James Dewey Watson is an American molecular biologist, geneticist, and zoologist. In 1953, he co-authored with Francis Crick the academic paper proposing the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. Watson, Crick and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material". In subsequent years, it has been recognized that Watson and his colleagues did not properly attribute colleague Rosalind Franklin for her contributions to the discovery of the double helix structure.Watson earned degrees at the University of Chicago (BS, 1947) and Indiana University (PhD, 1950). Following a post-doctoral year at the University of Copenhagen with Herman Kalckar and Ole Maaløe, Watson worked at the University of Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory in England, where he first met his future collaborator Francis Crick. From 1956 to 1976, Watson was on the faculty of the Harvard University Biology Department, promoting research in molecular biology.
From 1968 Watson served as director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), greatly expanding its level of funding and research. At CSHL, he shifted his research emphasis to the study of cancer, along with making it a world-leading research center in molecular biology. In 1994, he started as president and served for 10 years. He was then appointed chancellor, serving until he resigned in 2007 after making comments claiming that there is a genetic link between intelligence and race. In 2019, following the broadcast of a documentary in which Watson reiterated these views on race and genetics, CSHL revoked his honorary titles and severed all ties with him.
Watson has written many science books, including the textbook Molecular Biology of the Gene (1965) and his bestselling book The Double Helix (1968). Between 1988 and 1992, Watson was associated with the National Institutes of Health, helping to establish the Human Genome Project, which completed the task of mapping the human genome in 2003.
Sol turns thousands of years of human wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions into a totally unique personality profile. To get your own profile, check compatibility with friends and much more, download the Sol App today.
Some of their strengths
James Watson has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Generous, Intelligent, Practical, Intellectual, Energetic, Inquisitive, and Optimistic.
Independent and Brave
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, James Watson is someone who is an independent, brave, and honest person who approaches life with energy, intuition, passion, and generosity. A person who seems to identify with family, heritage and ancestry.
Passionate and Intense
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know James Watson well know them as someone who can be passionate, proud, and intense, like the sun or a blazing fire.
Optimistic and Frank
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe James Watson as someone who is optimistic, principled, adventurous, and direct.
A person who isn't shy about expressing their opinions, loves competition, loves learning things themself, who is known for being inventive and original, and who loves being surrounded by friends and loved ones.
Exacting and Achievement-oriented
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, James Watson is someone who has very high expectations for people, and who can be extremely focused on achieving goals and objectives.
They are also someone who is calm, comforting, and stable, and who loves stability and being a good friend and loyal partner.
Independent and Dynamic
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, James Watson tends to be someone who is independent, dynamic, and courageous. Who can be positive, energetic, self-reliant, and adventurous, and who can make friends easily.
Some of James Watson's challenges
While James Watson has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, James Watson can be Impulsive, Stubborn, Short-tempered, Hesitant, Narcissistic, Suspicious, and Pushy.
Short-tempered and Impulsive
One of James Watson's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as short-tempered and impulsive.
Pushy and Restless
James Watson is someone who can be arrogant and bossy, who can have difficulty concentrating and focusing, be unable to separate emotions from business decisions, and who can engage in excessive spending in support of an expensive lifestyle and habits.
Aggressive and Domineering
Finally, James Watson also can be aggressive, impatient, impulsive, and short-tempered.
