Ronald Davis

Ronald Davis, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Neuroscience Department at University of Florida, where he leads the SR-NEURO-DAVIS LAB. Previously, he served as Chairman of Neuroscience at Scripps Research (2009-2017) and held various professorial positions at Baylor College of Medicine. His research spans both basic and translational neuroscience, with a focus on memory formation, forgetting mechanisms, and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.

His educational background includes:

• Postdoctoral in Molecular Biology (1982) from California Institute of Technology
• Ph.D. in Genetics (1979) from University of California, Davis
• Master's of Science in Genetics (1975) from University of California, Davis
• Bachelor's of Science in Zoology (1974) from Brigham Young University

Dr. Davis's research focuses on two main areas: 1) developing mitochondrial therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and ALS, and 2) uncovering the brain mechanisms that lead to forgetting. His lab uses Drosophila as a model organism to genetically dissect memory formation processes and has made significant discoveries about active forgetting mechanisms involving dopamine signaling. His work demonstrates how mitochondria serve neurons in critical ways and how their dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative disorders.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on memory suppression, forgetting mechanisms, and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. The work spans from basic molecular mechanisms in Drosophila to translational research using human iPSC-derived neurons. Key themes include dopamine-based forgetting circuits, mitochondrial therapeutics, memory suppressor genes, and microRNA regulation of memory processes, with significant contributions to understanding how the brain actively erases memories.

Dr. Davis currently leads multiple NIH-funded research projects:

• Mitochondrial therapeutics for healthy brain aging (NIA, 2022-2025)
• Biology of memory (NINDS, 2022-2025)
• Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Training Program (Community Foundation, 2023-2024)
• Neurobiological mechanisms for transient forgetting (NIMH, 2022)

He directs the SR-NEURO-DAVIS LAB at the University of Florida, which employs diverse techniques including genetic, molecular biological, cellular, neuroanatomical, functional imaging, genomic, behavioral, and high throughput screening approaches. His lab has made groundbreaking discoveries about active forgetting mechanisms, identifying specific dopamine neurons and molecular pathways responsible for memory deterioration. The lab's work bridges basic science discoveries with translational applications for treating cognitive disorders.