Dr. James Donald Folds, PhD, a distinguished scientist, educator, and leader in academic pathology, passed away on December 22, 2025, at the age of 85. Dr. Folds played a pivotal role in shaping the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the UNC School of Medicine, where his influence continues to be felt through his leadership, scholarship, and enduring legacy.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, Dr. Folds earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and his Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology from the Medical College of Georgia. He completed postdoctoral training in immunology at Case Western Reserve University before joining the faculty at the UNC School of Medicine in 1969. Early in his career at UNC, he held appointments in the departments of Bacteriology and Immunology, and in 1975 held leadership positions as Director of Diagnostic Immunology Program and Associate Director of Clinical Microbiology Laboratories. Throughout his tenure at UNC, he became a key figure in the field of immunology and pathology.
In 1995, Dr. Folds was appointed Director of the McLendon Clinical Laboratories at UNC Hospitals during a significant period of growth and modernization for the department. Building on a strong foundation established by earlier departmental leaders, he helped strengthen the integration of clinical laboratory services with academic research and education. His leadership emphasized diagnostic excellence, innovation in laboratory medicine, and a commitment to advancing patient care through science.
As a full professor in the School of Medicine, Dr. Folds was internationally recognized for his work in clinical immunology. He authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and books, served on national boards and professional committees, and was widely respected for his scientific rigor and thoughtful leadership. In recognition of his contributions to the field, he received the Abbott Laboratories Award in Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology in 2000.
Dr. Folds’s impact on UNC was further honored in 2009 with the establishment of the James D. Folds Distinguished Professorship. This endowed professorship reflects his lifelong dedication to laboratory medicine and supports continued excellence in clinical microbiology research, education, and service at UNC.
“Dr. Folds’ impact on patient care is still felt today. As Director of McLendon Clinical Labs, he was responsible for recruiting Dr. John Schmitz (Immunogenetics) and Dr. Melissa Miller (Medical Microbiology), two of our department’s most productive clinical faculty, to UNC. Dr. Miller is honored to hold the distinguished professorship endowed in his name,” said Dr. Russell Broaddus, Chair of the department.
Dr. Folds’s legacy lives on through the department he helped shape, the professorship that bears his name, and the many individuals whose careers he influenced. His contributions to pathology, laboratory medicine, and the UNC community will continue to have a lasting impact for generations to come.