Michael Davis

Michael Davis is a Professor/Endowed Chair in Physiological Sciences at Oklahoma State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, where he has been employed since July 2008. He leads the Comparative Exercise Physiology Lab and specializes in veterinary exercise physiology with a focus on canine and equine athletes.

• DVM from Texas A&M University (1984-1988)
• MS from Virginia Tech (1992-1995)
• PhD from Johns Hopkins University (1995-1999)

Dr. Davis's research focuses on exercise physiology, muscle metabolism, and respiratory physiology, particularly in working dogs and horses. His work examines how skeletal muscle adapts to intense exercise, with special interest in thermoregulation, mitochondrial function, and metabolic adaptations during endurance events. He has made significant contributions to understanding how hyperthermia and acidosis impact muscle function during exercise, and how athletic conditioning modifies these responses.

His publication record shows a strong emphasis on mitochondrial physiology, with numerous studies examining oxidative phosphorylation, ATP synthesis, and reactive oxygen species production under various exercise conditions. His work frequently employs canine and equine models to investigate fundamental physiological processes applicable to both veterinary and human medicine.

• Zoetis Award for Research Excellence (2016)

Dr. Davis has secured substantial research funding from diverse sources including the National Institutes of Health, Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, and multiple industry partners. His research program demonstrates strong collaborations across veterinary sports medicine, equine physiology, and canine performance science. He has served in leadership roles including as President of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.

He directs the Comparative Exercise Physiology Lab which focuses on mitochondrial function in athletic animals, metabolic adaptations to endurance exercise, and injury patterns in working dogs. The lab employs advanced techniques including high-resolution respirometry, fluorometry, and in vivo metabolic measurements to investigate exercise physiology in elite animal athletes.