Dr. Mark Davis

Associate Professor and Chair of Biology

Room 231A, Koch Center for Engineering and Science
812-488-6423
md7@evansville.edu

Specializations

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Virology
• Immunology
• Microbial Ecology

Education

• B.S. Biology (Education minor), St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA. 1988.
• M.S. Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 1993.
  • Thesis: Characterization of a Dissimilatory Iron-Reducing Bacterium by 16s rRNA Gene Sequencing. Adviser John Stolz.
• M.S. Molecular Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, 1995.
  • Adviser Dr. John Cronan.
• PhD Molecular Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, 1998.
  • Thesis: Characterization of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase from Escherichia coli: A Rate Limiting Enzyme in Fatty Acid Synthesis . Adviser Dr. John Cronan.

Courses Taught

• BIOL 100 Fundamentals of Biology
• BIOL 110 Clinical Microbiology
• BIOL 305 Microbial Ecology
• BIOL 399 Virology
• BIOL 430 Microbiology
• BIOL 442 Immunology
• ES 103 Fundamentals of Environmental Science

Research Interests

• Lipid Biosynthesis in Bacteria
• Biology Education
• Development of Adenovirus Detection Assays
• Bacteria and Musical Instruments – How many, what types, and how to disinfect properly

Grants and Awards

• Explorer Summer Program, University of Evansville, 2010.
  • Title: Sensitivity Testing of PCR Detection Assays for Adenoviruses 36 and 37. $4950.00.
• Deans’ Outstanding Teacher Award, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Evansville, 2014.
• Outstanding Innovation Award from City of Evansville Celebration of Leadership, 2022
  • Project: Design, Construction, and Testing of Air Filtration Units for Schools in the COVID Pandemic.

Recent Publications and Presentations

• Davis, M.S. 2016. Redefining the Paradigm: Faculty Models to Support Student Learning . Chapter Contributing Author.
• Davis, M.S. 2013. Developing Interest in Graduate Students by Increasing Interactions Between Undergraduate Students and Experienced Research Scientists. Presentation. American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• Lynch, I., Vibbert, J., Groulx, T., & M.S. Davis. 2012. The Identification and Prevention of Bacteria Present in Woodwind Instruments. Poster Presentation. MESCON. University of Evansville.
• McNeil, K. & M. S. Davis. 2010. Development of a More Sensitive and Time Efficient Detection Method for Human Adenovirus-36. National Conference for Undergraduate Research. University of Montana, Missoula, MO.