On June 6, The University of Alabama Board of Trustees confirmed professor David Dixon as the College’s second Endowed Shelby Distinguished Professor. Dixon currently serves as the Robert Ramsay Chair in Chemistry & Biochemistry, a position he has held since 2004. 

“I am excited and honored to be named as part of the first group of Shelby Distinguished Professors as it honors the enormous impact that Senator Shelby has had on The University of Alabama,” Dixon said.  

After earning his bachelor’s degree from Caltech and his PhD from Harvard, Dixon has become a world leader in computational aspects of fluorine chemistry. He is known nationally for his broad range of studies on organic, inorganic and polymer systems, as well as his impact at the Capstone.  

Along with his University of Alabama patent for advanced hydrogen liquid fuels, Dixon’s teaching has made its mark. He has mentored more than 110 undergraduate students, co-authoring 60 peer-reviewed publications with them. His students have also become Goldwater Scholars and received Randall Research Outstanding Undergraduate Research awards.  

On a national level, Dixon uses his chemistry knowledge and computational methods to research environmental issues. His research has received over $7 million in funding from the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, and almost $9 million from the Department of Defense. Most notably, his work has helped address ozone depletion in the stratosphere.  

“Being a Shelby Professor will enable my research group to better advance our work in energy and the environment to benefit the State and the Nation,” Dixon said. “The support for STEM provided by the Shelby Distinguished Professorships will help to advance the visibility of The University of Alabama in this important area of research.” 

Want to submit a story idea? Email Abby McCreary at admccreary@ua.edu.