Alison K. Brody, PhD

The University of Vermont (UVM) Alumni Association has named Alison K. Brody the 2024 recipient of the George V. Kidder Outstanding Faculty Award. Dr. Brody is a Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology within the UVM College of Arts and Sciences.

Each year, the Kidder Award honors one full-time University of Vermont faculty member for excellence in teaching and extraordinary contributions to the enrichment of campus life. Established in memory of Dr. George V. Kidder, UVM class of 1922, this prestigious award has been presented annually since 1974. The late George Kidder served the university for more than 70 years, including as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Professor Brody embodies the spirit of the Kidder Award. She is an impeccable scholar, outstanding mentor and teacher, and generous university citizen. But more than that, Alison is incredibly kind, gracious, and giving. "This is a well-deserved honor, and the College of Arts & Sciences is thankful that it is being bestowed on such a wonderful colleague," said Bill Falls, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Some of the comments received from students and faculty colleagues about Professor Brody during the nomination process include:

"Dr. Brody's emphasis on teaching applicable skills, her encouragement to be curious about ecological relationships, and her commitment to team building have shaped my college experience and will continue to have an impact on the way that I observe and study the world around me into the future." (Student)

"Alison exemplifies the qualities we all aspire to have as teachers and mentors. She is kind, patient, compassionate, organized and wicked smart. She is an inspiration to me personally as I see students resurfacing from different corners of the world to express their gratitude to her, to the biology department, and to UVM. I can tell that much of their fondness for UVM, even our old building, comes from the lifelong friendships they have built with Alison. Alison fosters a love of place and a commitment to excellence that benefits us all tremendously." (Colleague)

"She remains a source of wisdom and guidance. I am continuously inspired by the person she is, the value that motivates her in both her personal and professional life, and the deep love that she has for the work that she does. She is one of those rare gems in the academic world who leaves their mark far beyond the classroom: the teacher whose actions and words remain an inspirational part of your life-long narrative." (Alumni)

In addition to being a biology professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, Alison Brody is a Gund Affiliate. She specializes in the study of plant-animal interactions. Her work focuses on two major questions: 1) how direct and indirect interactions among multiple species affect the ecology and evolution of host plants traits, and 2) how below-ground interactions between plants and mycorrhizal fungi affect interactions above ground among plants, pollinators, and herbivores.

For 29 years, Alison has been an outstanding, dedicated, driven, and caring faculty member at the University of Vermont. She is the epitome of the scholar-teacher and has a keen, student-oriented eye to service, all framed within the core values of high standards of academics and education. She is an incredibly supportive mentor, advisor, and research supervisor who greatly impacts her students and maintains relationships well beyond graduation.

Dr. Brody earned a B.S. in zoology from Michigan State University in 1980, a M.A. in behavioral ecology in 1984 from the University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. in entomology from the University of California, Davis in 1991. She joined the University of Vermont in 1995.