James O. Davis

Abstract

James Othello Davis, MD, PhD, an outstanding scientist who made many exceptional contributions to the advancement of biomedical research in his lifetime, was born July 12, 1916 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and died September 28, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr Davis earned his undergraduate degree from Northeastern State Teacher's College in his home town, followed by receipt of a master's degree in zoology from the University of Missouri (MU) in Columbia in 1939. He continued his studies in what was becoming one of the most distinguished zoology departments in the country and was awarded his PhD in zoology in 1942. While pursuing his doctoral studies, he met and married Florilla Sides, who was also pursuing an advanced degree in zoology at the University of Missouri. She was his active, life-long partner until her death in 2006, and will be remembered by all who knew her as a highly intelligent, energetic, charming, and independent person whose life was inextricably intertwined with that of her husband. After completing his doctoral training, Dr Davis remained at the University of Missouri to finish a BS degree in medicine and then completed his MD degree at Washington University in St. Louis in 1945. Since the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had its early roots with Washington University, it is not surprising that Dr Davis began his independent research career with the NIH in Baltimore. He advanced quickly within an organization that has always been home …