Kenneth G. Davey
Spring 2017 Honorary Degree Recipient
Doctor of Laws (honoris causa)
Dr. Kenneth G. Davey is a Canadian biologist who for the past 60 years has exercised a prolific and profound influence on his own field of insect physiology and on how research is funded, organized and shared in Canada. He is known worldwide for his contributions to the fields of biology, entomology, endocrinology and physiology.
After earning both a BSc and an MSc in zoology from the University of Western Ontario, and a PhD in insect physiology from Cambridge University, Dr. Davey became Director of the Institute of Parasitology at McGill University. In 1974 he moved to York University, becoming Chair of the Department of Biology, Dean of Science, Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Fellow of the Institute of Social Research. Since 2000, Dr. Davey has been a Distinguished Research Professor of Biology Emeritus. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers and mentored more than 60 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. He has served extensively as an advisor and committee member for NSERC, CIHR, the Networks of Centres of Excellence and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and his contributions as an editor at the Canadian Journal of Zoology span 30 years.
Dr. Davey is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society. He has won three Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medals, is an Officer of the Order of Canada and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Western Ontario.Â