A native of Des Moines, Martha Graham James was born to John G. and Barbara (Hornaday) Graham, the oldest of their three daughters. She attended Des Moines public schools and graduated from Roosevelt High School. From the University of Colorado, Boulder, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 1968. Soon after earning a Master of Science degree in Biology from Drake University in 1985, Martha entered the Department of Genetics at Iowa State University. A Doctor of Philosophy degree was awarded in 1989 for her original contributions to the field of maize genetics. Between 1989 and 1992, she conducted research as a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Iowa State University, working with Dr. Alan M. Myers.
Beginning in 1993, Martha was an Associate Scientist in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Iowa State University. This research centered on the characterization of the maize gene, Sugary 1, a gene that acts in the metabolism of starch and is one of the genes responsible for “making sweet corn sweet.” Overall, her research provided a clearer understanding of the processes of starch biosynthesis.
Martha’s work was supported by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and she is the author of several articles published in leading scientific journals.
Martha has been active in many organizations including Iowa Children’s and Family Services, Tiny Tots, Inc., YMCA Youth Home Board, the Young Women’s Resource Center, Junior League of Des Moines, Parent Teacher Associations, and activities of Plymouth Congregational Church of Christ.