Dr. Michael J. Davies is a distinguished professor and internationally recognized authority in oxidative biochemistry with pioneering contributions to understanding biological damage mechanisms. He currently serves as Professor of Oxidative Biology of Proteins at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, a position he has held since 2014 following his receipt of the prestigious Novo Nordisk Laureate Research Grant. Prior to his appointment in Copenhagen, Professor Davies held significant leadership roles at The Heart Research Institute in Sydney, Australia, serving as Director from 2012 to 2014, Acting Director from 2010 to 2012, and Deputy Director from 2001 to 2012. His career has been marked by prestigious fellowships from the Australian Research Council, including QE2 (1996-2000), Senior (2000-2004), and Professorial (2009-2013) distinctions, reflecting his sustained excellence in scientific research.
Professor Davies has pioneered groundbreaking research on the formation and subsequent reactions of oxidants and other reactive species with proteins, DNA, and carbohydrates, establishing fundamental principles for understanding oxidative damage in biological systems. His extensive scholarly contributions include 416 peer-reviewed journal articles, 1 book, 8 edited volumes, 28 book chapters, and 8 patents, with his work cited over 55,000 times according to Google Scholar. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of protein oxidation mechanisms and their implications for cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis, bridging basic science with potential clinical applications. The Novo Nordisk Laureate Research Grant awarded in 2014 and subsequently renewed in 2021 for an additional seven years underscores the continued significance and impact of his work in the field of oxidative biology.
Beyond his research achievements, Professor Davies has been instrumental in mentoring the next generation of scientists, successfully supervising 45 PhD students to completion and mentoring 29 post-doctoral researchers throughout his career. He has held significant leadership positions including Director of a major research institute with approximately 25 million US dollars in annual turnover and leadership of the Sydney node of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Free Radical Chemistry and Biotechnology from 2006 to 2013. His contributions to the scientific community have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the Society for Free Radical Research Europe Award and Lectureship in 2017, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Free Radical Research-India in 2014, and election as an Ordinary Member of the Academy of Europe in 2023. As a Fellow of both the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor Davies continues to shape the field of redox biology through his ongoing research and leadership, with his renewed Novo Nordisk Laureate grant ensuring continued impactful contributions to understanding the role of oxidative processes in health and disease.
