James Mason Bower (born February 17, 1954) is an American neuroscientist and CEO and chairman of the Board of Numedeon Inc., creator of the Whyville.net educational virtual world.

[6] Bower's former students are now found in scientific institutions around the world [7] He has also been involved in numerous science infrastructure efforts, including establishing and maintaining the GENESIS (software) simulation system.

[9] Bower has been involved in educational reform efforts since he was President of the Teen League of Rochester (NY) as a high school student from 1970 - 1971.

[15] Bower is CEO and chairman of the Board of Numedeon Inc. a company he founded in 1998 to develop educationally related virtual worlds.

The company's flagship effort, Whyville.net is now one of the largest education sites for young adults on the World Wide Web, with a player base of more than 7 million in 2006.