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James Davis CV

Associate Professor of Medicine
Medicine, General Internal Medicine
Office hours I see patients on Fridays 
Call 919-613-QUIT  
CV

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

In the News


Published October 15, 2019
Vaping: Crisis or Lost Opportunity?
Published July 25, 2017
Do Filtered Cigarettes Lower the Risk of Lung Cancer?
Published August 13, 2014
From the Tobacco Fields to the Lab: DCI Faculty Tests 'Now'-Center Approach to Quitting Smoking

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Recent Publications


Ada2 acts upstream of Pdr802 in regulating macrophage-enhanced virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Journal Article Microbiol Spectr · September 2, 2025 Cryptococcus is the leading cause of fungal meningitis in humans and a major source of mortality in people living with HIV. Infection starts in the lungs and results in meningoencephalitis after dissemination via the bloodstream. Alveolar macrophages are t ... Full text Link to item Cite

Association of Communication With Smoking Attitudes and Behaviors Among Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Screening: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Journal Article Chest Pulmonary · June 1, 2025 Background: Many patients who undergo lung cancer screening (LCS) actively use cigarettes. Research Question: What are the longitudinal, patient-reported smoking attitudes and behaviors across the LCS process in routine care settings, and are these smoking ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


DELFI - Investigating the Clinical Utility of DELFI L301 Evaluation of Lung Cancer Screening

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Delfi Diagnostics, Inc. · 2023 - 2028

CASCADE - Lung

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Delfi Diagnostics, Inc. · 2022 - 2027

Comprehensive Research Program Development and Aerosol Acceptability PIL & Technology Comprehension Study

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Predictably Human, Inc · 2021 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine · 1997 M.D.