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Alison F. Davis, Ph.D.

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I have been a freelance writer since 2001 with a range of clients including senior scientists and physicians at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and leading research institutions. I have worked closely on communications and messaging for many high-profile projects led by NIH including peer review, scientific workforce diversity, neuroscience and neuroethics, the opioid crisis, and many others, and I wrote “Always There,” a biography of NIH legend Dr. Ruth Kirschstein. I have also written patient-targeted materials, science humor, and a range of science educational materials.

Alison sailing (1).jpeg

I earned a B.S. in biochemistry from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. in pharmacology from Georgetown University, did postdoctoral research in developmental biology at Stanford University, then completed the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I live with my husband on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where I enjoy playing the piano, running, and sailing the Chesapeake with our dogs and two adult sons when they’re in town.

Clients Past and Present 

National Institutes of Health
•    NIH Office of the Director
o    NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative (HEAL)

o    Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative ​

o    Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity
o    Office of Communications and Public Liaison
o    Office of Research on Women’s Health
o    Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences
o    Office of Nutrition
•    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
•    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
•    National Human Genome Research Institute
•    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
•    National Institute of General Medical Sciences
•    National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
•    National Institute on Drug Abuse
•    National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
•    National Cancer Institute
•    National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
•    National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

 

NIH-DOD-VA Pain Management Collaboratory 

Science Philanthropy Alliance

Yale University

University of Pennsylvania

Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics

Stanford University

Jack's Tomorrow

Prevention Access Campaign

Food and Drug Administration 

Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues

University of Florida College of Dentistry

The Children’s Inn

Society for Neuroscience

Speechwriting/Scientific/Strategic Writing for Principals:

  • Elizabeth Nabel, MD 

  • Hannah Valantine, MD

  • Francis Collins, MD, PhD

  • Elias Zerhouni, MD

  • Janine Clayton, MD

  • Frances Harding, PhD

  • Susan Shurin, MD

  • John Ngai, Ph.D.

  • Rebecca Baker, Ph.D.
     

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