Rate My Professor C. William Davis

C. William Davis is a Research Professor of Cell and Molecular Physiology in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He received a BA in Biology from San Francisco State University in 1969, an MA in Biology from the same institution in 1973, a PhD in Zoology from UNC Chapel Hill in 1978, and completed postdoctoral training in Cell Physiology at UNC Chapel Hill from 1978 to 1983. Davis began his faculty career at UNC School of Medicine as Assistant Professor of Physiology from 1983 to 1986, advanced to Associate Professor of Cell and Molecular Physiology and Medicine from 1986 to 2002, and has served as Professor of Cell and Molecular Physiology and Medicine since 2002. He directed the Video Microscopy/Imaging Core of the Cystic Fibrosis/Pulmonary Research and Treatment Center from 1985 to 2001 and has been co-director of the Michael Hooker Microscopy Facility since 2001.

Davis's research focuses on the physiology and pharmacology of airway goblet cells, including regulation of mucin secretion, purinergic signaling coupling ciliary activity and mucin release to mechanical stresses, and mucus abnormalities in cystic fibrosis airways disease. Key publications include 'Evidence for periciliary liquid layer depletion, not abnormal ion composition, in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis airways disease' (Cell, 1998), 'Regulated airway goblet cell mucin secretion' (Annual Review of Physiology, 2008, with B.F. Dickey), 'Coupling of airway ciliary activity and mucin secretion to mechanical stresses by purinergic signaling' (Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 2008, with E.R. Lazarowski), and 'Goblet cell degranulation in isolated canine tracheal epithelium: response to exogenous ATP, ADP, and adenosine' (American Journal of Physiology, 1992). He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and 12 book chapters and reviews on these topics. Davis received the Outstanding Contribution to the Medical Educational Development Program award from UNC School of Medicine in 1995 and 2003, as well as the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2001.