More Information about James S. Evans

Personal profile

Sometimes I am asked how a chemist also gets involved in computing. In my case, it went like this.... A graduate student in 1962-66 at Princeton needed to analyze research data and do curve-fitting, before software like Kaleidagraph could be purchased, and thus learned FORTRAN. A new teacher in 1966 pleasantly found that an IBM 1620, which produced Lawrence University’s paychecks or alumni mailing labels in the mornings, was available in the afternoons for undergraduates. Those students saw how analysis of laboratory data collected by a whole class could be more instructive than a sterile comparison of the individual’s result with some “standard answer.” A more experienced teacher returned from a first sabbatical with some knowledge of laboratory computing, digital logic, modification of an interpreter for the new language BASIC, and simulation of NMR spectra. Moreover, the intrigue of applying computers to things besides numerical work or signal processing led to writing a text formatting program, while a colleague in physics was writing a plotting package. Contemporaneously, he and I directed a large multi-year project funded by the National Science Foundation (1978-1982) that reestablished Lawrence’s institutional momentum in computing and led soon thereafter to the introduction of full-credit computer science courses.

Teaching profile

I joined the Lawrence University chemistry faculty in 1966. For many years I had primary responsibility for inorganic chemistry, secondary responsibility for physical chemistry, regular involvement with both a distinctive honors-level Principles of Physics and Chemistry sequence and standard introductory courses in chemistry, and participation in Freshman Studies. In 1979, I accepted a decreased teaching load when I assumed responsibilities as part-time Director of Computer Services. In 1993, when different staffing arrangements for chemistry became possible, my teaching responsibilities underwent further adjustment to concentrate at the advanced level of Lawrence’s computer science offerings. I had first become involved in computer-related teaching in 1975 through collaboration with physicists on a laboratory computing course for students having some experience with laboratory work in the sciences. In 2005 I changed again to a fuller teaching load with the addition of some new chemistry-related courses, up until emeritus status came in 2011.

Book-writing profile

Teaching computer architecture for many years has led to writing two books (see publication list) for programmers, one on Itanium architecture and its capabilities and a previous one on the Alpha architecture.

Research profile

My doctoral experience was in nuclear chemistry and physics, mentored by R.A. Naumann, Professor Emeritus in Chemistry and Physics at Princeton. My early research interests at Lawrence lay in the area of coordination chemistry. Another shift of interest occurred at the time of my second sabbatical in 1978, which also marked the first of numerous spans of 5-9 months devoted to research in England.

I have collaborated with Dr. B.A. Levine, formerly a colleague of Professor R.J.P. Williams at the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford; Dr. Levine is now in the School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham. Our joint publications have involved structural or protein-protein interaction studies of several proteins: calmodulin, osteocalcin, caldesmon, the insulin receptor, phospholamban, and components of the troponin complex. We also used our general understanding about protein structure to analyze the x-ray coordinates (determined by others) for the thymidine kinase from human Herpes simplex virus type I in relation to what is known about the biochemistry of mutations from the wild type molecule.

Administrative profile

For a number of years, I served as part-time Director of Computer Services. Then during a subsequent interval, under the nominal title of Director of Information Technology Planning, I served in an advisory capacity to the Dean of the Faculty, the Vice President for Business Affairs, and other departments and offices. With others, I helped Lawrence develop overall strategies for developments involving technology. This involved ex officio participation in numerous campus committees dealing with technology. During this same interval I assisted with the plans for technology-rich buildings, e.g., the science building complex and a new residence hall, as well with the renovation of several other existing buildings.

I also formerly served as Lawrence’s institutional representative to EDUCAUSE, WiscNet, and the Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges (CLAC). I served on the board of directors of WiscNet from its founding until 1994, again in 2000, and 2002-05. In addition, I served for a three-year term on the board of directors of CLAC with specific responsibility as chair of its vendor relations committee.


Revised: 25-Apr-2012
Comments: James.S.Evans@lawrence.edu