Overview
Dr. James Davis is a practicing physician of Internal Medicine, and serves as the Medical Director for Duke Center for Smoking Cessation, Director of the Duke Smoking Cessation Program and Co-Director of the Duke-UNC Tobacco Treatment Specialist Credentialing Program. His research focuses on development of new pharmaceutical treatments for smoking cessation. He is principal investigator on several trials including a study on “adaptive” smoking cessation and several trials on new medications for smoking cessation. The new medications leverage more novel neurobiological mechanisms - NMDA receptor antagonism, nicotinic receptor antagonism, which impact addiction-based learning and cue response. Additionally, Dr. Davis serves as co-investigator on trials on lung cancer screening, e-cigarettes, minor nicotine alkaloids, imaging trials, lung function trials and others. Dr. Davis leads the Duke Smoke-Free Policy Initiative, is co-author on a national tobacco dependence treatment guideline, and provides training in tobacco dependence treatment for the Duke School of Medicine, Duke Internal Medicine, Family Practice and Psychiatry residency programs.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of Medicine
·
2024 - Present
Medicine, General Internal Medicine,
Medicine
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2013 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Cardiovascular Risk Factors - Lifestyle Modifications.
Journal Article N Engl J Med · May 28, 2026 Full text Open Access Link to item CitePopulation reach, feasibility and acceptability of digital therapeutics for smoking cessation among people living with HIV: Results of the Quitting Matters pilot trial.
Journal Article Drug Alcohol Depend · February 1, 2026 INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is disproportionately prevalent among people living with HIV (PWH) and is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in this population. Reaching communities of PWH to facilitate smoking cessation is challenging. Digital ... Full text Open Access Link to item CiteCorrection to: Smoking reduction using electronic nicotine delivery systems in combination with nicotine skin patches.
Journal Article Psychopharmacology (Berl) · December 2025 Full text Open Access Link to item CiteRecent Grants
DELFI - Investigating the Clinical Utility of DELFI L301 Evaluation of Lung Cancer Screening
Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Delfi Diagnostics, Inc. · 2023 - 2028CASCADE - Lung
Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Delfi Diagnostics, Inc. · 2022 - 2027Preferences for Lung Cancer Therapies for Patients with Stage I-IIIB Lung Cancer
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by LUNGevity Foundation · 2024 - 2026View All Grants
Education
Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine ·
1997
M.D.
External Links
CV James Davis 2019 Video - Duke Smoking Cessation Program Duke Smoking Cessation Program Duke Medicine Profile Duke Cancer Institute Profile Smoking Cessation Interventions Duke Center for Smoking Cessation Duke-UNC Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program Duke Faculty Spotlight