TCU's Mission: To educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community. 

This is a place where students learn how to adapt to whatever the future might bring, develop critical thinking skills and expand their creativity. With a choice of rigorous academic programs in 131 undergraduate areas of study, 49 master's level programs and 20 areas of doctoral study, Horned Frogs have opportunities to search for meaning and examine values, yet graduate well-prepared for professional accomplishment.

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In collaboration with researchers at UTSW, we have shown that our tree-shaped polymers can deliver drugs that 'cure' human prostate cancer in mice at doses equivalent to that of the clinical standard of care.

Science - Curing Prostate Cancer in Mice

We have succeeded in making a single molecule, a polymer that is branched like a tree, that is as big as the viruses that cause the common cold.  Achieving such dimensions, 30 nanometers across, are feats for chemistry.

Science - Very large tree-shaped polymers

The TCU IdeaFactory was created to allow students to pursue dreams of social action and/or entrepreneurship outside the scope of classes.   Dr. Simanek was the founding director and now has transitioned to chair the advisory board.

Education - TCU IdeaFactory

Dr. Simanek creates and teaches interdisciplinary courses including this one.

Education - Whiskey Science & History

Dr. Nina Martin included Dr. Simanek on her course to engage students in research to determine how much her movement intervention improved the lives of people living with CP.

Education - Cerebral Palsy & Dance

TCU IdeaFactory - Founding/former director, Chair of Advisory Committee

Fort Worth Medical School Affiliated Faculty 

Comparative Race & Ethnic Studies Affiliated Faculty

Women & Gender Studies Affiliated Faculty

American Chemical Society (ACS)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP)

Complete List Available

Intrinsic Fluorescence of Triazine Dendrimers Provides a New Approach to Study Dendrimer Structure and Conformational Dynamics

Nanoparticle Effects on Human Platelets in Vitro: A Comparison between PAMAM and Triazine Dendrimers

Nonviral Vectors for Gene Delivery

WINNER, "BEST IN THE WORLD" distinction in the "HALL OF FAME" category, 2017 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards FINALIST, "WINE, BEER, & SPIRITS" category, 2017 IACP Cookbook AwardsShots of Knowledge is a guidebook for whiskey lovers. Organized into approximately sixty illustrated essays, the book samples selected topics in whiskey production through the lenses of science and engineering.   While the essays are subdivided into three sections--From Sunshine to Sugar, From Wee Beasties to White Dogs, and From Barrel to Brain--the reader is free to sip them in any order. The story commences with water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight; travels through the manufacturing process; and ends with the molecules that entertain the palate. Whether the topic is photosynthesis, bubble caps, oak speciation, or a mechanistic enzymology, the essays seek to reveal the simple beauty too often hidden in science and engineering. At approximately one page in length, each essay and accompanying artwork can be digested slowly at the rate estimated at three essays per bourbon or Scotch. Each essay is summarized in one or two sentences in a single  "Shot of Knowledge." Iconography anchors each essay in the production process. Inspiration for the book derived from a productive collision between individuals from TCU and the Firestone & Robertson Distilling Company.

Shots of Knowledge: The Science of Whiskey

Designing New Drugs

Simanek was born in Illinois surrounded by fields of corn that was intended for feed or alcohol. He studied biology and chemistry at the University of Illinois, taking a degree in the latter. He completed his Ph.D. under the direction of George Whitesides at Harvard before moving to the labs of Chi-Huey Wong at Scripps. 

Simanek started his independent career at Texas A&M University, where he rose through the ranks before moving to Texas Christian University as the Robert A. Welch Chair.  He currently serves as chair of the department as well.  

His research focuses on using organic chemistry to create molecules that could positively impact human health. Areas of interest include cancer treatment, gene therapy and more recently, the design of novel drugs. Agencies that have supported his research include the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the USDA, the FDA and DARPA.

Medicinal Chemistry

Whiskey

Intellectual Property & Patent Management

Expert Witness

Interdisciplinary Education

Entrepreneurship Ed

Science Education

Higher Education

Higher Education Administration

Organic and Polymer Chemistry

Rudimentary Spanish

Texas Christian University Profile

Personal Website

ResearchGate Profile

TCU IdeaFactory 

Spirited Science

Dance Leads to Therapeutic Potential

Teaching whiskey to college students

Not So Neat: Why You Should Add Water to Your Whiskey

In Memoriam: 'Lucky' The Mystical Albino Squirrel At The University Of North Texas, Dies

Whiskey lectures

None active

Current support available upon request

Robert A. Welch Chair of Chemistry

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs
Episode 228. Erick Simanek – Robert A. Welch Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas Christian University (TCU) & Director of the TCU IdeaFactory
Interviewed 09-28-2017
https://moxietalk.com/episodes/erick-simanek/

ABOUT ERICK SIMANEK

Growing up in central Illinois, Eric Simanek was surrounded by corn destined for feed or alcohol. He holds degrees in chemistry from the University of Illinois and Harvard University and is the Robert A. Welch Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas Christian University (TCU) and Director of the TCU IdeaFactory. When he is not in a classroom or lab, he enjoys sharing his love of science with all ages and sharing whiskey with good friends.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please visit:
https://moxietalk.com/episodes/erick-simanek/

ABOUT MOXIETALK WITH KIRT JACOBS

MoxieTalk's mission is to inspire, educate and engage the human spirit one guest at a time.

MoxieTalk, where we give you an intimate look into the courage, character, and defining moments of today’s most inspiring individuals.

MoxieTalk began as Leadership Landscape TV, an interview talk show to showcase the vision and influence of leaders and role models from all walks of life.

Today, MoxieTalk is a multimedia platform that continues this unique and intimate format on a national scale.

MOXIE: force of character, determination, nerve and ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Website - https://moxietalk.com/
Blog - https://moxietalk.com/blog/
Podcasts - https://moxietalk.com/podcast/
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Episode 228. Erick Simanek – Director of the TCU IdeaFactory - MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs

See how Dr. Eric Simanek, professor of chemistry, is engaging TCU students in cancer research.

TCU's Teacher/Scholar Model At Work

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