Cole Davidson

Assistant Professor of Biology

Office: SC 63

(319) 352-8590

cole.davidson@wartburg.edu

More about Cole Davidson

B.S., Truman State University
Ph.D., University of Vermont

Current Research/Areas of Interest
I’m interested in the cytotoxic potential of natural products on aggressive cancers such as pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma. Additionally, I am passionate about combining natural compounds with standard chemotherapeutics to evaluate drug synergy. My students are introduced to basic cell culture techniques as well as molecular assays to investigate mechanisms of cytotoxicity in cancer cells.

Pancreatic cancer: Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest solid tumors, with a median prognosis of ten months. Standard treatments such as gemcitabine and cisplatin only extend patient lifespan by three months, and broad-spectrum therapies levy severe side effects. Natural compounds, such as flavonoids found in plants, show promising anticancer properties without harming normal cells. Students will have the opportunity to test natural compounds alone or in combination with gemcitabine or cisplatin in pancreatic cancer cells.

Glioblastoma: Glioblastoma, often referred to as GBM, is an aggressive and devastating form of brain cancer. It originates in the glial cells, which are the supportive tissue of the brain, and is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. GBM is known for its rapid growth, infiltrative nature, and resistance to standard treatments, making it one of the most challenging cancers to manage. Despite advancements in medical science, prognosis for glioblastoma remains poor, with a median prognosis of fourteen months. Students will have the opportunity to test natural compounds alone or in combination with the chemotherapeutic, temozolomide, in GBM cells.

Courses Taught
BI 101 Concepts of Biology
BI 130 Drugs and Personal Health
BI 151 Biology I: Cells, Genes, Evolution, Diversity
BI 221 Cell Biology
BI 318 Mammalian Physiology
BI 336 Human Pharmacology
BI 416 Molecular Biology of Cancer
BI/NSC 455 Methods of Biological Research
BI/NSC 456 Student-Originated Research