Jim Gray computer scientist and database expert

I crossed paths with Jim Gray while working at Tandem Computers which was acquired by Compaq and then by HP. My experience with relational databases goes back to a company called Britton Lee, Inc which developed the first hardware relational database and was eventually acquired by Teradata. I would attend Jim's lectures, which were always entertaining, when he was with Microsoft working on the astronomical database for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey which was made available online as the SkyServer. Jim was an early proponent of open science and had proposed that scientific discovery had transitioned into a new paradigm that he described as data intensive analysis or the Fourth Paradigm. The previous methods of scientific discovery were empirical (observations), theoretical (abstract models), and computational (simulations). But as the ability to run complex simulations increased the amount of data generated and collected, there was a need in all fields of science to organize the data in order to analyze the results. Jim chose to organize astronomical data because as he would joke it had absolutely no commercial value. His technique for organizing the astronomical data has been applied to other fields of science like biology, ecology, and cancer research and is still producing results today. Here is a recent article on the application of astronomical data structures for 3-D analysis of cancer cells to detect genetic effects of the treatment of cancer allowing the selection of certain therapies based on genetics. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9378428/

Jim Gray was disappeared in 2007 at the age of 63 years. A thoughtful remembrance of his contributions was held in Berkeley where he received his PhD in Computer Science. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/work-of-computer-genius-jim-gray-flourished-amid-research-freedom/

His theories were more fully described in a book edited by Tony Hey who worked with Jim at Microsoft called The Fourth Paradigm published a couple of years after his disappearance. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc31516/m2/1/high_res_d/4th_paradigm_book_complete_lr.pdf

Tony Hey published an update of the original after 10 years called The Fourth Paradigm 10 Years On which detailed the progress made and Jim's vision of sharing scientific data to advance science. https://d-nb.info/1209943417/34

Jim Gray worked for about 10 years on the astronomical database and in the process taught himself to be an astronomer. Highlighting the need for multi-discipline degrees in science or at least a degree in computer science along with the other scientific degree. His transition to astronomer is detailed in the article by his fellow astronomer who worked with Jim on the SkyServer Alexander S. Szalay titled Jim Gray, Astronomer. https://cacm.acm.org/research/jim-gray-astronomer/

Both Alexander S. Szalay and Tony Hey have recent lectures mentioning the contributions of Jim Gray to their work.

Prof. Dr. Alex Szalay, John Hopkins University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPLLxegfzuo

Tony Hey Closing Plenary: The Fourth Paradigm, Open Science and Artificial Intelligence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j4smPLq3VQ&t=487s

I could safely say Jim Gray was the most intelligent person I have known and never condescending adjusting to the level of his audience. His sudden disappearance was a shock to me and many who knew him. But his legacy and ideals will not be forgotten and will never disappear.