Dr. Freddie M. Dixon, a professor in the Division of Sciences and Mathematics at UDC, specializes in mentoring STEM students and advancing the recruitment, retention, and graduation of underrepresented groups in STEM disciplines. He leads initiatives such as the STEM Center for Research and Development, enhancing the academic success of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Experience
Education
Doctorate of Philosophy in Zoology, Terminal Ph.D. Fellowship, Howard University Master of Science in Zoology, Teaching Fellow, Howard University Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Medicine, Florida A&M University
Roles
Professor, Division of Sciences and Mathematics, UDC, 2010-Present Program Director, STEM Center for Research and Development, UDC, 2010-Present Professor and Chairperson, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, UDC, 1999-2010 Visiting Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, 1996-2000 Professor, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, UDC, 1973-99
Courses Taught
Journal Club I Journal Club II Senior Seminar Critical Thinking Skills General Genetics Advanced Genetics Biological Sciences I Biological Science II Invertebrate Zoology Anatomy and Physiology I Anatomy and Physiology II General Zoology
Expertise
Mentoring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Recruitment, retention, and graduation of underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at the undergraduate level
Impact
Selected Publications
Knight, M., Smith, M., Yadav, S., Akinyele, O., Pels, N., Horton, D., Alsultan, N.,Borns, A., Cousin, C., Dixon, F., Mann, V., Lee, C., Brindley, P., El-Sayed, N., Bridger, J., & Knight, M. (2021). PIWI silencing mechanism involving the retrotransposon nimbus orchestrates resistance to infection with Schistosoma mansoni in the snail vector. Biomphalaria glabrata.https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.12.426235.
Selected Presentations
Dixon, F., Wood, A., & Cousin, C. (2020). Enhancing STEM education through practices that promote academic success.AAC&U’s Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference, Virtual.
Dixon, F., Wood, A., & Cousin, C. (2018). Increasing underrepresented STEM graduates through novel enrichment activities and persistent support. AAC&U’s Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.
Dixon, F., Wood, A., Cousin, C. (2018). Implementation project: STEM center for research and development —increasing minority students in STEM disciplines. Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM, Washington, D.C.
Selected Grant
National Science Foundation. (2004). STEM Center for Research and Development at UDC. National Science Foundation. (2019). Scholarships and mentoring to increase the academic success of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. National Institutes of Health. (2010). MARC U*STAR honors program.
Recognitions
Dr. Marjorie Holloman Parker Distinguished Educator’s Award, UDC, 2017 Educational Leadership College-Level Promotion of Education Award, Women of Color STEM Conference, 2017 Outstanding STEM Faculty Award – First Place, NASA District of Columbia Space Grant Consortium, 2011 Mycology Millennium Award for Outstanding Paper of the Year, Journal of Medical Mycology, 2000 Leadership Award, National Institute of Science/Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society Annual Meeting, 1996
