SENIOR EXECUTIVE, CONSULTANT, & MEDICAL DOCTOR
Chemistry Major | Class of 1981
Back in 1971, when the Clearwater High School graduating class voted National Merit Scholar Richard Davis "Most Ambitious," they knew exactly what they were doing. Ten years later, after a Bachelor of Science degree from Old Dominion University in chemistry and a Medical Degree from the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Davis set out on a remarkable career. Today he is highly experienced in corporate management, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, and medical practice. He has an extensive record of honors and achievements, including the Distinguished Alumni Award at Old Dominion University in 1997.
As a senior executive, Dr. Davis founded and led five development-stage medical/ biotechnology start-ups. Along the way, he established contacts with top-tier investment banks and institutional investors, directed strategic planning, invented new technologies, developed intellectual property, and managed research and development programs. Among his many credits is the establishment of the first practice-based dedicated apheresis facility in the United States. Additionally, over 200 of Dr. Davis's domestic and foreign patents and trademarks have been awarded and issued or are pending.
At the Medical College of Virginia, Dr. Davis was recognized for outstanding achievement with the Kenloch Nelson Student Honors Award, given to only one student annually. Since receiving his medical licensure in Florida in 1982, Dr. Davis has been a practicing physician in emergency medicine, aerospace medicine as a flight surgeon, and diving undersea medicine. He is also experienced as a consultant to medical and technologies companies, and he has lectured extensively, particularly on the subject of Age-related Macular Degeneration.
In another milestone, Dr. Davis was deep selected through two of three qualifying rounds for participation in NASA's Shuttle Mission Specialist Program, but departed the program with the resignation of his commission in the United States Navy. It was only one of many achievements in an illustrious and varied career to which Old Dominion University is proud to have contributed.
Dr. Davis's personal interests are as varied as his professional interests. He enjoys long-distance cycling, tennis, golf, skiing - jet, water and snow - roller-blading, foreign travel, motorcycle touring, sports car rally, acoustic guitar, ancient history, and cosmology. He is married and has two children.