Biography

Jim Demas is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Virginia, specializing in luminescence with emphasis on application of metal complexes to sensors, especially in the environmental and biomedical areas. Dr. Demas received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of New Mexico in 1970, and has been a member of the faculty at the University of Virginia since 1971. He teaches Physical Chemistry Laboratory, an introduction to research seminar, and a graduate level course on luminescence. He heads chemistry’s undergraduate advising and runs the chemistry undergraduate research program. He is a fellow at Brown College where he regular shows and comments on movies. He has a third degree black belt in Taekwondo, and he skis, bikes, and loves movies, the Southwest, and photography.