Dawn Davis

Dawn Davis is a tenured Professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Medicine. She serves as the Endocrinology Section Chief at the William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital and directs the UW-Madison Comprehensive Diabetes Center, fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Dr. Davis holds a B.S. from UW-Madison (1995), a Ph.D. in Pathology from the University of Chicago (2001), and an M.D. from the University of Chicago (2003). She completed residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Washington and a fellowship in Endocrinology at UW-Madison.

Her research focuses on pancreatic beta cell biology, investigating mechanisms of beta cell proliferation and apoptosis to identify therapeutic targets for diabetes. Key projects include studying FoxM1 and TCF19 transcription factors, cholecystokinin’s protective role, and GLP-1 signaling. She also explores clinical applications like post-bariatric hypoglycemia and diabetes prevention diets.

Dr. Davis has received awards including the Puestow Research Award, Dickie Award, and VA Senior Clinician Scientist Investigator Award. She advises students and collaborates with labs like Matthew Merrins’, Dudley Lamming’s, and Alan Attie’s.

Her lab’s work spans basic science (e.g., beta cell survival mechanisms) and clinical trials (e.g., low-BCAA diets). Past trainees include Joseph Blumer (PhD ’23) and Danielle Fontaine. She leads the Davis Lab, emphasizing translational research to combat diabetes complications.