Diane Dudzinski, Phd.

Renowned for her expertise in marine biology, microbiology, ecology, and environmental science, Diane Marie Dudzinski, PhD has served as an educator for nearly five decades throughout New York City and the west coast. Most recently, she excelled as a professor of biology at Washington State Community College from 1991 to 2012 and at Mercyhurst College from 1986 to 1991. In 1978, she joined the faculty at the College of Santa Fe, where she began as an associate professor and worked her way up to professor of biology and chairperson of the Department of Science and Mathematics by 1981 and 1982, respectively. Outside of her primary responsibilities, Dr. Dudzinski was also an environmental consultant for the Environmental-Medical Laboratories and Controls for Environmental Pollution between 1979 and 1981.

In the earlier portion of her career, Dr. Dudzinski had served Manhattan College as an instructor and assistant professor of biology between 1973 and 1978, having also been an instructor and a biology professor at Pace University and Ladycliff College in the early 1970s. She commenced her professional endeavors at Fordham University, where she was a teaching fellow and laboratory assistant between 1969 and 1974. Dr. Dudzinski first earned a Bachelor of Science from Villa Maria College, now part of Gannon University, in 1968. Subsequently, she matriculated at Fordham University, attaining a Master of Science in 1970 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1974. She recalls her love for the sciences was encouraged by her family and Sister Raymond Boar, who taught biology at her alma mater.

For her accomplishments in her field, Dr. Dudzinski was recognized as the first woman participant of the US-USSR Joint Oceanographic Expedition to the Bering Sea, which she considers to be the proudest moment of her career. In addition, she received a 50 Year Award from Gannon University in 2019, a Distinguished Alumni Award, Villa Maria College in Career Achievement in 1986 and a U.S. Department Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Award in 1977. Notably, Dr. Dudzinski has also been presented with a fellowship with NASA and grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

To remain aware of changes in the field, Dr. Dudzinski maintains her professional ties with the American Institute of Biological Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society for Microbiology, the American Society of Protozoologists, the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, and the New Mexico Network for Women in Science and Engineering. A respected voice in the industry, she has authored many articles published in professional journals. Looking ahead, Dr. Dudzinski looks forward to continuing to tend to her garden and keeping in touch with family members.