He was recently appointed as a Distinguished Professor of Education Leadership and Policy at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and a Distinguished Scientist in the School of Brain and Behavior Sciences at the University of Texas, Dallas.
Current PositionsPresident and CEO, Synergistic Education Solutions
Distinguished Professor of Education Leadership and Policy
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
Distinguished Scientist, Center for Brain Health
School of Brain and Behavior Sciences
University of Texas, Dallas
Over the past 30 years, Dr. Lyon has had a wide range of professional responsibilities including his contributions as a research scientist, professor, classroom teacher, special education teacher, neuropsychologist, school psychologist, and leader in the development of evidence-based education policy at federal and state levels. Dr. Lyon founded Synergistic Education Solutions, an educational resource that provides consulting services to improve educational research, instruction and policies at national and state levels. From 1992 until 2005, Dr. Lyon served as a research psychologist and the Chief of the Child Development and Behavior Branch within the National Institute of Child health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) where he was responsible for the direction, development and management of research programs in developmental and cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, behavioral pediatrics, reading development and disabilities, learning disabilities, early childhood development and school readiness.
While at the National Institute of Health, Dr. Lyon worked closely with the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, and Congress on the development of evidence-based education policy. From 2001 until 2005, he served as an advisor on education research and policies to President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush in addition to directing his programs at the NIH. Dr. Lyon has testified numerous times before U.S. Senate and House committees, addressing issues related to the role of neuroscience in education, the need for scientific research to guide educational practices and policies, evidence-based teacher education, early childhood development, learning disabilities, reading development and reading disorders, the re-authorization of Head Start, and the re-authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act. In 2006, Dr. Lyon was named one of the ten most influential people in American education during the last decade by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center (Education Week) for his work in ensuring that scientific research occupies a central role in educational practices and policy.
Dr. Lyon received his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in 1978 with a dual concentration in Special Education (learning disabilities and disorders) and psychology (developmental neuropsychology). He served on the faculties of the University of Alabama - Birmingham (Special Education and Educational Psychology), Northwestern University (Communication Science and Disorders) and the University of Vermont School Of Medicine (Neurology). He has authored, co-authored and edited more than 130 peer reviewed journal articles, books, and book chapters on developmental neuroscience, learning differences and disabilities, reading and reading difficulties, and educational policy.
Dr. Lyon has appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, and National Public Radio to discuss issues relevant to education, child development, and educational research and policies. From 1967 until 1970, Dr. Lyon served as a United States Army paratrooper with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and in Vietnam from February 1968 to May, 1969. He participated in several major campaigns and combat operations and received the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (Unit), among other decorations.