Dimitrios Davalos, PhD
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View All PlansAbout Dimitrios Davalos, PhD
Dr. Dimitrios Davalos studies the neuro-immune mechanisms that influence the brain’s normal function, its homeostatic balance, and its structural integrity. He is particularly interested in microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, the spinal cord and the retina, the three major sites of the central nervous system (CNS). His research aims to determine the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which microglia facilitate normal brain function, and regulate immune responses when the homeostasis or the integrity of the CNS are pathologically compromised. In doing so, his ultimate goal is to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention for neurological diseases.
During his graduate years Dr. Davalos performed the first in vivo imaging study of microglia, taking advantage of advanced microscopy technologies that allow following the behavior of individual cells inside the intact living brain, in real time. He demonstrated that microglia continuously survey the intact brain, and can rapidly contain small localized injuries within just a few minutes. These findings challenged prior views regarding the role of microglia in the brain, and inspired numerous new studies aimed at better understanding the mechanisms and the significance of such unexpected microglial abilities for neuronal development, plasticity, function, and dysfunction.
In recent years, Dr. Davalos has been studying microglial responses in the context of blood brain barrier disruption, a phenomenon that is very common among pathologies such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, and other neurodegenerative diseases. He has also developed and published novel methods for imaging the living brain and spinal cord to follow ongoing biological processes over time. His research combines cutting-edge imaging techniques with molecular, cellular and genetic approaches to study the interactions between blood vessels, neurons, and glia, and understand how their functional and structural relationships change between health and disease.
Dr. Davalos earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Athens in Greece, and a Ph.D. in Physiology and Neuroscience from New York University. He did his postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Prior to joining the Lerner Research Institute and the Cleveland Clinic Dr. Davalos served as the associate director of the Center for In Vivo Imaging Research at the Gladstone Institutes and UCSF. He reviews for several scientific journals and funding institutions and maintains an active role in training the next generation of neuro-glial biologists. He has organized and regularly participates in International scientific conferences, and has received postdoctoral and young investigator awards from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Heart Association and the Race to Erase Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
Education & Professional Highlights
Appointed
2015
Education & Fellowships
Fellowship - University of California-San Francisco
Postdoc Fellow, Gladstone Institute of Neurological Dis.
San Francisco,
CA
2010
Fellowship - University of California-San Diego
Postdoc Fellow in Department of Pharmacology
La Jolla,
CA
2008
Medical Education - New York University School of Medicine
Neuroscience and Physiology
New York,
NY
2005
Undergraduate - National University of Athens
Biology
Athens,
2000
Research & Publications
See publications for Dimitrios Davalos, PhD.
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Industry Relationships
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As of 5/4/2024, Dr. Davalos has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
