Her NIH and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation funded research focuses on detecting, tracking, and characterizing the progression of early pulmonary disease, specifically in young children with cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, or lung injury resulting from preterm birth. She also participates in research evaluating early therapeutics in cystic fibrosis. She is a highly renowned expert in the areas of infant and preschool pulmonary function testing, serving as the Director for the Infant and Preschool Spirometry Core Laboratory for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Therapeutic Development Network.
Dr. Davis’ research elucidates the early life determinants of disease trajectory in young children with cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, and respiratory impairment due to preterm birth. Her lab is also working on developing novel tools to assess early disease progression. The laboratory has specific expertise in the area of infant and preschool lung function testing as well as Chest CT imaging. A recent focus includes examining the impact of the developing early airway microbiome on lung disease as assessed through physiologic and imaging techniques. Dr. Davis’ lab is involved with several multicenter trials investigating novel endpoint measures for use in young children such as forced oscillation testing and the multiple breath washout maneuvers. The laboratory also participates in both industry and investigator-initiated studies of novel therapeutics for prevention and treatment of early airway disease. Mentoring is an important part of Dr. Davis’ laboratory; a number of trainees and junior investigators are part of the research team.
Dr. Davis’ clinical interests include cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia and the impact of preterm birth on lung disease. She is an expert in infant and preschool lung function testing. She has led international guideline development of lung function testing in young children.
