Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, PhD, RD

Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor of Nutrition and Medicine
Chair
Department of Nutrition
Gillings School of Global Public Health

Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, PhD RD, is the Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor of Nutrition and Medicine, and Chair of the Department of Nutrition, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has focused her career on diabetes, including the epidemiology and natural history of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children and adults. Her research addresses the many ways in which nutrition can impact on the risk for development of diabetes, and on the risk of complications of either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Studies have typically included culturally and regionally diverse populations. Dr. Mayer-Davis’ primary focus now is on type 1 diabetes in youth and young adults, with a focus on overall diabetes self-management and on energy balance and weight management for individuals with type 1 diabetes. She is Principal Investigator for the Carolina site of the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study, and she serves as the national co-chairperson for this large multi-center study. Recently funded 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. Intervention strategies are patient-centered, using problem solving skills training and motivational interviewing that incorporates communication technologies as desired by the patient. Studies include large epidemiological studies as well as clinical trials, including adaptive interventions and adaptive designs. Dr. Mayer-Davis is very active in the American Diabetes Association and was the 2011 President for Health Care and Education for the Association. She was recently appointed to the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee by the Secretary of the USDA and the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services. She also served as an appointee of President Obama on the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion and Integrative and Public Health.