Pamela B. Davis, dean of the School of Medicine and the university’s senior vice president for medical affairs, was elected chair-elect of the Medical Sciences section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
AAAS, the world’s largest general scientific society, is an international nonprofit with 261 affiliated organizations, serving 10 million individuals. This proactive, probing Washington, D.C.-based group addresses science-related issues with global impact through magazine articles, op-eds, public statements, letters to Congress and newspaper and television interviews.
AAAS produces Science, a weekly peer-reviewed general science publication with more than one million readers. AAAS also publishes Science Translational Medicine and Science Signaling.
Davis, a renowned physician and medical researcher noted for her exceptional leadership skills, will assume a three-year term as a Medical Section leader starting in February. Her election was announced in Friday’s edition of Science.
Davis’ career has reflected the goals of AAAS—promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility and supporting scientific education and outreach.
“I’m honored to be elected, and feel confident that working with the AAAS will enhance my roles as an educator, dean and researcher,” said Davis, School of Medicine dean since 2007. “This position gives me a wonderful opportunity to fulfill my personal and professional commitment to keep medical science and scientific achievements and concerns front and center in our society.”
The Medical Sciences section is one of 24 AAAS committees focusing on a specific science-related concern. During her term, Davis will serve as chair-elect (2014-15), chair (2015-16) and retiring chair (2016-17). Although her responsibilities will vary slightly from year to year, Davis will attend and eventually preside at business meetings and planning sessions. She also will suggest and help arrange symposiums for the national meeting and nominate honorary fellows who have made key contributions in the Medical Sciences section. As retiring chair, Davis will also serve as a member of the AAAS Council and help nominate the next round of section leaders.
The 23 other AAAS sections address a range of concerns, from anthropology, computer science and statistics to human rights, astronomy and geology. In the past, AAAS has analyzed the federal research and development budget and, more recently, warned the scientific community about the impact a budget sequestration would have on research and development.
The 180th AAAS Annual Meeting in Chicago Feb. 13-19 will host thousands of the world’s leading scientists, engineers, educators, policy makers and journalists.
Davis holds the Arline H. and Curtis F. Garvin Research Professorship and is a professor of pediatrics, physiology and biophysics and molecular biology and microbiology at Case Western Reserve. She previously served as chief of the pediatric pulmonary division at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and director of the Willard A. Bernbaum Cystic Fibrosis Research Center at CWRU.
Davis has served on various boards and committees, including the Advisory Council to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the Scientific Counselors for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. She has received the Rosenthal Prize for Academic Pediatrics, the American Thoracic Society’s Elizabeth A. Rich Award and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Doris Tulcin Award. Davis holds seven patents and is a member of the Cleveland Medical Hall of Fame.