top of page

Mercy's Legacy

Curriculum Vitae Highlights

Dr. Mercy Mascreen Davidson, Ph.D.

Dr. Mercy Mascreen Davidson was a globally respected neuroscientist and Columbia University professor whose pioneering research in mitochondrial disease and neurodegeneration changed the landscape of medical science. As a six-term member of the Columbia University Senate and co-chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, she championed gender equity in academia and medicine long before it was mainstream.

​

Over four decades, she mentored hundreds of students, advocated for underrepresented voices in science, and remained a steadfast voice for scientific integrity. She believed in a world where women belong in the lab, at the head of the table, and at the center of healthcare decision-making.

​

The MMD2 Foundation was created in her honor—to carry forward her legacy of brilliance, justice, and care.

Professional Appointments

  • Senior Research Scientist (2010–2025)
    Department of Radiation Oncology,

        Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC)

  • International Invited Lecturer (2007-2015) 

    • ​Soochow University (China),

    • CSIR–IICB (Kolkata),

    • NIMHANS (India), and

    • Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (Hyderabad)

  • Senior Research Scientist (2005–2009)
    Department of Neurology, CUMC

  • Research Scientist (1997–2005)
    Department of Neurology, CUMC

  • Associate Research Scientist (1985–1997)
    Department of Neurology, CUMC

  • Postdoctoral Research Scientist (1981–1984)
    Department of Pediatrics/Neurology, CUMC

  • Lecturer in Neurochemistry (1977–1981)
    National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India

Leadership Roles 

  • Six-Term Elected Senator
    Columbia University Senate (2003–2015)

    • Co-Chair, Commission on the Status of Women

    • Member, University Committees on: Online Learning, Salary Equity, Effort Reporting, Conflict of Interest, and Sexual Harassment Hearings

Awards & Recognitions

  • U.S. Patent Holder Immortalization of post-mitotic human cardiomyocytes (US Patent #7223599)

  • Jerry Lewis Postdoctoral Fellowship Muscular Dystrophy Association, USA

  • Merit Scholarships

    • ​Indian Council of Medical Research (1972)

    • University Grants Commission (1974)​

  • Session Chair, Scientific Conferences

    • Mitochondria and Aging (SMRM, 2013)

    • Cell Biology & Apoptosis (Indo-US Workshop, 2012)

  • Reviewer & Panelist

    • ​NIH (NIEHS)

    • Muscular Dystrophy Association, Telethon (Italy)

  • Editorial Reviewer

    • ​American Journal of Human Genetics

    • Human Mutation

    • Mitochondrion

    • PLOS One

    • Journal of Neurological Sciences, and more

  • Professional Society Memberships

    • ​American Society for Cell Biology

    • American Society for Human Genetics,

    • American Heart Association

    • American Medical Writers Association

Publications

Selected Publications

Dr. Mercy Mascreen Davidson published more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific articles over her four-decade career—spanning mitochondrial genetics, cardiomyopathy, environmental neurotoxicity, and blood–brain barrier dysfunction. Below are five of her most influential works. A full list is available at the end.

​

The m.3243A>G mtDNA Mutation Is Pathogenic in an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier

Davidson MM, Walker WF, Hernandez-Rosa E. Mitochondrion, 2009.

 

Why it matters: This landmark study modeled how a specific mitochondrial mutation weakens the blood–brain barrier—offering critical insight into stroke-like episodes in MELAS patients.

 

Novel Human Cell Lines Derived from Adult Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

Davidson MM, Nesti C, Walker WF, Hernandez E, et al. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 2005.
 

Why it matters: Dr. Davidson developed a method to create proliferating heart muscle cell lines from adults—a breakthrough for studying cardiac diseases and mitochondrial mutations.

 

Mitochondrial Nucleoids Maintain Genetic Autonomy but Allow for Functional Complementation

Gilkerson RW, Schon EA, Hernandez E, Davidson MM. Journal of Cell Biology, 2008.
 

Why it matters: This widely cited paper revealed how mitochondria can complement one another even when damaged—reshaping how scientists understand mitochondrial communication and gene therapy.

 

Arsenic-Induced Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Altered Mitochondrial Oxidative Function

Partridge MA, Davidson MM, Hei TK. Cancer Research, 2007.
 

Why it matters: This study connected environmental arsenic exposure to mitochondrial DNA damage, providing key evidence in environmental toxicology and public health research.

 

The Mitochondrial tRNA Mutation in MELAS: A Model for Pathogenesis

Schon EA, Koga Y, Davidson M, et al. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1992.
 

Why it matters: This foundational study modeled how a single point mutation in mitochondrial DNA causes MELAS—a critical step in defining the genetic and biochemical basis of the disease.

​

A complete list of Dr. Davidson's publications with links to the pubmed articles can be found below.

bottom of page