Ian J. Davis

Ian J. Davis, MD, PhD is the Stuart H. Gold Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, serving as Chief of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Co-Leader of the UNC Lineberger Cancer Genetics Research Program, and Associate Director of the Cancer Epigenetics Training Program. He is a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center with cross-appointments in the Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics, and multiple interdisciplinary programs including the Program in Chromatin and Epigenetics.

Dr. Davis specializes in epigenetic and chromatin biology in cancer development, with primary research focus on Ewing sarcoma (studying the EWSR1-FLI1 fusion oncoprotein's chromatin regulation) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (investigating SETD2 and PBRM1 mutations). His lab employs genome-wide approaches integrating computational analytics with cellular and biochemical studies to explore chromatin dysregulation in cancer and develop epigenetic therapies.

His publication trends reveal concentrated expertise in transcriptional regulation in sarcomas (65% of recent work), chromatin remodeling in solid tumors (25%), and stem cell transplantation immunology (10%). Key emerging themes include fusion oncoprotein post-translational modifications, nuclear lamina-genome interactions, and endogenous retrovirus regulation in cancer immunity.

• Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund (The V Foundation, 2023)
• G. Denman Hammond Professorship for Childhood Cancer
• Martin D. Abeloff V Scholar Award
• Rita Allen Foundation Scholar

Dr. Davis leads collaborative research across UNC campus studying cancer epigenetics and developmental disorders through high-throughput sequencing approaches. His lab bridges basic chromatin research with drug discovery initiatives targeting epigenetic vulnerabilities in pediatric cancers. Current grants focus on EWSR1-FLI1 regulation mechanisms and SETD2/PBRM1 functional consequences in renal cancer.

The Davis Lab operates within the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, utilizing shared resources for genomics, bioinformatics, and preclinical modeling. The team collaborates extensively with researchers across Genetics, Pediatrics, and Bioinformatics departments to translate chromatin biology findings into therapeutic strategies for childhood cancers and renal carcinomas.