Brief Biography
Dr. Virginia Davis is the Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professor in Auburn University’s Department of Chemical Engineering. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Rice University in 2006 under the guidance of Professor Matteo Pasquali and the late Nobel Laureate Richard E. Smalley. She received her Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Engineering from Tulane University’s Department of Chemical Engineering. Between her BSE and Ph.D. degrees, she worked for eleven years in Shell Chemicals’ polymer businesses in the US and Europe.
At Auburn, she conducts fundamental and applied research on producing useful structures with unique properties from nanomaterial and polymer dispersions. This includes work in 1D and 2D nanomaterials, rheology, additive manufacturing, liquid crystals, and polymer recycling. In addition, she is actively involved in collaborative research and outreach efforts aimed at understanding STEM identity formation and increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Davis has seven patents, and her 50+ peer-reviewed articles have been cited over 5000 times. She has also served on several university diversity, equity, and inclusion committees. In 2019, she was appointed by the governor to the newly formed Alabama STEM Council. Davis’ national awards include the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum’s Young Investigator Award (2012), a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2010), and a National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2009). Her Auburn University awards include Inclusive Excellence and Diversity (2019), the Provost's Award for Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring (2018), the Auburn Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach (2015), and the Auburn Engineering Alumni Council Awards for Senior (2013) and Junior (2009) Faculty Research.
EMAIL: DAVISVA@AUBURN.EDU
PHONE: (334) 844-2060
Current research group members
Sadat Amit, Ph.D Candidate
Microstructural Orientation of Cellulose Nanocrystals: Applications in Bio-Sensing and Optical Films
Mackenzie B. Woods, Ph.D. Candidate
Self Assembly, Phase Behavior, and Processing of Anisotropic Nanomaterials
Delaney E. Clouse, Ph.D. Candidate
Modification of Nanoscale Properties of Plant-Derived Carbon Materials for Future Value-Added Applications
Daniel Meadows, Ph.D. Candidate
From Macromolecules to Sustainable Materials: Motivating the Repurpose of Biomass and Plastic Waste
Tanmay Rahman, Graduate Student
Francis Mekunye, Graduate Student
Undergraduate Researchers: Julia Petterson
Outreach, STEM Education and WorkForce Development
Davis serves on Alabama STEM Council, the Auburn Faculty Senate DEI Committee, and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Inclusion and Diversity Committee. She also facilitates DEI workshops for engineering faculty and staff. Our research seeks to understand STEM identity formation among groups historically underrepresented in STEM and is focused on two main themes: 1) the effects of framing engineering as altruism on engineering identity formation, and 2) fostering the development of inquiry skills and self-efficacy through science and engineering fair participation. We share our activities and findings through conferences, publications, and events. All group members regularly participate in outreach activities including Auburn University's E-Day and MiTE Program, the GRAND Engineering Research Showcase, the Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair, and many more.
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Department of Chemical Engineering, 212 Ross Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849