Carla M. Davis, MD received her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Howard University and her medical degree from Duke University. She completed her pediatrics residency and allergy/immunology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine and is currently a Professor of Pediatrics. She is the current Chair of Pediatrics and Child Health at Howard University College of Medicine.
Dr. Davis is focused on improving the quality of life for infants, children, and adolescents with allergic and immunologic diseases, most specifically food allergy, writing over 120 publications in the medical literature on these topics. She has been an NIH funded investigator with expertise in translational research studies for assessment of clinical tolerance to allergic disease and the identification of clinical biomarkers.
Her interest is the expansion of the current treatments through clinical trials and community educational and access initiatives. She has >20 years of experience in clinical care and performing clinical, educational, and translational research in allergic diseases and >5 years of experience in academic leadership and access initiatives. She led legislative initiatives in school districts in Texas and published epidemiologic studies to define shellfish allergy.
She is the recent recipient of the Floyd Malveaux Award from the National Medical Association, awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in research, education, and clinical practice in the areas of allergy and asthma. She is a leader on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology executive committee. She is passionate about providing compassionate care to her patients and families.
Medicine
Duke University
1997
Chemical Engineering
Howard University
1992
Pediatric Residency
Baylor College of Medicine
2000
BCM Principal Investigator: A phase 2 randomized double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of Dupilumab in subjects with eosinophilic gastritis. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. 2/22/2021-2/21/2024. $186,793. Grant.
BCM Principal Investigator: Safety and Tolerability of Shrimp Oral Immunotherapy in Shrimp Allergic Subjects, R34AI157948. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. 4/15/2021-3/31/22. $195,170. Grant.
BCM Principal Investigator: Controlling and Preventing Asthma Progression and Severity in Kids with Omalizumab. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. 2/24/20-6/30/24. $602,080. Grant.
BCM Principal Investigator: Systems Biology of Early Atopy (SUNBEAM). National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. 3/1/21-2/28/22. $717,815. Grant.
BCM Principal Investigator: A Prospective, Multicenter Study To Compare And Validate Endoscopic, Histologic, Molecular, And Patient-Reported Outcomes In Pediatric And Adult Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis (Eoe), Gastritis (Eg), And Colitis (Ec). National Institute of Health Rare Diseases Network. 2019-2021. $10,000. Grant.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0952791525000457
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Swallowed topical corticosteroids have been used off-label for treating eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in pediatric patients for some time. Despite their widespread use, there was no FDA-approved swallowed topical corticosteroid available at the time of this study. Budesonide oral suspension (BOS) represents a novel formulation of topical corticosteroid, designed as a viscous suspension to optimize residency time in the esophageal mucosa. Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials were conducted in adolescents and adults with EoE to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BOS. This study pooled data specifically from adolescents enrolled in both trials to assess the safety and efficacy in this age group.
Swallowed topical corticosteroids (STS) are a highly effective medical option to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), but are also associated with potential side effects related to systemic absorption, including adrenal suppression or insufficiency (AI). This study aimed to examine children with EoE treated with STS who developed AI and assess whether the dose of STS, type of STS, or other factors may be associated with the development of AI.
Food protein induced proctocolitis (FPIP) in infants is characterized by hematochezia caused by inflammation of the distal colon secondary to a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to food proteins, typically cow’s milk. Dietary elimination of the offending food protein is associated with resolution of hematochezia. In clinical practice, many infants with suspected FPIP remain on a cow’s milk free diet until 12 months of age, despite previous studies showing that only 15% to 20% of infants develop recurrent hematochezia following re-exposure to the suspected food allergen. Thus, this study aimed to assess whether an early imbalance in infant gut colonization might provide an alternative, nonallergy explanation for the distal colon inflammation seen in infants with suspected FPIP.
Self-reported food allergies (FAs) affect approximately 8% of the US pediatric and approximately 10% of the adult population, which reflects potentially disproportionate increases among ethnically and racially minoritized groups. Multiple gaps and unmet needs exist regarding FA disparities. There is reported evidence of disparities in FA outcomes, and the FA burden may also be disproportionate in low-income families. Low family income has been associated with higher emergency care spending and insecure access to allergen-free food. Pharmacoinequity arises in part as a result of structural racism still experienced by historically marginalized populations today. Historically redlined communities continue to experience greater rates of neighborhood-level air pollution and indoor allergen exposure, lack of transportation to medical appointments, poverty, and lower prescription rates of necessary medications. Clinical research needs racially and ethnically diverse participation to ensure generalizability of research findings and equitable access to medical advances, but race reporting in clinical trials has been historically poor. Addressing health disparities in FA is a priority of clinical care, with professional organizations such as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology having a prominent role to play in mitigating the challenges faced by these individuals. In this position statement we recommend some key steps to address this important issue.
Diagnosis and management of shrimp allergy
Shrimp allergy, the most common food allergy in the United States, affects up to 2% of the population. Its etiology is multi-factorial with the combination of genetic predisposition and environmental exposures. This review summarizes the latest diagnosis and management strategies for shrimp allergy. Currently, the double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge is the gold standard for diagnosis. Moreover, mainstream and experimental management strategies include food allergen avoidance, the FDA-approved omalizumab, and oral immunotherapy. Herein, we emphasize the urgent need to develop more effective diagnostic tools and therapies for shrimp allergy.
Prevention remains a critical goal to improve quality of life, given the chronic nature of allergic conditions and the interplay between them contributing to the atopic march. In this review, we will highlight key novel approaches to preventing allergic disease using a top-down approach (primary to secondary to tertiary). Significant advancements in the field have resulted in cutting-edge therapies and options for patients to optimize their health and quality of life. These include early introduction of allergenic foods; oral, sublingual, epicutaneous, and subcutaneous immunotherapy; biologic therapy; and elimination of allergen or irritant skin exposures. Further research and developments are necessary to prevent the atopic march and continue the progression of diagnostic and treatment modalities in allergic diseases. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0952791525000457)
Dr. Carla Davis, the 2026 president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), joins Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta to discuss improving access to allergy care, reducing health disparities, and integrating AI into allergy medicine.
August 2025: Top Five Things FITs Should Know About Healthcare Disparities. Carla M. Davis, MD, FAAAAI, Chair of Pediatrics and Child Health at Howard University College of Medicine, President-Elect of the AAAAI.
