James M. Thompson is emeritus professor at the Department of Chemistry and former chair of the Department of Natural and Physical Sciences at Alabama A&M University. He taught organic chemistry and instrumental methods for many years at the university. He received his PhD in 1975 from the University of Delaware under the supervision of Dr. Richard F. Heck (recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2010). Prof. Thompson's research interests are in organic chemistry, use of mass spectra, infrared spectra, C-13 and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, and structural determination of organic compounds. He performed research for NASA in the area of thermal gravimetric analysis for about 15 years and is a recipient of more than 50 awards and recognitions.
