The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory (BME) is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael E. Davis, Ph.D. as its new associate chair for graduate studies. He succeeds Garrett Stanley, Ph.D., who was recently appointed to the Carol Ann and David D. Flanagan endowed professorship.

Davis, associate professor in both cardiology and biomedical engineering in the Coulter Department, also serves as director of the Emory+Children's Heart Research and Outcomes (HeRO) Center. His Center combines expertise from Emory, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Georgia Tech to develop the next generation of treatments for children with heart disease utilizing stem cell research, nanotechnology, and advanced imaging.

He received his Ph.D. in molecular and systems pharmacology at Emory University working on molecular regulation of eNOS expression by shear stress. From 2003-2006, he completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School (Brigham and Women's Hospital) working on cardiac tissue engineering with collaborators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He moved back to Emory in 2006 to join the faculty in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Division of Cardiology at the Emory University School of Medicine.

“I am thrilled that Mike Davis will be our new associate chair for graduate studies. He has done a phenomenal job as the director of graduate admissions, and he cares deeply about our graduate students,“ said Ravi Bellamkonda, chair of the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. “Garrett Stanley built a great foundation, with several innovative programs including professional development now incorporated into our graduate curriculum, and we are grateful for Garrett’s service. Mike’s appointment will enable greater integration of our graduate program across Georgia Tech and Emory.”

The Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory is ranked #2 in U.S. News & World Report’s latest ranking of the nation’s top graduate biomedical engineering programs.

“In addition to the world-class doctoral training that our students receive, program leadership is making professional development and career planning a priority. Because of this, the success of the Emory-Georgia Tech partnership in biomedical engineering can be seen in the innovative contributions that our graduates are making in a variety of professional sectors.  I have every confidence that Mike Davis will continue to build on the successes of this great program, and bring to the table his own unique and highly qualified perspective as we consider new opportunities and challenges,” said Lisa Tedesco, vice provost for academic affairs – graduate studies and dean of the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies.

The Coulter Department is a unique and flourishing public-private partnership between Emory University’s School of Medicine and Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering. More than 200 graduate students are enrolled in the biomedical engineering program which awarded 25 doctoral degrees last year. Interdisciplinary BME graduate programs include a M.D./Ph.D. dual degree program, bioengineering, bioinformatics, robotics, and computational science. A global biomedical engineering Ph.D. degree program between Peking University, Emory University, and Georgia Tech offers a unique means for U.S. and Chinese students to learn and work in a global economy and in global health settings

“I'm building upon the success of the previous associate chair, Garrett Stanley, in making our graduate program a unique learning experience that prepares our students for all career paths,” said Davis.

“We have an opportunity to not just be a national leader in graduate education, but a global leader—thanks to our growing international relationships and the stellar reputation of our faculty and leadership. I will keep Emory and Georgia Tech engaged with each other, as well as important partners such as Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to give current and prospective graduate students the best learning opportunity in the country.”

Media Contacts:

Walter Rich
Communications Manager
Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology