development. The existing course curriculum was converted to a real research lab. The students were taught how to investigate potential anticancer activity of medicinal plants that are being used the students’ family. The interest in this course was overwhelming and has resulted in numerous undergraduate student authorships on peer-reviewed papers.
-
1996
Flemish League Against Cancer
Scientific prize of the Flemish League Against Cancer
-
1995
Flemish League Against Cancer
Scientific prize of the Flemish League Against Cancer
-
Professional Positions
-
2016 -
Youngstown State University
Dean of STEM and Professor of Chemistry (tenured)
-
2014 - 2015
St. Thomas University
Vice President for Research
-
2011 - 2015
St. Thomas university
Dean of Science and Associate Professor
-
2008 - 2011
New Mexico Tech
Chair and Associate Professor (tenured)
-
2002 - 2008
New Mexico Tech
Assistant Professor Chemistry
-
2000 - 2002
University of Washington
Research Associate
