October 12, 2018

Dr. Elizabeth Mayer-Davis

Dr. Beth Mayer-Davis

Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, PhD, Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor in nutrition and medicine and current chair of the nutrition department at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, was reappointed recently for a five-year term as nutrition chair.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve as chair of our nutrition department, where I am impressed and highly motivated on a daily basis by the deep dedication and incredible talent of our students, faculty and staff,” Mayer-Davis said.

Having focused her career on diabetes, including the epidemiology of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in children and adults, Mayer-Davis is principal investigator for the UNC site of SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth and serves as the national co-chairperson for this large multi-center study.

Her recent studies address nutritional factors that may improve prognosis for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and behavioral strategies to help youth with Type 1 diabetes better manage their disease. New work focuses on metabolic, clinical and behavioral challenges in weight management for individuals with Type 1 diabetes. As examples, a recent study in Pediatric Diabetes found that, for teens with Type 1 diabetes, lower socio-economic status is linked with higher rates of obesity, and a study published in JAMA Network Open discovered that black and Hispanic children with Type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of experiencing poorer glucose control over time, a finding showing that minority health disparities in patients with diabetes begins soon after diagnosis.

Mayer-Davis is active in the American Diabetes Association and was the 2011 President for Health Care and Education for the Association. She also serves as an appointee of President Obama on the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion and Integrative and Public Health.

“Beth Mayer-Davis has been an extraordinary leader for our powerhouse nutrition department – the best in the nation,” said Barbara K. Rimer, DrPH, dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor at the Gillings School. “Her vital support for academic innovation, her skill and commitment to working across the Gillings School and the University, and her track record of visionary leadership make Beth a superb chair.”

Mayer-Davis’ first term as chair began in 2013.


Share

Contact the Gillings School of Global Public Health communications team at sphcomm@listserv.unc.edu.

RELATED PAGES
CONTACT INFORMATION
Visit our communications and marketing team page.
Contact sphcomm@unc.edu with any media inquiries or general questions.

Communications and Marketing Office
125 Rosenau Hall
CB #7400
135 Dauer Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400