Duke Flags Lowered: Neurophysiologist Wilkie Wilson Dies at Age 79

Wilkie Andrew Wilson Jr., an emeritus professor who explored topics ranging from the basic neurophysiology of individual neurons through learning and addiction in adolescent humans, died on March 4.
Wilson was born on October 26, 1944, in Sulphur, Louisiana and earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University in 1971. He then accepted a position as research scientist at the Durham Veterans Affairs Epilepsy Center. He maintained a long-term association with the Durham VAMC, reaching Research Career Scientist in 1988 and Emeritus status in 2011. In 1973 he added a tenure-track position as Medical Research Scientist in the Duke Medical Center in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, reaching Professor in 1991. In 2009 he transitioned to Professor of Prevention Sciences at Duke.
Among his achievements in a five-decade career, Dr. Wilson developed the electronics behind the single-electrode voltage clamp for use in electrophysiology. This innovation revolutionized electrophysiology, and to this day, his methods are used worldwide in thousands of laboratories.
A former graduate student said that his lab "had a unique and innovative atmosphere. A broad range of scientific ideas were welcomed and the creative process was promoted. He was intellectually generous and encouraged a sense of inclusiveness, rather than cut-throat competition, such that even those outside the lab were welcome to join projects or participate in problem-solving discussions. Work and laughter were not mutually exclusive. His generous spirit provided a rich soil in which a range of ideas and concepts grew - and will continue to live on for the many who knew him. "
Dr. Wilson published more than 110 peer-reviewed articles, including six in the journal Science and three in Nature. He co-authored three books, with Scott Schwartzwelder, Cindy Kuhn, Heather Wilson and Jeremy Foster, including the textbook “Buzzed: Straight Facts about the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy” published by W.W. Norton in 1989, which is now in its 5th edition.
Dr. Wilson also co-founded, with Kuhn and Swartrzwelder, a ninth grade health curriculum for use in public schools. This curriculum is now in use in all Wake County, NC public schools. He also spoke to student and faculty groups across the country about the dangers associated with casual use of medications and street drugs. Simultaneously, he worked as an expert witness in trials involving both prescription and street drugs, testifying in more than 100 cases in North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Maryland, California and Louisiana and others.
He Is survived by his wife, Linda Gene Broyles Wilson, daughters Leigh Heather Wilson and Stephanie Vincent Wilson and grandchildren Linda Vivianne Wilson and Wilkie Andrew Wilson III.
A memorial service will be held at Duke Memorial Methodist Church in Durham, North Carolina on Saturday March 23 at 4 pm. It will be followed by a celebration of the life of Wilkie Wilson at Cafe Parizade at 5:30 pm.