In Memoriam: Davies, Julian Edmund
(1932-2025)
Julian Davies, internationally-renowned microbiologist widely recognized for his research on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, and President of the American Society for Microbiology (2000), passed away on Feb. 2, 2025, in White Rock (near Vancouver) British Columbia, Canada, at the age of 93.
At the time of his death Davies was professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, where he served as professor since 1992, head of the department of microbiology and immunology from 1992-1997 and Director of the Life Sciences Institute from 2006-2011.
Davies started his illustrious career in science as an organic chemist with an interest in natural products and began microbiology research on the mode of action of streptomycin with Bernard Davis at Harvard Medical School in 1962. François Jacob invited Davies to join his lab at the Pasteur Institute in 1965, where he was introduced to bacterial genetics via mapping of lac operon mutations using phage transduction. In 1967, Davies joined the faculty of the Biochemistry Department at the University of Wisconsin, where he developed a research program on antibiotic mechanisms of action and resistance in bacteria and yeast and contributed to the discovery of Geneticin (G418) as a eukaryotic genetic selective agent.
In 1980, Davies accepted the position of Scientific Director at Biogen in Geneva, Switzerland and, in 1985, moved back to the Pasteur Institute, this time in the newly formed biotechnology department. Then, in 1992, he joined the University of British Columbia, where he remained until his death on Feb. 2, 2025. Davies continued work on antibiotics even after transition to professor emeritus, always alert to novel possibilities of new approaches, such as a natural clay mineral with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. He was also strongly in opposition to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, potentially leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Among his many awards and accolades were fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology, election as a fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Canada, international member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, ASM Lifetime Achievement Award (2013), the Microbiology Society Prize Medal (2012), and several honorary doctorates from universities from around the world. He was a long-time member of ASM, and was a past president of ASM (2000).
During his career, Davies inspired many friends, colleagues and students with his infectious enthusiasm, creativity, cheerful nature and optimism. He published over 700 papers and several books that represent his legacy as a world-renowned researcher who introduced and developed important concepts in the field of microbiology.
Obituary Written and Submitted By:
Charles Thompson and J.T. (Thomas) Beatty
At the time of his death Davies was professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, where he served as professor since 1992, head of the department of microbiology and immunology from 1992-1997 and Director of the Life Sciences Institute from 2006-2011.
Davies started his illustrious career in science as an organic chemist with an interest in natural products and began microbiology research on the mode of action of streptomycin with Bernard Davis at Harvard Medical School in 1962. François Jacob invited Davies to join his lab at the Pasteur Institute in 1965, where he was introduced to bacterial genetics via mapping of lac operon mutations using phage transduction. In 1967, Davies joined the faculty of the Biochemistry Department at the University of Wisconsin, where he developed a research program on antibiotic mechanisms of action and resistance in bacteria and yeast and contributed to the discovery of Geneticin (G418) as a eukaryotic genetic selective agent.
In 1980, Davies accepted the position of Scientific Director at Biogen in Geneva, Switzerland and, in 1985, moved back to the Pasteur Institute, this time in the newly formed biotechnology department. Then, in 1992, he joined the University of British Columbia, where he remained until his death on Feb. 2, 2025. Davies continued work on antibiotics even after transition to professor emeritus, always alert to novel possibilities of new approaches, such as a natural clay mineral with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. He was also strongly in opposition to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, potentially leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Among his many awards and accolades were fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology, election as a fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Canada, international member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, ASM Lifetime Achievement Award (2013), the Microbiology Society Prize Medal (2012), and several honorary doctorates from universities from around the world. He was a long-time member of ASM, and was a past president of ASM (2000).
During his career, Davies inspired many friends, colleagues and students with his infectious enthusiasm, creativity, cheerful nature and optimism. He published over 700 papers and several books that represent his legacy as a world-renowned researcher who introduced and developed important concepts in the field of microbiology.
Obituary Written and Submitted By:
Charles Thompson and J.T. (Thomas) Beatty