Rate My Professor Stephen Sieck

Stephen Sieck is the Faculty Chair of the Chemistry Department at Grinnell College, holding the rank of Professor of Chemistry. Previously recognized as Associate Professor of Chemistry, he has played a pivotal role in the department and the interdisciplinary Biological Chemistry program, where he has been listed among key faculty members. His tenure at Grinnell College spans over a decade, as evidenced by his involvement in departmental catalogs since at least 2007 and active participation in faculty activities, including serving as search chair for assistant professor positions in organic or biochemistry.

Sieck's research specializations center on organic chemistry, with a focus on synthetic applications of bioactive organic molecules and organic compounds serving as precursors for medicinal drugs. He has mentored numerous undergraduate researchers, leading to significant student achievements and presentations. For instance, Minu Bidzimou, a chemistry major in his lab, received the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship in 2017 for her work on organic synthesis. Other mentees include Jennifer Fulton, whom he advised academically and in research, predicting her success as an organic chemist; Stephanie Spahr, who discussed failed experiments and successes in organic chemistry; and summer 2018 researchers Stephanie, William, Jacob, and Abigail, whose projects explored synthetic applications of bioactive organic molecules. Earlier, in 2010, James Phelen under his supervision earned the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship for investigating N-acyl nitrones and their application in isoxazolidine synthesis. Students from his group have presented at American Chemical Society conferences on topics including microwave synthesis of α-substituted pyridones, ring closing metathesis, and diversification studies of thiol-phosphonamidates. Sieck has contributed as co-principal investigator to NSF Major Research Instrumentation grants, such as the 2011 award for a benchtop X-ray diffractometer to enhance X-ray crystallography in undergraduate organic research and the 2022 grant for a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer to support departmental research efforts. His dedication to undergraduate research and education has prepared students for success in top graduate programs.