Elizabeth “Lizzy” Davis, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of the Dietitian Education Program in the UAB Department of Nutrition Sciences, has been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors UAB faculty who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. The 2026 UAB honorees represent each school, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Honors College, and the Graduate School.
Below is just a sampling of what Davis' students and colleagues had to say in her nomination:
She “demonstrates exceptional mastery of nutrition science and a consistent ability to translate complex scientific and clinical concepts into clear, engaging and applicable learning experiences,” a nominator wrote. “Evaluation data across multiple years show consistently high ratings and, more importantly, strong student gains in applying knowledge, professional reasoning and readiness for practice.”
“Students do not simply enjoy her courses; they describe becoming more capable learners and professionals because of them,” a colleague added.
Davis is “known for her effective use of innovative teaching methods that promote active learning, critical thinking and professional readiness,” the nominator continued. “One notable case study, grounded in maternal health, requires students to diagnose nutrition-related challenges and propose evidence-based interventions, fostering both clinical reasoning and empathy. Student feedback highlights these assignments as intellectually engaging, relevant and instrumental in deepening understanding.”
“Beyond her own courses, Dr. Davis has had a transformative influence on the department’s teaching culture,” another nominator wrote. “Several faculty members now independently teach courses they initially developed under her mentorship, strengthening instructional capacity across the department. This investment in others’ teaching success is a hallmark of outstanding educators and has had a lasting impact on our academic programs.”
“I have observed firsthand how intentionally Dr. Davis thinks about teaching beyond individual courses,” a colleague wrote. “She consistently prioritizes curricular coherence, scaffolding of competencies, and the student experience as learners move between programs and instructional contexts.”
