Prof Dixon is a Highly Cited Researcher (2022) specialising in the ecology, restoration and conservation biology of Australian native plants and ecosystems.  With over 40 years’ experience leading research teams in partnership with industry, Prof Dixon has transformed restoration and conservation outcomes across the country. His decades of success in applied research outcomes saw him recognised as WA Scientist of the Year (2016) and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (2020). Most recently, Prof Dixon was a leading member of the team that has been awarded the 2022 Ecological Impact Award by the Ecological Society of Australia for guiding the national conservation and restoration response to the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires. He also supervised the Highly Commended citation recipient in these awards.

His most recognised and transformational research is the discovery of smoke-stimulated germination of Australian plant species, which led to the subsequent discovery of the active agent in smoke responsible for plant germination (karrikins – a new class of phytohormones in plants). This research is currently continuing across seven post-doctoral programs. The discovery in 2011 of cyanonitrile as a germination agent in post-fire species has resulted in the first demonstration of a natural role for cyanide in soils, leading to continuing research into the action of cyanide moieties in dormancy control.

As the Foundation Director of Kings Park Science, Prof Dixon formed and led the group for 32 years and was responsible for the development and delivery of internationally-recognised science innovation and industry-ready benefits in restoration ecology, conservation genetics, biotechnology, marine and terrestrial conservation, seed science and taxonomy. Under his leadership, the Kings Park Science became a world-leading model for leveraging conservation science, with more than 40 research scientists and graduate research students as well as international collaborations with Fullbright Fellows, overseas scientific sabbatical researchers and international research students.  These achievements resulted in him being made a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London, with award of the Linnean Medal for Botany 2013.