Dr. Davis received the 2023 Herbert Pardes Family Award for National Leadership in Advocacy for Research. This award recognizes Dr. Davis’ leadership in advocating for the power of research to change lives; her inspiring example as the quintessential researcher committed to furthering knowledge that improves the health of our communities; and as the mentor who has spurred the careers of many in her roles as professor and subsequently her 13-year tenure as Executive Vice President and Dean of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Dr. Davis began her career focusing on improving the lives of patients with cystic fibrosis, the most common fatal genetic disease. When she graduated from medical school, the average life expectancy for children with cystic fibrosis was one decade; today, with the development of small molecule therapies directed at the abnormal CFTR protein, life expectancy for these individuals is close to six decades. Much of this progress is due to the discovery and advocacy of Dr. Davis herself! Hear Dr. Davis in her own words talk about her meaningful work in this field and as Director of the Bernbaum Cystic Fibrosis Research Center at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Dr. Davis is currently Distinguished University Professor at Case Western Reserve University, where she has served on faculty for 40 years. Dr. Davis is the author of over 160 papers, has served on NIH Advisory Councils for NIDDK and NCATS and the NHLBI Board of Scientific Counselors. She is past president of the AFCR, Chair of Medical Section of the AAAS, and on the Board of Directors of Clinical Research Forum. She is an elected fellow of AAAS, a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Inventors. We are grateful that Dr. Davis continues to give of her time and wisdom to mentor faculty in our Network and to advance equity through the Center for Women in Academic Medicine and Science!