The Mary Davis Lab: Unraveling Chronic Illness One Gene at a Time

Photo by Megan Mulliner

For millions living with chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), the path forward is often uncertain. In the BYU Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Dr. Mary Davis and her research team are working to change that. By combining genetic insights with clinical data, the Davis Lab is developing predictive algorithms and personalized genetic panels to better understand disease progression and treatment response. Their innovative use of electronic health records streamlines research and reduces costs, bringing personalized treatment closer to everyday care.

In the lab, students delve into electronic medical records, extracting lab values and diagnosis codes to uncover patterns using regression analysis, natural language processing, and machine learning. Working in interdisciplinary teams, they build versatile skill sets and gain insights from peers in other fields. “No student is going to have all the skills they’ll need,” Davis explains. “It’s a great way to work with students across disciplines and learn from different fields.” The lab typically hosts six to ten students, including one or two graduate students. Davis encourages students to join as sophomores, ideally with a background in biology, coding, or statistics.

Breckin Forstrom’s (MMBIO, ‘26) experience working with Davis and the graduate students on her team has deepened his understanding of how computational tools can drive biological discoveries. “My time in the Davis Lab has given me firsthand experience with the full research process, from developing ideas to completing a project,” he explains. “This comprehensive exposure is preparing me well for graduate school and a future career in research.”

Quinn Beames (MMBIO, ‘27) came into the lab eager to learn coding with little prior experience. “Dr. Davis has been incredibly supportive and genuinely invested in our success,” he says. Since then, Beames has developed technical skills like R coding and Linux but believes he has learned the most about scientific communication. “Presenting at lab meetings and participating in conferences has helped me grow in confidence and clarity,” he shares. Under Davis’ mentorship, students learn to build strong resumes and connect with researchers across academia and industry.

Photo by Megan Mulliner

Davis encourages students to explore research opportunities with curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to fail. “That’s what research is about—trying things out and learning,” she shares. “We have a great environment here at BYU for students to do that.”

In the Davis Lab, faith and science go hand in hand, shaping how research is understood and applied. Davis believes studying genetics and diseases reveals the uniqueness of each individual. “The Savior suffered the Atonement for all because He understood that all of our baselines are different,” she says. Her team emphasizes the importance of seeing beyond labels and showing compassion over judgment in dealing with patients: “Two people with MS have very different diseases, very different experiences.”

Photo by Megan Mulliner

This environment has positively impacted the students in her lab. They value how Davis relates eternal principles to their research. “These moments have helped me recognize how faith can be strengthened not only through scripture study but also through the pursuit of knowledge and truth in science,” Beames remarks. While online tools are helpful, he now often finds himself relying more on spiritual guidance when facing complex coding problems. “Being in a collaborative and spiritually open environment, I’ve felt comfortable sharing these experiences, and it’s helped me connect with lab mates on a deeper, more spiritual level,” he explains.

Davis is looking for students with a strong foundation in at least one science—such as programming, statistics, or biology—and basic coding skills. She typically accepts students during the first week of each semester. Interested students should send a copy of their CV, resume, progress record, and a brief explanation of their interest in the lab to Dr. Davis via email.