Meet Catherine Davis, Computational biologist

Jazmine: I am fascinated by your military background as an explosives technician and curious to learn how it relates to your current work.

Catherine: I’ve actually been asked this a few times: how I went from working with explosives to what I’m doing now, and how those experiences translate. One of the most important skills I brought with me is the ability to problem-solve and think critically. In my position in the military, those skills were essential. We trained for scenarios where even a small mistake could have serious consequences, so it was critical to make quick, logical decisions under pressure.

That decision-making process carries over into what I do now. It may seem as if we’re not dealing with such serious scenarios with plants, but in some ways, the stakes are still high. Making sound, thoughtful decisions remains important because the data we provide to plant breeders is used to make decisions that can impact food, agriculture, and, ultimately, all of us.

My love for problem-solving, ability to thrive in a challenging environment, and persistence are the key qualities I’ve carried over from the military into the scientific field.

Jazmine: Do you have any specific mentors or colleagues who have played a significant role in your career? 

Catherine: Having really strong colleagues who serve as good role models keeps me motivated. I see how impactful their work is and what they’re achieving. Everyone that I work with at HudsonAlpha is incredibly talented. You can just see that they each have a purpose, their work matters, and they’re great at what they do. Being surrounded by people making such a difference pushes me to keep giving my best, hoping that I can make that same sort of impact. 

Josh [Clevenger] is great. He’s definitely an inspiration for me. His passion for his work is contagious. He makes me feel proud and excited to be part of this lab. It’s a good feeling.

I cannot say enough good things about Zack Myers, the other computational biologist on the team. He has really been instrumental to my transition in this field because, being new, I’ve had so many questions. I’m impressed by his depth of knowledge and ability to break down complex concepts in a digestible way, even for someone with my level of understanding. He’s always very professional and detail-oriented, and I know that I can trust him and his work. Even from his remote position in California, he’s been a great mentor to me, and I am grateful to have him as a colleague.

I can’t forget to mention Walid, who has really been responsible for my growth in this role. He’s created opportunities for me to learn and develop more than I ever expected in such a short amount of time. A lot of the progress I’ve made is thanks to his guidance and support.

Jazmine: Can you share a memorable exchange with a mentor that’s had a lasting impact on you? 

Catherine: I once had someone tell me this while I was in the Army: Sometimes, you’ll be asked to do something that feels out of reach, and you might feel unprepared, but don’t let a lack of confidence kill your ambition. Just because it’s outside of your comfort zone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

She also told me something that helped me overcome the self-doubt that often kept me from going after opportunities. She said, “Don’t assume everyone else has it all figured out. Many people are dealing with the same doubts and uncertainties, even if they don’t show it.” Initially, I felt that way when applying for this position. I came from a career in the Army where I was blowing stuff up, and now I’m here working with brilliant scientists every day. That little piece of advice gave me the confidence to pursue something totally outside of my experience, and I’m so glad I did.

Jazmine: From where I am sitting, you are positively incredible, and everything that I have ever heard about you has been reflective of how valuable you are to our team. I am curious to learn more about you. How did you wind up in Dothan?

Catherine: My husband is from this area, and we have three young kids. We wanted to settle in a place where we had a lot of family for support, and all of his family is from here. I am originally from Michigan, and my family is spread out across the United States, but I was able to convince my mom and grandmother to move here, so now we really have all the support we need.