Living Unashamed: World-Renowned Chemist Dr. James Tour on Faith, Innovation, and Courage
Dr. James Tour, one of the world’s leading nanotechnologists and a bold follower of Christ, joins Faith in Healthcare host Dr. Mike Chupp for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of faith and science. A renowned synthetic organic chemist at Rice University, Dr. Tour has authored more than 800 publications, holds over 140 patents, and launched multiple startups. His pioneering work stretches from “flash graphene” that converts trash into valuable carbon and hydrogen fuel, to groundbreaking approaches in cancer treatment and guiding nerve regrowth after spinal cord injury.
Yet beyond the lab, Dr. Tour’s daily rhythm of Scripture and prayer over the past 47 years has fueled both his creativity and courage. In this episode, he shares how his walk with Christ shapes discovery, why the resurrection remains central to his witness, and his challenge to the next generation of academics and healthcare professionals to live and speak for Christ, even in environments that resist it, and even when it costs.
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To learn more about the wide range of resources we offer at CMDA to support you in your calling – from the CMDA GO! mobile app for community and event access, to nearly 400 online courses available through our Learning Center – visit us at cmda.org/learn. You’ll also find the Healthwise PSA radio library, a faith-based bookstore, the quarterly CMDA Today magazine, and the new The Point of Medicine forum, all designed to help you live out your faith with excellence and compassion throughout your professional journey.
To learn more about the wide range of resources we offer at CMDA to support you in your calling – from the CMDA GO! mobile app for community and event access, to nearly 400 online courses available through our Learning Center – visit us at cmda.org. You’ll also find the Healthwise PSA radio library, a faith-based bookstore, the quarterly CMDA Today magazine, and the new The Point of Medicine forum, all designed to help you live out your faith with excellence and compassion throughout your professional journey.
Upcoming CMDA Events
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Midwest Fall Conference
September 26–28, Maranatha Retreat Center, Lake Michigan
Join us for excellent teaching, CE credit, and refreshing fellowship on the shores of Lake Michigan. -
Northeast Regional Retreat
October 24–26, Sandy Cove Ministries, Maryland
A weekend of rest, renewal, and connection with other Christian healthcare professionals. CE credit is being offered. -
Saline Process Witness Training
November 1 – Toronto, Canada
November 5–6 – Louisville, KY
November 14–15 – Dallas–Fort Worth, TX
A 10-hour training that equips healthcare professionals with practical tools for integrating faith into patient care. Learn how to take a spiritual history, pray with patients, and foster real-time connections with God in the clinical setting.Explore the full lineup of CMDA events and register today at cmda.org/events.
CMDA honors the life and ministry of Dr. Doug Lindberg, who went to be with his Savior on August 30 after a battle with cancer. Doug faithfully equipped healthcare professionals and students to live fully surrendered to Christ through his work with the Center for Advancing Healthcare Missions, including Remedy Conferences, Pre-field Orientation, Capstone, Journal Club, and more.
We will miss his humor and heart, but his legacy lives on through the missionaries, students, and countless lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to continue Doug’s mission of sharing Christ’s love through medical care at the Center for Advancing Healthcare Missions: cmda.org/center-for-advancing-healthcare-missions.
Video Podcast:
Meet Our Guest(s):
James M. Tour, a synthetic organic chemist, received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Syracuse University, his Ph.D. in synthetic organic and organometallic chemistry from Purdue University, and postdoctoral training in synthetic organic chemistry at the University of Wisconsin and Stanford University. After spending 11 years on the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of South Carolina, he joined the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University in 1999 where he is presently the T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, Professor of Computer Science, and Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering. Tour’s scientific research areas include nanoelectronics, graphene electronics, silicon oxide electronics, carbon nanovectors for medical applications, environmental remediation, supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries, CO2 capture, water splitting to H2 and O2, water purification, carbon nanotube and graphene synthetic modifications, graphene oxide, carbon composites, hydrogen storage on nanoengineered carbon scaffolds, and synthesis of single-molecule nanomachines which includes molecular motors and nanocars.
He has also developed strategies for retarding chemical terrorist attacks. For pre-college education, Tour developed the NanoKids concept for K-12 education in nanoscale science, and also Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero science packages for elementary and middle school education: SciRave that later expanded to a Stemscopes-based SciRave. The SciRave program has risen to be the #1 most widely adopted program in Texas to complement science instruction, and was used by over 450 school districts and 40,000 teachers with almost 2 million student downloads.
