Philip and Margaret Davidson

Despite the rising number of children with intellectual and developmental diseases, there are a disappointing number of researchers investigating them. Few know this as well as Phil Davidson, Ph.D., who served as director of the Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities—a division of the Department of Pediatrics—for 32 years.

Phil, professor emeritus in UR Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, and his wife, Margaret, decided to address the shortage of scientists in this area with a bequest intention that will establish the Philip William and Margaret Bourquin Davidson Endowed Lectureship in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Philip William and Margaret Bourquin Davidson Endowed Fellowship in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.

The Davidsons believe that clinical and translational science at the University has never been stronger than it is today, and that investing in UR Medicine’s scientists ensures a return from which the whole world will benefit.

“Because I have spent my life working in developmental disabilities, I know where the gaps are,” said Phil. “We need more scientists. And Margaret and I wanted to do something that would help train them.”

Pictured Philip and Margaret Davidson