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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


Population 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 Link to item Cite

Reconsidering the blood-brain barrier: histopathology and microanatomy of cryptococcal CNS infection.

Journal Article Microbiol Mol Biol Rev · December 18, 2025 SUMMARYMeningoencephalitis is the most severe form of cryptococcal infection. Pathogenic cryptococcal species enter the body primarily via the respiratory system. The central nervous system (CNS) is by far the most common site of cryptococcal dissemination ... Full text Link to item 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

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Cessation Training

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services · 2025 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


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