Dustin W. Davis, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Residence in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences at UNLV. He earned a B.S. in Physical Education (2017) and an M.S. in Kinesiology (2019) from the University of Central Missouri, then came to UNLV in 2019 to pursue a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences under James W. Navalta, Ph.D. After completing his doctorate in 2023, he finished a postdoctoral appointment that advanced inclusivity and representation in sport and exercise science research.

In the classroom, Davis pairs compassionate pedagogy with evidence based strategies to help students master complex material. His teaching portfolio spans exercise physiology, physical fitness assessment, global perspectives on fitness, and human anatomy and physiology, reaching more than 600 students each semester.

Beyond the classroom, he and his students investigate the accuracy and reliability of consumer wearables by testing heart rate monitors, fitness trackers, and smartwatches against laboratory gold standards. Their work clarifies when—and for whom—wearables provide trustworthy heart rate, step count, activity, and energy expenditure data.

A companion line of research focuses on inclusivity and representation. Davis conducts studies to clarify how wearables, laboratory equipment, and research protocols may be adapted to foster safe, increased participation of females and other underrepresented groups, giving them the data they need to make informed decisions about physical activity, exercise, and sport performance.

Beyond teaching and research, Davis is an executive editor of the International Journal of Exercise Science. His team guides student and early career authors through submission, peer review, and publication in an open-access format.