Wim Steelant

Dr. Wim Steelant - profile photo

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

  • 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"

  • 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

  • 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