James H. Dickerson is the Director of ASTM International’s ASCET Center of Excellence, having joined the organization in July 2025. In his role, James is responsible for accelerating private sector-driven U.S. engagement and capacity building in the development and implementation of international industry standards in critical and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, and microelectronics.
James has over 25 years of experience in research leadership of science and technology, nanotechnology, media relations, higher education, and non-profit management. After a postdoctoral research scientist position at Columbia University, working with Irving P. Herman, he joined Vanderbilt University as an assistant professor of physics. In 2011, he was promoted to associate professor of physics with tenure and associate professor of chemistry with tenure. Shortly thereafter, he became the assistant director for the Center for Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven National Laboratory, a US Department of Energy Nanoscale Science Research Center. There, he established partnerships with universities and Fortune 500 companies in renewable energy and nanoscience. In January 2017, he departed Brookhaven to join Consumer Reports, the independent, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, as their first chief scientific officer. In July 2025, he joined ASTM International.
James received a BA in physics from Amherst College in 1994 and earned his Ph.D. in condensed matter physics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 2002, working with Emilio E. Mendez. In 2025, he earned his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. James is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a member of the Electrochemical Society.
In 2019, James was named a Fellow of the American Physical Society for his longstanding contributions to physics diversity through mentoring, outreach, championing the APS Bridge Program, and helping launch the Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge model, as well as his leadership to assure quality science continues to underpin all of Consumer Reports’ product evaluations. His other honors include a National Science Foundation CAREER Award.
