Gregory Dick

Gregory Dick is a Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan, holding the Arthur F Thurnau Professorship. He leads research on microbial communities in freshwater ecosystems, particularly cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs). His work integrates field, lab, and bioinformatic methods to address environmental and public health challenges posed by cHABs in the Great Lakes.

Education: B.A. Biology (University of Virginia, 2000), Ph.D. Marine Biology (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 2006), Postdoc in Earth and Planetary Science (UC Berkeley).

Research focuses on cHAB dynamics, including toxin production, environmental drivers, and the microbiome’s role in bloom ecology. Notable contributions include studies on airborne cyanotoxin risks and the establishment of the Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health, a $6.5M federally funded initiative.

Awards: Arthur F Thurnau Professorship (recognizing excellence in teaching and research).

Advising and grants: Leads a research group studying cHABs and collaborates with over 28 faculty members. Current projects include autonomous monitoring technologies and community engagement for policy development.

Labs/teams: Directs the Dick Lab at the University of Michigan, focusing on geomicrobiology and environmental biogeochemistry.