Entomological Society of Canada – Fellows

Peggy Dixon

Entomological Society of Canada Fellowships are bestowed by the Society to recognize members for their major contributions to entomology via research, teaching, application, and (or) administration. Dr Peggy Dixon has been elected Fellow in 2021.

Dr Peggy Dixon recently retired as a Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). She began her career with the federal government in Kentville, Nova Scotia (1989-91), spent a year as a Special Advisor on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at national AAFC headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario (1991-92), and worked in St. John’s, Newfoundland from 1992 until 2021. Her research has contributed to improved IPM systems for berry crops, feed crops, and horticulture. As a Special Advisor, she served on departmental committees, prepared reports and gave presentations to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Agriculture to inform a national strategy on IPM.

For almost 30 years, Peggy has been unstinting in her time and support for both the ESC and the Acadian Entomological Society (AES). She joined the ESC in the early 1990s, serving on the Board as Secretary from 1994-97. She rejoined the Board as a member of the Executive from 2004-08, serving as President in 2006-07. She joined the Board a third time in 2018-19 as the Regional Director for the Acadian Entomological Society. She has Chaired the ESC’s Science Policy Committee and the Achievement Awards Committee, and served on the ESC’s ad hoc Strategic Review Committee. As a member of the AES, Peggy served as President (2010-11) and was a member of the organizing committee for several AES annual meetings.

As an Adjunct Professor at Memorial University and at Acadia University, Peggy supervised graduate students, served as an External Examiner on thesis defense committees, participated in PhD comprehensives and on student committees, and gave invited guest lectures. She served as an invited reviewer for provincial, national, and international research programs, and also for numerous international journals (including The Canadian Entomologist [TCE]). In 2020, she co-guest edited a Special Issue (11 papers) in TCE on spotted winged drosophila.

In 2002, Peggy received a Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II (excellence in pest management research). In 2007 and 2021, she received AAFC Gold Harvest Awards for excellence (in pest management research and career achievement) and also an ESC Service Award upon completing her term as ESC President. In August 2015, the AES conferred upon her the status of Honorary Member.