Duane Davis, professor of animal sciences and industry at Kansas State University, has made important contributions to the understanding of reproductive physiology. He co-discovered umbilical cord matrix stem cells in 2000.
Since the discovery at K-State, many other researchers around the world are studying the umbilical cord cells and at least seven other universities from the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia have published reports verifying their potential for biomedicine and biotechnology.
Davis' interest in stem cells builds on his career-long work with embryos and pregnancy. He and other team members Deryl Troyer, Mark Weiss and Jim Coffman have developed several new courses in stem-cell biology and soon plan to offer a certificate in stem-cell biology.
Davis is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, Society for the Study of Reproduction, and the American Society for the Advancement of Science.
Davis earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in animal science from K-State, and his doctorate in reproductive physiology from the University of Missouri. He joined the K-State faculty in 1977.
Davis can be reached at 785-532-1224 or via e-mail at davis@k-state.edu.