Cheryl D. Davis, PhD

University Distinguished Professor
Department of Biology
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101

(270) 745-6524 (w) (270) 745-6856 (fax)

cheryl.davis@wku.edu

 

Davis Lab - Spring 2008

Research Interests:

Immunobiology of host/parasite interactions

Tick-borne and parasitic disease surveillance

 

Current Research Projects:

  • Biological and molecular characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi isolated from wild trapped raccoons and opossums
  • Surveillance of tick-borne pathogens in Kentucky (Lyme, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis)
  • Determining the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi and other vector-borne pathogens in Kentucky canines
  • Determining the impact of antioxidant supplementation on gene expression in a mouse model of toxoplasmosis through microarray analysis

Parasite IMAGES

  • Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii in mammalian cells.
    images
    Videos

Trypanosoma cruzi Toxoplasma gondii

Trypanosoma cruzi (1) and Toxoplasma gondii (4) in mammalian cell culture

 

Intracellular Tachyzoite stages of Toxoplasma gondii - Indirect Immunofluorescence

 

Courses:

  • Biological Concepts Laboratory - Faculty Supervisor
  • Biological Concepts I, Bio120
  • Immunology, Bio 328
  • Parasitology, Biol 460 / 460G
  • Advanced Immunology, Bio 570

Professional Service:

  • Member of Western Kentucky University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
  • WKU Lead Faculty Representative for Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (KBRIN)
    • KBRIN/INBRE Website
  • Advisor (Pre-Medical) (PreDental) (PreOptometry) (PrePodiatric)
  • Vice President (Kentucky Academy of Sciences) (KAS)
  • Past President (Southeastern Society of Parasitologists) (SSP)
  • Chair of Ashton Cuckler New Investigator Awards Committee: American Society of Parasitologists
    •
Graduate Student Research Projects:
  • Shrikant Pawar - Determining the impact of antioxidant supplementation on gene expression in the brains of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii (Bioinformatic analysis of microarray data)

Recent Masters Theses:

Lipeng Bi. 2010. Molecular Analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi Isolates Obtained from Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Warren and Barren Counties of Kentucky

Kristina Tackett. 2009. The Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, in Tick Species Collected from Raccoons (Procyon lotor) and Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) Trapped in the Warren and Barren Counties of South Central Kentucky.


Sanjay Varikuti. 2009. Role of CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Lymphocytes in Experimental Toxoplasmosis


Chad Groce. 2008. Trypanosoma cruzi in Wild Raccoons and Opossums from Kentucky.

Vipula Petluru. 2007. Quantification of nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase in a murine model of experimental toxoplasmosis.

 

Selected Publications:

Blizzard, Emily, Cheryl D. Davis, Scott Henke, David B. Long, Christopher A. Hall and Michael J. Yabsley. 2010. Distribution, Prevalence, and Genetic Characterization of Baylisascaris procyonis in Selected Areas of Georgia. Journal of Parasitology Vol. 96, No. 6, pp. 1128-1133.

Davis, Cheryl and Nancy A. Rice.  2008.  Another can of bull:  Do energy drinks really provide a source of energy? (Clicker Case Study).  National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science http://www.sciencecases.org/energy_drinks_clicker/prelude.asp .

Ming, Zhijun, and Cheryl D. Davis. 2003. CD8+ T Lymphocytes Required for Enhanced Survival of Trypanosoma cruzi-Infected Mice at Elevated Environmental Temperature. Journal of Parasitology 89(3): 630-632.

McCarthy, Susan M., and Cheryl D. Davis. 2003. Pro-oxidant diet provides protection during murine infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Journal of Parasitology 89(5):886-94.

Davis, C.D., L. Brooks, C. Calisi, B. J. Bennett, and D. M. McElroy. 1998. Beneficial effect of selenium supplementation during murine infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Journal of Parasitology 84(6): 1274-1277.

Arif, A, L. Gao, C.D. Davis and D. Helm. 1999. Antibody response to heat shock proteins of Trypansoma cruzi and histopathology in mice maintained at elevated environmental temperature. Journal of Parasitology 85(6):1089-1099.

 

 

Comments or questions on the format of this page should be directed to Cheryl.Davis@wku.edu


Last Modified: August 9, 2011