James Douglas Watson (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 and then a PhD 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. In 1994, Watson established Genesis Research and Development, an NZX-listed, now defunct, biotechnology company based in Auckland. 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. Watson served as president of the Royal Society of New Zealand between 2004 and 2006; he was preceded in that role by Gil Simpson and followed by Neville Jordan. 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. Watson died on 13 February 2017 from prostate cancer, aged 73. References External links Obiturary in the NZ Herald University of Auckland alumni University of Auckland faculty 1943 births 2017 deaths Deaths from prostate cancer New Zealand medical researchers New Zealand businesspeople People from the Bay of Plenty Region Presidents of the Royal Society of New Zealand Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit