Joshua S Davis

Professor Joshua S Davis is an Infectious Diseases Physician and Clinical Trialist at the University of Newcastle's School of Medicine and Public Health. He holds a joint appointment as a Senior Principal Research Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University in the Global and Tropical Health department. Clinically, he serves as a Senior Staff Specialist in Infectious Diseases at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle and previously held a similar position at Royal Darwin Hospital.

Professor Davis completed his medical training with Honors at the University of Sydney (MBBS Hons) and earned his PhD from Charles Darwin University. His additional qualifications include a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H), Fellowship of the Royal Australasing College of Physicians (FRACP), and a Graduate Certificate in Population Health. He is an established and highly productive mid-career clinician scientist who has maintained approximately half-time commitment to research since completing his PhD in 2011, with the remainder dedicated to clinical work as a hospital specialist.

Professor Davis's research program focuses on clinical trials for severe infectious diseases, with particular expertise in Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, bone and joint infections, and severe sepsis. He is an experienced clinical triallist who has served as chief investigator in more than 10 completed and 5 ongoing randomized controlled trials. His work also addresses critical gaps in viral hepatitis management and Aboriginal Health, reflecting his commitment to addressing health disparities in Indigenous Australian communities. His publication record includes over 220 peer-reviewed papers with more than 14,300 citations and an h-index of 51.

Professor Davis has secured substantial research funding, currently serving as chief investigator on NHMRC/MRFF grants worth over $41 million, with total career NHMRC funding exceeding $52 million. His leadership extends to the broader infectious diseases community, having served as past president of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID). He has been recognized with prestigious awards including the NHMRC Research Excellence Award for Top Ranked CDF2 Application Nationally (2019) and the Fenner Award for Advanced Research in Infectious Diseases (2021).

As an educator, Professor Davis serves as course convener for EPID6470 Infectious Diseases Surveillance, an epidemiology and public health course focusing on monitoring, tracking, and responding to infectious diseases including pandemics, outbreaks, and seasonal infections. His research demonstrates a strong commitment to translating scientific findings into clinical practice, with particular emphasis on adaptive platform trials and improving outcomes for patients with complex infectious diseases.