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
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 CiteCorrection to: Smoking reduction using electronic nicotine delivery systems in combination with nicotine skin patches.
Journal Article Psychopharmacology (Berl) · July 30, 2025 Full text Link to item CiteAssociation 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 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 - 2027Comprehensive Research Program Development and Aerosol Acceptability PIL & Technology Comprehension Study
Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Predictably Human, Inc · 2021 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
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