Margaret B. Davis

Doctor of Science

College of Biological Sciences, May 18, 2002

Margaret B. Davis, Regents Professor Emeritus, has an international reputation as one of the foremost ecologists and the leading paleoecologist of her time. She became head of the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota in 1976 and thereafter a member of the faculty. Her contributions to science resulted in her selection as Regents Professor and election to the National Academy of Sciences. She has made many fundamental contributions to ecology. Her approaches to the analysis of past vegetation dynamics through the study of the North American pollen record since the last Glacial period have illuminated important spatial and temporal components of modern ecological processes and informed scenarios of future change. Her championing of the rights of women in the academic profession is also worthy of recognition. In addition, she had extended her leadership beyond the University to numerous professional associations and societies.