Delmar Larsen

Delmar S. Larsen is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on ultrafast processes (femtosecond to nanosecond timescales) in photoreceptors and light-sensitizing proteins, exploring how photon absorption triggers biological functions. He employs multi-disciplinary approaches combining molecular biology, physical chemistry, and computational science to study reaction dynamics in proteins.

Education: Ph.D., University of Chicago/University of California, Berkeley (2001); B.S., University of Washington (1995). Before his faculty appointment at UC Davis (2005), he was a Research Associate at the University of Southern California (2004-2005) and the Free University of Amsterdam (2001-2004).

Research interests include biophysical chemistry, protein photochemistry, and ultrafast spectroscopy. His work addresses fundamental questions about how proteins modulate photoreactions, including kinetics, thermodynamics, and structural changes. He also leads initiatives in open educational resources (OER), such as the LibreTexts project, developing freely accessible STEM textbooks and collaborative learning tools.

Recent scientific contributions span OER innovation (e.g., ADAPT platform, LibreStudio) and photoreceptor studies in cyanobacteriochromes, phytochromes, and photoactive proteins. His research bridges basic science and educational technology, emphasizing accessibility and digital transformation in STEM education.

Labs/Teams: Head of the Larsen Lab at UC Davis, focusing on ultrafast protein dynamics and OER development. Collaborates widely with institutions like the Free University of Amsterdam and University of Southern California.