Directory
Mary Ellen Dillon
Principal Lecturer
Full-Time Faculty
College of Arts and Sciences: Biology
Degrees
- ALM, Sustainability, Harvard Extension School, Harvard University, 2020
- M.S., Biology (with concentration in science education), Purdue University
- B.S., Biology, Xavier University
Profile
Mary Ellen Dillon has held myriad roles since joining the University of Dayton. She has served the College as a part-time lecturer, full-time lecturer, Biology lab coordinator and Coordinator of the INSS (Integrated Natural Science Sequence). Her contributions have included the development of a paired tutoring system to support physics classes and an integrated field study course. She has also piloted integrative courses such as a recent special topics course in Biology and Sustainability.
Faculty perspective
"I have wanted to teach since I was a young girl, and despite numerous professional personal changes in my life, that passion for teaching students, as well as teaching others how to teach, has remained. I enjoy creatively communicating complex concepts to eager (and sometimes not so eager) young minds.
I have been committed to teaching science both inside and outside the classroom throughout my career, yet recently my interests have expanded to interweaving science and sustainability with perspectives of society and faith."
Recent professional activities
Invited presentations
Dillon, M.E. (2025) "Canadian Wildfires and Ohio Politics. What's the Connection?" Jan. 9, Dayton Regional Green Sustainability Luncheon, Dayton.
Dillon, M.E. (2024) "Science, Religion, the Universe and YOU!" Aug. 1, Bayley Wellness Center, Cincinnati.
Publications
When Prayer is Not Enough: A Reflection on faith and the interconnected climate anomalies. (7/18/2024) by Marianist Encounters. Republished (8/16/24) by Catholic Climate Covenant
Dillon ME, Jackson-Smith D (2021) Impact of the veterinary feed directive on Ohio cattle operations. PLoS ONE 16(8): e0255911. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255911
Dillon, Mary Ellen. 2020. The Impact of Restricting Antibiotic Use in Livestock: Using a 'One Health' Approach to Analyze Effects of the Veterinary Feed Directive. Master's thesis, Harvard Extension School. https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/37365628
Awards and recognition
UD biology professor launches new course on air pollution and human health (5/6/2024) College of Arts & Sciences Newsroom
Outstanding Contribution by a Full-Time Non-tenure Track Faculty Member (2023)
University of Dayton biology lecturer receives master’s degree in sustainability from Harvard (11/9/2020) Hanley Sustainability blog