Jan Simek Author & Editor

L.G. “Skip” Wade—After receiving his B.A. from Ricein 1969, Wade went on to Harvard University, where he did research withProfessor James D. White. While at Harvard, he served as the Head TeachingFellow for the organic laboratories and was strongly influenced by the teachingmethods of two master educators, Professors Leonard K. Nash and Frank H.Westheimer. After completing his Ph.D. at Harvard in 1974, Dr. Wade joined thechemistry faculty at Colorado State University. Over the course of fifteenyears at Colorado State, Dr. Wade taught organic chemistry to thousands ofstudents working toward careers in all areas of biology, chemistry, humanmedicine, veterinary medicine, and environmental studies. He also authoredresearch papers in organic synthesis and in chemical education, as well as elevenbooks reviewing current research in organic synthesis. Since 1989, Dr. Wade hasbeen a chemistry professor at Whitman College, where he teaches organicchemistry and pursues interests in organic synthesis and forensic chemistry.Dr. Wade received the A.E. Lange Award for Distinguished Science Teaching atWhitman in 1993.   Jan Simek was born to humble coal-miningparents who taught him to appreciate the importance of carbon at a very earlyage. At age 14, he was inspired to pursue a career teaching chemistry by hishigh school chemistry teacher, Joe Plaskas. Under the guidance of ProfessorKurt Kaufman at Kalamazoo College, Dr. Simek began lab work in synthesis ofnatural products that turned into research in hop extracts for the KalamazooSpice Extraction Company. After receiving a master’s degree from StanfordUniversity, Dr. Simek worked in the pharmaceutical industry, synthesizingcompounds designed to control diabetes and atherosclerosis, and assisted in theisolation of anti-cancer antibiotics from natural sources. Returning toStanford University, Dr. Simek completed his Ph.D. with the legendary ProfessorCarl Djerassi, who developed the first synthesis of steroidal oralcontraceptives.   Dr. Simek’s 35-year teaching careerwas spent primarily at California Polytechnic State University, San LuisObispo, where he received the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award. Otherteaching experiences include Albion College, the University of Colorado atBoulder, Kalamazoo College, and the University of California at Berkeley. Inaddition to his pharmaceutical research, he has industrial experienceinvestigating dyes, surfactants, and liquid crystals, and he continues toconsult for the biotechnology industry.   Although his outside interestsinclude free climbing in Yosemite, performing in a reggae band, and parasailingover the Pacific, as close as he gets to any of those is tending his backyardgarden with his wife Judy.