Jim Watson (biologist)

Jim Watson
CNZM
Jim Watson CNZM
Born	1943; Te Teko, New Zealand
Died	13 February 2017 (aged 73); Auckland, New Zealand
Alma mater	University of Auckland
	Scientific career
Thesis	Ribonucleic acids in relation to growth (1967)

James Douglas Watson CNZM (1943 – 13 February 2017) was a New Zealand biotechnologist and entrepreneur.

Biography

After growing up in Te Teko in the Bay of Plenty, Watson completed a Master of Science degree^[1] and then a PhD^[2] at the University of Auckland. He then moved to California, working at the Syntex Corporation, Palo Alto and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, and then to Department of Microbiology at the University of California. He returned to the University of Auckland as professor of microbiology.^[3] Notable students of Watson's include immunologist Graham Le Gros.^[4]

In 1994, Watson established Genesis Research and Development, an NZX-listed, now defunct, biotechnology company based in Auckland.^[5]

After a being diagnosed with prostate cancer, he founded Caldera Health with Richard Forster (who was also diagnosed with the cancer) to focus specifically on the disease.^[6]^[7]

Watson served as president of the Royal Society of New Zealand between 2004 and 2006;^[3] he was preceded in that role by Gil Simpson and followed by Neville Jordan.^[8] In the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours, Watson was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to scientific and medical research.^[9]

Watson died on 13 February 2017 from prostate cancer, aged 73.^[10]

^ "Studies on the role of ribonucleic acids in the photoperiodic response – The University of Auckland". Librarysearch.auckland.ac.nz. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
^ "Ribonucleic acids in relation to growth – The University of Auckland". Librarysearch.auckland.ac.nz. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Dr James Watson Elected President of the RSNZ | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 14 March 2003. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
^ Le Gros, Graham (1987). Role of interleukin 2 and interleukin 3 in haemopoiesis (Doctoral thesis). ResearchSpace@Auckland, University of Auckland. hdl:2292/3221.
^ "Alumni – Genesis Research and Development Corp". Genesis.co.nz. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
^ "About". Caldera Health. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
^ "Caldera founder Jim Watson dies as investors renew support for gene test | The National Business Review". Nbr.co.nz. 16 February 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
^ "Royal Society Te Aparangi – Presidents". Royalsociety.org.nz. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2006". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
^ "James Douglas (Jim) Watson". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 29 August 2017.

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