James Duchamp

James Duchamp is the James Earl Copenhaver Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair at Emory & Henry College. He holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Yale University and a B.A. in Chemistry from Kalamazoo College, with additional study abroad at Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone.

His research focuses on synthesizing and characterizing nanomaterials, particularly endohedral metallofullerenes, with medical and technological applications. Notable collaborations include work with Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth University, yielding breakthroughs in MRI contrast agents and radiolabeled fullerene platforms. He has supervised students like Kerra Fletcher and Anthony Leonard in impactful studies published in Nature and Chemical Physics Letters.

• Teaches courses in General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Engineering Thermodynamics.
• Recipient of prestigious awards: 2009 Outstanding Faculty Award (Virginia) and 2011 Virginia Professor of the Year.
• Serves as a Fellow of the Virginia Academy of Sciences and member of the American Chemical Society.

His work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing student engagement through the Emory & Henry Chapter of the Student Affiliate of the American Chemistry Society. Ongoing projects include ACA-funded collaborations on endohedral metallofullerenes' medical applications and fullerene structural analysis.