David Erik Thompson

Dr. David Erik Thompson serves as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry within the College of Science & Engineering Technology at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), where he has been a faculty member since 2009. His institutional roles include teaching General Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry courses while co-leading SHSU's STEM Center as a co-PI to enhance student success in gateway chemistry courses.

His educational background includes a Postdoctoral Research position in Physical Chemistry under Prof. Michael Fayer at Stanford University (1999-2002), a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (1998) supervised by Prof. John Wright, U.S. Peace Corps service as a Science Teacher in Juaso, Ghana (1988-2000), and a B.A. in Chemistry from Carleton College, Northfield MN (1988).

Thompson's primary research focuses on two critical areas: (1) investigating dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) as a potential intramuscular cyanide antidote through collaboration with Professor Ilona Petrikovics, yielding significant advances in antidote development; and (2) designing and testing novel apparatus and methodologies for sampling volatile analytes from complex matrices using headspace SERS detection. His work bridges analytical chemistry with practical medical applications, emphasizing undergraduate and graduate researcher training.

As a dedicated educator and researcher, Thompson actively contributes to SHSU's academic community through institutional leadership in the STEM Center and collaborative projects across disciplines, maintaining a strong commitment to student development in both classroom and laboratory settings.