Jim’s current research involves pest insect interactions with host plants and natural enemies, characterization of surface (lipid) components involved in prey recognition, and characterization and function of lipids of pest and beneficial insects.

In 1971 Jim joined the Agricultural Chemistry Department at Washington State University, Pullman as an Assistant Professor conducting lipid metabolism research in plants and animals.  He joined ARS in 1976 as a Research Chemist in the Insect Genetics and Biochemistry Unit, Fargo and assumed the Research Leader position in 2004. Jim has authored or co-authored more than 80 scientific journal articles and conference proceedings, two chapters of a monograph and a book chapter.  He has gained national/international recognition for his contributions in the areas of lipid identification, and elucidation of the biosynthetic and metabolic pathways of surface lipid components for plants, animals and insects, and of insect uric acid excretion and storage mechanisms.  Jim was elected as a member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and is a current member of the Entomological Society of America.