Virginia Dale

Virginia Dale is a Research Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Corporate Fellow Emeritus at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Her research focuses on environmental decision-making, ecosystem management in the context of climate change and large disturbances, and sustainability of agricultural landscapes and energy systems. She contributed to the IPCC’s 2007 Nobel Peace Prize-winning work and has studied plant succession at Mount St. Helens since 1980. Dr. Dale holds a B.A. (1974), M.S. (1975), and Ph.D. (1980) in Mathematical Ecology from the University of Tennessee and University of Washington. She serves on scientific advisory boards for U.S. agencies and committees of the National Academies of Science. Her community involvement includes roles as a Trustee for The Nature Conservancy (Tennessee) and member of the Sierra Club’s state board.

Education:

• B.A. in Mathematics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1974, with honors)
• M.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Ecology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1975)
• Ph.D. in Mathematical Ecology (Special Individual Program), University of Washington, Seattle (1980)

Research Interests: Dr. Dale’s work integrates ecological principles with socio-environmental systems, emphasizing sustainability, climate change mitigation, and resilience. She explores bioenergy systems, land-use impacts, and stakeholder engagement in decision-making. Her long-term studies on Mount St. Helens provide insights into ecological recovery post-disturbance. Recent efforts address sustainability of wood pellet production and its implications for forests and climate goals.

Awards:

• 2007 Nobel Peace Prize (shared with IPCC)

Grants & Collaborations: Her research has been supported by federal agencies and international collaborations. She leads interdisciplinary projects on FEW systems, bioenergy governance, and landscape sustainability.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Her work intersects with the Institute of Agriculture’s Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries department.