Michael Dini

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Michael Dini (born 1954, Oakland, California) is a professor of biology at Texas Tech University. He received his PhD from University of Notre Dame and completed his B.S. in Biology from Saint Mary's College of California.

In 2003 Dini became the focus of criticism when he refused to write letters of recommendation for students who deny evolution.^[1] He had a lawsuit brought against him (by a student who never asked for his recommendation) and later agreed to change the wording in his letter of recommendation criteria. However, his third criterion for obtaining a letter of recommendation still states, "If you set up an appointment to discuss the writing of a letter of recommendation, I will ask you: 'How do you account for the scientific origin of the human species?' If you will not give a scientific answer to this question, then you should not seek my recommendation." According to Answers in Genesis, this criterion heavily references evolution.^[2] Dr. Dini explains his practice thus: "Scientists do not base their acceptance or rejection of theories on religion, and someone who does should not be able to become a scientist."^[3]

[edit] Publications

Sundberg, M.D. and M.L. Dini. 1993. Majors vs. nonmajors: Is there a difference? Journal of College Science Teaching 22: 299-304.
Sundberg, M.D., M.L. Dini and E. Li. 1994. Decreasing course content improves student comprehension of science and attitudes towards science in freshman biology. Journal of Research in Science Teaching 31: 679-693.
Sundberg, M.D. J. Armstrong, M. Dini and B. Wischusen. Tips for Designing and Implementing Investigative Laboratories [in press].
Dini, Michael, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999. Laboratory Manual for Biology I. Stipes Publishing Co., Champaign, IL, pp. 216.
Dini, Michael, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999. Laboratory Manual for Biology II. Stipes Publishing Co., Champaign, IL, pp. 251.