Alyx Frantzen

I began my academic journey at Texas Lutheran University, where I graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Mathematics and Chemistry in 1991. I then pursued further studies at New Mexico State University, earning an M.S. in Chemistry/Mathematics in 1996 and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 1998. My doctoral research, under the guidance of Dr. Antonio S. Lara and Dr. John W. Kenny, III, focused on “The Spectroscopic Effects of Intercalating Porphyrins into Layered Clays”.

In 1998, I joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Stephen F. Austin State University as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry. I was promoted to Associate Professor in 2004 and have been serving as a Professor since 2021.

Throughout my career, I have been an active member of the American Chemical Society, Clay Minerals Society, and Texas Academy of Science, where I have served as the Academic Director and Past President.

I have been recognized for my contributions to academia with several awards, including the Undergraduate Faculty Mentor in 2015, Spotlight Speaker in 2008, Teaching Excellence in 2007, and Advisor of the Year in 2007 by the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society.

My research interests have been supported by numerous grants, enabling me to lead various projects ranging from the study of fermentation science to the analysis of clay cation exchange capacity.

I have also published several papers in esteemed journals and presented my work at various conferences. My publications include “Bringing the Dipole Moment Lab into the 21st Century” and “Initial Investigation of Seasonal Flammability of three Invasive East Texas Forest Understory Fuels using Thermogravimetric Analysis”.

To stay updated in my field, I have participated in continuing education programs such as the Online Instructor Certification Course at Stephen F. Austin State University and a training course on ICP/MS with ELAN and DRC Accessory by Perkin Elmer.