udith A. James grew up junior year that she was selected Jon the family wheat farm as a Fleming Scholar at the outside of Pond Creek in Oklahoma Medical Research northcentral Oklahoma. A Foundation. Little did she know 昀椀fth-generation Oklahoman, she then the role OMRF would knew from an early age that she play later. James graduated OBU wanted to be a doctor. Engaged summa cum laude with honors. in a range of extracurricular Accepted at the University of PHO activities, James was an Oklahoma College of Medicine, T accomplished organist and pianist she became the 昀椀rst to complete O B Y in elementary school, a member the MD-PhD program, CREEL of 4-H, including induction to graduating with a medical degree M CF the 4-H Grant County Junior and PhD in Microbiology and ARLAND Hall of Fame, and cheered on the Immunology. Panthers at sporting events. While James remained on the | LIMERICK Following graduation from Health Sciences Center faculty, S Pond Creek-Hunter High she started her independent TUDIO School, James enrolled at research lab at OMRF. Blazing . Oklahoma Baptist University. It a trail from the start, early in was the summer following her her career she was presented the JUDITH A. JAMES Presidential Early Career Award POND CREEK for Scientists and Engineers—the only scientist from an Oklahoma institution to receive the award. She secured the single-largest National Institutes of Health grant ever awarded in Oklahoma, led through her Health Sciences Center position, for her forging of 29 statewide entities as the Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources. In its third renewal, the economic impact exceeds $300-million. For this and other e昀昀orts, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine—the only woman ever from an Oklahoma institution and the only current Oklahoman. Worldwide James presents Oklahoma-based research to provide for a greater under- standing of autoimmune diseases, Oklahoma Hall of Fame Member Jane Jayroe Gamble, left, presented Judith James for induction to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. PHOTO BY CREEL MCFARLAND | LIMERICK STUDIO. 22