Biography
Dr. Davis is a trailblazing leader, scholar, and nationally recognized breast cancer researcher. Her research focuses on improving breast cancer survivorship outcomes among diverse populations using community-based participatory methods. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented widely.
As a long-standing Professor of Nursing at a comprehensive public Hispanic Serving Institution, Dr. Davis’s impact on undergraduate and graduate students is vast. She has taught thousands of students and mentored many first-generation students. She was the Founding Advisor of the Pan African STEM Society, an organization which enabled many students to enter top graduate programs.
Previously, as a senior campus leader, Dr. Davis served as Chair of the Faculty Senate and Executive Committee, promoting shared governance and championing policies for the betterment of faculty and subsequently students. At UC Irvine’s Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, she plans to build upon her survivorship research, and mentor and teach undergraduate and graduate students while exploring various andragogical approaches to teaching and learning.
Dr. Davis serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Hospital of San Bernardino and is on the Board of Directors for the National Caucus on Black Aging.
Research Interests
Black Diaspora, breast cancer, survivorship outcomes, breast cancer disparities, cardio-oncology, under resourced communities, healthcare disparities, biological predictors, psychosocial predictors, psychological functioning, Black families, stress, co-morbidity, health inequities, social determinants of health, long-term impact of Covid-19, cardio-oncology, and andragogical teaching and learning
Education
PhD, University of California Los Angeles
MN, University of California Los Angeles
BSN, Niagara University Lewiston NY
Honors and Awards
- 2025 California State Senate, Women of Distinction Honoree and finalist for Woman of the Year, 29th District
- 2020 American Association for Cancer Research Minority and Minority Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Award
- 2019 The Medical Education Committee and Physician’s Award for Outstanding Leadership as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Community Hospital of San Bernardino
- 2019 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Freedom Fund Award Health
- 2018 College of Natural Science Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient from Office of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
- 2018 American Association for Cancer Research Minority and Minority Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Award
- 2017 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
- 2016 Outstanding Alumni Award, Niagara University College of Nursing
- 2014 Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research
- 2013 American Association for Cancer Research Phi Beta Delta Honor Society
- 2009 University of California Pipeline Award, Office of the President, University of California
- 2008 University of California Pipeline Award, Office of the President, University of California
- 2007 California Endowment & American Academy of Colleges of Nursing Academic Fellowship Award
- 1991 Nurse Traineeship Award, University of California Los Angeles, School of Nursing
- 1990 Nurse Traineeship Award, University of California Los Angeles, School of Nursing
- 1990 Volunteer Award for Breast Health, American Cancer Society, Riverside County
- 1989 Nurse Scholar Award American Cancer Society
- 1986 Volunteer Award, for Breast Health, American Cancer Society, Erie County
- 1985 Volunteer Award for Breast Health, American Cancer Society, Erie County
- 1984 Volunteer Award for Breast Health, American Cancer Society, Erie County
