James T. Spencer is the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Distinguished Teaching Professor, a Fellow of the Syracuse University Center of Excellence, and Founding Executive Director of the Syracuse University Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute (FNSSI) at Syracuse University (SU) in Syracuse, New York, USA. Dr. Spencer has research interests in inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, materials chemistry and solid-state science, new sensor development, renewable energy systems (photovoltaic), and forensic science, and has taught various courses over the years including, most recently, on chemistry in the modern world, general chemistry, organometallic chemistry, forensic science and advanced forensic science, and scientific and career resources in forensic science. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Chancellor's Citation for Excellence, the highest award for SU faculty and staff, in recognition of outstanding achievement in teaching and scholarship. Dr. Spencer holds a B.A. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from SUNY Potsdam, and has been published widely in many professional and society journals. He has received the Chancellor's Citation for Excellence, the highest award recognition for SU faculty and staff in recognition of outstanding achievement in teaching, scholarship and creative work.