Dr. Ken Dickson

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About this Writer

Ken Dickson was born in Jacksboro, Texas. Received a BS in Education (1966) and MS in Biology (1968) from North Texas State University. He got his Ph.D. in Zoology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1971. He was a faculty member in Biological Sciences at VPI from 1970 to 1978 serving as Assistant Director of the Center for Environmental Studies and Assistant and subsequently Associate Professor of Biological Sciences. In 1978 Dr. Dickson returned to UNT as a Research Scientist in the Institute of Applied Sciences. He became Director of IAS in 1979 and Professor of Biological Sciences. He directed the IAS until 1999. He was appointed a Regents Professor in 1989. He led the team that created the concept of the UNT Environmental Education Science and Technology Building (EESAT). In 1998 Dr. Dickson created the Elm Fork Education Center at UNT and still serves as the Director. The Elm Fork Education Center has brought over 100,000 K-8 school children to campus to learn about science and the environment.

His research interests include: the fate and effects of chemicals in the aquatic environment, water quality, ecotoxicology, environmental education and sustainability. He is a past president of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and the Texas Academy of Science. Dr. Dickson served from 1989 thru 1999 on the U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board and was re-appointed in 2004 for a three-year term. He served the Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research Development Program, Science Advisory Committee. He has also served on the Environmental Advisory Board for the Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His research interest includes: the fate and effects of chemicals in the aquatic environment, water quality, ecotoxicology, environmental education and sustainability.

He is author of over 150 technical publications on a variety of environmental topics. He has received over 20 million dollars in grants and contracts to support research and students at UNT. He has been mentor to over a hundred graduate students who have pursed careers in biology and/or environmental science fields. He is recipient of UNT’s Regents Faculty Lecturer Award in 1989, UNT President’s Award, UNT Ursala Smith Spirit Award and the UNT Community Award. In September 2005 he retired from UNT and began Modified Service at UNT. Non-academic interests include: enjoying nature, trout fishing, camping, participating in Habitat for Humanity, farming, family and friends.

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