James L. Thomas

James L. Thomas is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of New Mexico (UNM). He holds a PhD from Cornell University (1991) and specializes in biophysics and condensed matter physics, focusing on lipid membranes, ultrasound interactions, and molecular imprinting technologies. His research integrates optical and fluorescence techniques to study biological systems, including phospholipid layers, drug-delivery microbubbles, and protein dynamics.

Key research projects include studying lipid-monolayer coated microbubbles in ultrasound, repulsive membrane protein interactions, and capillary wave diffraction. Thomas has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, including notable alumni like Hung-Yin Lin (Professor at National University of Kaohsiung) and Kathrin Spendier (Assistant Professor at University of Colorado Colorado Springs). His lab, located in PAÍS 2230, collaborates on interdisciplinary projects such as nanomaterials for biomedical applications and biofuel systems.

Publications highlight advancements in molecularly imprinted polymers for biomarker detection (e.g., C-reactive protein, α-synuclein), ultrasound-mediated drug delivery, and nanotechnology-based sensors. His work bridges physics, chemistry, and biology, with applications in diagnostics, cancer therapy, and environmental monitoring.

Thomas’s educational contributions include leading undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing lab-based learning and interdisciplinary research. He has contributed to NSF-funded initiatives like the IGERT program on nanotechnology and cell biology.