Dr Deborah Dawson

School of Biosciences

Research Associate

MOL - Deborah Dawson
Profile picture of MOL - Deborah Dawson
d.a.dawson@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0106
Alfred Denny Building

Full contact details

Dr Deborah Dawson
School of Biosciences
Alfred Denny Building
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile

I have been the Manager of the since it was established in 1998. The facility supports genetic studies of the natural world, within NERCs environmental remit. Any UK researcher can apply for access to our facilities, consumables, training and expertise (projects do not need to be NERC funded). 

Each year we support ten to twenty projects at Sheffield. These cover a wide range of studies and techniques. We have supported over 250 projects from 56 institutes and provided training for over 200 PhD students. Over 500 publications have resulted from work we have supported in Sheffield, including articles in Nature and Science.

In addition to managing the facility, our staff and supervising facility-supported projects, I lead several research projects.

Research interests
  • Conservation genetics
  • Mating systems and reproductive behaviour
  • Avian sex chromosomes and genomic architecture
  • Development of markers and techniques to enhance studies of molecular ecology
  • Studies of historical and contemporary population structure & genetic bottlenecks
  • Identification of species, hybrids, molecular systematics and phylogenetics
  • Investigations of species diversity and ecosystems using environmental DNA (eDNA)
  • Studies of wildlife using non-invasive samples
  • Studies of diet and habitat quality using next-generation sequencing of faecal samples
  • Assessments of river health using eDNA samples
  • Development of markers and techniques to enhance studies of molecular ecology
  • Mating systems & behaviour
  • Genomic architecture and investigation of the avian sex chromosomes
  • Studies of historical and contemporary population structure & genetic bottlenecks
  • Identification of species, hybrids, molecular systematics & phylogenetics

Research projects and collaborators

YearProject titleCollaborators
2020PI Andrew Singer (CEH) heads a group of CoIs from around the UK
2020River ReconnectionsDr Ed Shaw (), Dr Paul Parsons (UoS)
2020Falcon ForensicsDr Lucy Webster (SASA, Scottish Government, Edinburgh), Lucy Knowles (UoS)
2019Salmon of Steel
  • Sara Peixoto (UoS, now at the University of Hull)
  • Dr Ed Shaw ()
  • Chris Firth ()
  • Neil Trudgill ()
  • Katie Burnham ()
  • Dr Ben Aston ()
  • Dr Rachel Naden ()
2018Otter distribution in the Peak District 
  • Darcie Cowap (UoS)
  • Dr Douglas Ross (UoS volunteer)
2017The diet of urban and rural otters
  • Lucy Knowles (UoS), Dr Douglas Ross (UoS volunteer)
  • Angela Maccarinelli (Dept of Archaeology, UoS)
  • John Rochester (Academic Unit of Medical Education, UoS)
  • Barry Soames (microscopic photography expert)
  • Dr Nicky Rivers, Paul Richards, Sara Blackburn & volunteers
2016The origins of badgers on the Isle of Arran
  • Tom Bellis (University of Leeds)
    Roger Cottis ()
    Dr Hannah Dugdale (University of Leeds)
2016A DNA-based survey of otters in Sheffield
  • Amy Withers (University of Leeds)
  • Dr Nicky Rivers, Paul Richards, Sara Blackburn & volunteers
  • ,
  • Dr Douglas Ross (UoS volunteer)
  • Dr Hannah Dugdale (University of Leeds)
2015A DNA study of the Sheffield Peregrines

Databases

We have created three databases:

BIRDMARKER - Identification of microsatellite markers for birds from testing primer sets in over 100 species.

Bird sex-typing - A list of the results of PCR sex-typing over 100 species of birds using various primer sets. PCR protocols are also supplied.

New microsatellites isolated - A list of the species for which we have isolated new microsatellite loci from genomic libraries.

Publications

Journal articles

  • Pillay K, Creer S, Tyers AM, Gargiulo E, Perry W, Brennan G, Dawson DA, Maher KH, Horsburgh GJ, Andrew M & Turner G (2025) . Environmental DNA, 7(4).
  • Maeda‐Obregon A, Clare EL, Zambrano L, Domínguez‐Domínguez O, Horsbrough GJ, Parsons P, Dawson DA, Tapley B, Michaels CJ, Reynoso VH , Streicher JW et al (2025) . Environmental DNA, 7(4).
  • Yu H, Moore LJ, Barlow A, Gentle LK, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Knowles L, Baker PJ, Bates A, Hicks H , Petrovan S et al (2025) . Conservation Genetics, 26(2), 391-401.
  • Elsner-Gearing F, Kretzschmar P, Shultz S, Pilgrim M, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Hruby J, Hopper J, King T & Walton C (2024) . Conservation Genetics, 25(4), 897-910.
  • Browett SS, Synnott R, O'Meara DB, Antwis RE, Browett SS, Bown KJ, Wangensteen OS, Dawson DA, Searle JB, Yearsley JM & McDevitt AD (2023) . Journal of Animal Ecology.
  • Precioso M, Molina-Morales M, Dawson DA, Burke TA & Martínez JG (2022) . Evolutionary Ecology, 36(5), 915-931.
  • Jackson HA, Percival‐Alwyn L, Ryan C, Albeshr MF, Venturi L, Morales HE, Mathers TC, Cocker J, Speak SA, Accinelli GG , Barker T et al (2022) . Conservation Biology, 36(4).
  • Thomas RC, Dunn JC, Dawson DA, Hipperson H, Horsburgh GJ, Morris AJ, Orsman C, Mallord J, Grice PV, Hamer KC , Eraud C et al (2022) . Molecular Ecology, 31(9), 2730-2751.
  • Van Eeckhoven J, Horsburgh GJ, Dawson DA, Mayer K, Bretman A & Duncan EJ (2022) . Molecular Biology Reports, 49(1), 783-788.
  • Mitchell LJ, Horsburgh GJ, Dawson DA, Maher KH & Arnold KE (2022) . Ibis, 164(1), 60-73.
  • Hobbs CS, Vega R, Rahman F, Horsburgh GJ, Dawson DA & Harvey CD (2021) . Conservation Genetics, 22(6), 855-871.
  • Pylidis C, Anijalg P, Saarma U, Dawson DA, Karaiskou N, Butlin R, Mertzanis Y, Giannakopoulos A, Iliopoulos Y, Krupa A & Burke TA (2021) . Ecology and Evolution, 11(11), 6427-6443.
  • Mordue S, Aegerter J, Mill A, Dawson DA, Crepaldi C & Wolff K (2021) . Mammalian Biology, 101(2), 233-247.
  • Garrett LJH, Myatt JP, Sadler JP, Dawson DA, Hipperson H, Colbourne JK, Dickey RC, Weber SB & Reynolds SJ (2020) . Scientific Reports, 10.
  • Hamilton PB, Lockyer AE, Uren Webster TM, Studholme DJ, Paris JR, Baynes A, Nicol E, Dawson DA, Moore K, Farbos A , Jobling S et al (2020) . Environmental Science & Technology, 54(24), 15935-15945.
  • Giraldo‐Deck LM, Goymann W, Safari I, Dawson DA, Stocks M, Burke T, Lank DB & Küpper C (2020) . Journal of Avian Biology, 51(8).
  • Langley EJG, Adams G, Beardsworth CE, Dawson DA, Laker PR, van Horik JO, Whiteside MA, Wilson AJ & Madden JR (2020) . Behavioral Ecology, 31(3), 798-806.
  • Sales NG, McKenzie MB, Drake J, Harper LR, Browett SS, Coscia I, Wangensteen OS, Baillie C, Bryce E, Dawson DA , Ochu E et al (2020) . Journal of Applied Ecology, 57(4), 707-716.
  • Lieber L, Hall G, Hall J, Berrow S, Johnston E, Gubili C, Sarginson J, Francis M, Duffy C, Wintner SP , Doherty PD et al (2020) . Scientific Reports, 10(1).
  • Dawson Pell FSE, Hatchwell BJ, Ortega-Segalerva A, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Senar JC (2020) . Molecular Biology Reports, 47(2), 1543-1550.
  • Santos TL, Fernandes C, Henley MD, Dawson DA & Mumby HS (2019) . Genes, 10(10).
  • Marjamaki PH, Dugdale HL, Dawson DA, McDonald RA, Delahay R, Burke T & Wilson AJ (2019) . Behavioral Ecology, 30(2), 301-312.
  • Bhattacharyya S, Dawson DA, Hipperson H & Ishtiaq F (2019) . Molecular Ecology, 28(2), 250-265.
  • Garrett LJH, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Reynolds SJ (2018) . BMC Res Notes, 11(86).
  • Garrett LJH, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Reynolds SJ (2017) . BMC Research Notes, 10(1).
  • Parsons PJ, Couchoux C, Horsburgh GJ, Dawson DA & Field J (2017) . BMC Research Notes, 10(1).
  • Booth Jones KA, Nicoll MAC, Raisin C, Dawson DA, Hipperson H, Horsburgh GJ, Groombridge JJ, Ismar SMH, Sweet P, Jones CG , Tatayah V et al (2017) . Molecular Ecology, 26(20), 5716-5728.
  • Mátics R, Hoffmann G, Farkas S, Dawson D, Frantz A, Varga D, Mátics E & Klein Á (2017) . Journal of Ornithology, 158(3), 811-821.
  • Dalton NJ, Horsburgh GJ & Dawson DA (2017) . BMC Research Notes, 10.
  • Moura RF, Dawson DA & Nogueira DM (2017) . Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 0-0.
  • Mira Ó, Sánchez-Prieto CB, Dawson DA, Burke T, Tinaut A & Martínez JG (2017) . Conservation Genetics, 18(4), 837-851.
  • Ball AD, van Dijk RE, Lloyd P, Pogany A, Dawson DA, Dorus S, Bowie RCK, Burke T & Szekely T (2017) . Ibis, 159(2), 449-455.
  • Dawson DA, dos Remedios N & Horsburgh GJ (2016) . Zoo Biology.
  • Engler JO, Secondi J, Dawson DA, Elle O & Hochkirch A (2016) . Ecography, 39(9), 884-893.
  • Bi G, dos Remedios N, Dawson DA, Kingma SA, Schroeder J & Dugdale HL (2016) . European Journal of Wildlife Research, 62(4), 501-509.
  • Basiita RK, Henrich Bruggemann J, Cai N, Cáliz-Campal C, Chen C, Chen J, Cizek L, Cordero PJ, Dawson DA, Ding Y , Drag L et al (2016) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 8(1), 85-87.
  • Dawson DA, Bird S, Horsburgh GJ & Ball AD (2015) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 7(4), 881-886.
  • Goossens B (2015) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 7(4), 917-944.
  • Dawson DA, Kleven O, dos Remedios N, Horsburgh GJ, Kroglund RT, Santos T & Hewitt CRA (2015) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 7(4), 887-894.
  • Williams RC, Jackson BC, Duvaux L, Dawson DA, Burke T & Sinclair W (2015) . Molecular Ecology.
  • Dawson DA, Brekke P, dos Remedios N & Horsburgh GJ (2015) . Conservation Genetics Resources.
  • Jumpa S, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Walton C (2015) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 7(2), 599-603.
  • Kim K-W, Zhang H, Horsburgh GJ, Bird S, Dawson DA, Griffith SC & Burke T (2015) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 7(4), 899-907.
  • Mortega KG, Horsburgh GJ, Illera JC & Dawson DA (2015) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 7(1), 273-278.
  • Williams RC, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Sinclair W (2015) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 7(1), 107-111.
  • Heathcote RJP, Dawson DA & Uller T (2015) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 7(1), 85-87.
  • van Dijk RE, Kaden JC, Arguelles Tico A, Dawson DA, Burke T & Hatchwell BJ (2014) . Ecology Letters, 17(9), 1141-1148.
  • Martín-Gálvez D, Molina-Morales M, Dawson DA, Parejo D, Martínez JG & Avilés JM (2014) . European Journal of Wildlife Research, 60(5), 843-850.
  • Mira Ó, Martínez JG, Dawson DA, Tinaut A & Sánchez-Prieto C (2014) . Journal of Insect Conservation, 18(5), 771-779.
  • Molina-Morales M, Martínez JG, Martín-Gálvez D, Dawson DA, Burke T & Avilés JM (2014) . Evolution, 68(10), 3020-3029.
  • Buckland S, Cole NC, Groombridge JJ, Küpper C, Burke T, Dawson DA, Gallagher LE & Harris S (2014) . PLoS One, 9(6), e93387.
  • Mori A, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Giunchi D, Baldaccini NE & Baratti M (2014) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 6(3), 751-754.
  • Engler JO, Secondi J, Dawson DA, Roderus D, Elle O & Hochkirch A (2014) . Avian Biology Research, 7(2), 91-98.
  • Razgour O, Rebelo H, Puechmaille SJ, Juste J, Ibáñez C, Kiefer A, Burke T, Dawson DA & Jones G (2014) . Diversity and Distributions.
  • Spurgin LG, Illera JC, Jorgensen TH, Dawson DA & Richardson DS (2014) . Mol Ecol, 23(5), 1028-1039.
  • Razgour O, Rebelo H, Beaumont M, Jones G, Burke T, Dawson DA, Juste J, Ibáñez C, Kiefer A, Puechmaille SJ & Arlettaz R (2013) . Ecology Letters.
  • Bristol RM, Tucker R, Dawson DA, Horsburgh G, Prys-Jones RP, Frantz AC, Krupa A, Shah NJ, Burke T & Groombridge JJ (2013) . Mol Ecol, 22(18), 4644-4662.
  • Martins FMS, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Timmons S & Jones DN (2013) . CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES, 5(4), 1179-1184.
  • Buckland S, Horsburgh GJ, Dawson DA, Cole NC, Krupa AP, Gallagher LE, Henshaw SM, Groombridge JJ & Harris S (2013) . CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES, 5(4), 1013-1018.
  • Tollington S, Jones CG, Greenwood A, Tatayah V, Raisin C, Burke T, Dawson DA & Groombridge JJ (2013) . Biological Conservation, 161, 28-38.
  • Holland LP, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Krupa AP & Stevens JR (2013) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 5(3), 825-829.
  • Mills CA, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Godley BJ & Hodgson DJ (2013) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 5(3), 687-692.
  • Dawson DA, Ball AD, Spurgin LG, Martín-Gálvez D, Stewart IRK, Horsburgh GJ, Potter J, Molina-Morales M, Bicknell AWJ, Preston SAJ , Ekblom R et al (2013) . BMC Genomics, 14, 176.
  • Holland LP, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Stevens JR (2013) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 5(3), 767-770.
  • Kleven O, Dawson DA, Gjershaug JO, Horsburgh GJ, Jacobsen KO & Wabakken P (2013) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 5(3), 723-727.
  • Preston SAJ, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Hatchwell BJ (2013) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 5(2), 555-560.
  • Alfadala S, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Behnke JM, Bajer A, Mohallal EME, Zalat S & Slate J (2013) . Conservation Genetics Resources, 5(2), 519-524.
  • Molina-Morales M, Gabriel Martínez J, Martín-Gálvez D, A Dawson D, Rodríguez-Ruiz J, Burke T & Avilés JM (2013) . J Anim Ecol, 82(2), 389-398.
  • Farrell LL, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Burke T & Lank DB (2012) . CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES, 4(3), 763-771.
  • Salmona J, Salamolard M, Fouillot D, Ghestemme T, Larose J, Centon JF, Sousa V, Dawson DA, Thebaud C & Chikhi L (2012) . Plos One, 7(8).
  • Vangestel C, Mergeay J, Dawson DA, Callens T, Vandomme V & Lens L (2012) . Heredity, 109(3), 163-172.
  • Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Krupa AP, Stewart IRK, Skjelseth S, Jensen H, Ball AD, Spurgin LG, Mannarelli M-E, Nakagawa S , Schroeder J et al (2012) . Mol Ecol Resour, 12(3), 501-523.
  • Jan C, Dawson DA, Altringham JD, Burke T & Butlin RK (2012) . Mol Ecol Resour, 12(3), 532-548.
  • Hansson B, Tarka M, Dawson DA & Horsburgh GJ (2012) . PLoS One, 7(2), e31667.
  • Smith JA, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Reynolds SJ (2012) . CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES, 4(3), 605-612.
  • Schroeder J, Burke T, Mannarelli M-E, Dawson DA & Nakagawa S (2012) . J Evol Biol, 25(1), 149-156.
  • Barratt CD, Horsburgh GJ, Dawson DA, Gower DJ, Wilkinson M, Loader SP & Jehle R (2012) . CONSERVATION GENETICS RESOURCES, 4(2), 225-229.
  • Brekke P, Wang J, Bennett PM, Cassey P, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Ewen JG (2012) Postcopulatory mechanisms of inbreeding avoidance in the island endemic hihi (Notiomystis cincta). Behavioral Ecology, 23(2), 278-284.
  • Vangestel C, Mergeay J, Dawson DA, Vandomme V & Lens L (2011) . Mol Ecol, 20(22), 4643-4653.
  • Whiteside HM, Dawson DA, Soulsbury CD & Harris S (2011) . PLOS ONE, 6(7).
  • Annavi G, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Greig C, Dugdale HL, Newman C, Macdonald DW & Burke T (2011) . CONSERV GENET RESOUR, 3(3), 515-518.
  • Vangestel C, Mergeay J, Dawson DA, Vandomme V & Lens L (2011) . PLOS ONE, 6(7).
  • Phillips RA, McGill RAR, Dawson DA & Bearhop S (2011) . Marine Biology, 158(10), 2199-2208.
  • Bicknell AWJ, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Knight ME, Bilton DT & Votier SC (2011) . CONSERV GENET RESOUR, 3(4), 711-716.
  • Martín-Gálvez D, Peralta-Sánchez JM, Dawson DA, Martín-Platero AM, Martínez-Bueno M, Burke T & Soler JJ (2011) . Mol Ecol Resour, 11(3), 481-493.
  • Jan CMI, Frith K, Glover AM, Butlin RK, Scott CD, Greenaway F, Ruedi M, Frantz AC, Dawson DA & Altringham JD (2010) . Acta Chiropterologica, 12(2), 471-483.
  • Küpper C, Kosztolányi A, Augustin J, Dawson DA, Burke T & Székely T (2010) . Mol Ecol, 19(23), 5172-5185.
  • Harrison XA, Tregenza T, Inger R, Colhoun K, Dawson DA, Gudmundsson GA, Hodgson DJ, Horsburgh GJ, McElwaine G & Bearhop S (2010) . Mol Ecol, 19(24), 5484-5496.
  • Durrant KL, Dawson DA, Burke T & Birkhead TR (2010) . AUK, 127(4), 832-840.
  • Bourke BP, Frantz AC, Lavers CP, Davison A, Dawson DA & Burke TA (2010) . CONSERV GENET, 11(5), 1837-1846.
  • Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Kupper C, Stewart IRK, Ball AD, Durrant KL, Hansson B, Bacon I, Bird S, Klein A , Krupa AP et al (2010) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 10(3), 475-494.
  • Olano-Marin J, Dawson DA, Girg A, Hansson B, Ljungqvist M, Kempenaers B & Mueller JC (2010) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 10(3), 516-532.
  • Ball AD, Stapley J, Dawson DA, Birkhead TR, Burke T & Slate J (2010) . BMC Genomics, 11, 218.
  • dos Remedios N, Lee PLM, Szekely T, Dawson DA & Küpper C (2010) Molecular sex-typing in shorebirds: a review of an essential method for research in evolution, ecology and conservation.. Wader Study Group Bulletin, 117, 109-118.
  • Salmona J, Dawson DA, Fouillot D, Ghestemme T, Thebaud C, Chikhi L & Salamolard M (2010) The utility of existing passerine microsatellite markers for genetic studies in endangered species: as demonstrated for a critically endangered forest bird endemic to Réunion Island, the Réunion cuckooshrike (Coracina newtoni). Conservation Genetics Resources, 1-4.
  • Harrison XA, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Tregenza T & Bearhop S (2010) Isolation, characterisation and predicted genome locations of Light-bellied Brent goose (Branta bernicla hrota) microsatellite loci (Anatidae, AVES). Conservation Genetics Resources, 1-7.
  • Pillay K, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Perrin MR, Burke T & Taylor TD (2010) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 10(1), 142-149.
  • Lifjeld JT, Marthinsen G, Myklebust M, Dawson DA & Johnsen A (2010) . J ORNITHOL, 151(2), 513-517.
  • Hansson B, Ljungqvist M, Dawson DA, Mueller JC, Olano-Marin J, Ellegren H & Nilsson JA (2010) . HEREDITY, 104(1), 67-78.
  • Martin-Galvez D, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Burke T (2009) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 9(6), 1506-1512.
  • Klein A, Horsburgh GJ, Kupper C, Major A, Lee PLM, Hoffmann G, Matics R & Dawson DA (2009) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 9(6), 1513-1519.
  • Simeoni M, Dawson DA, Gentle LK, Coiffait L, Wolff K, Evans KL, Gaston KJ & Hatchwell BJ (2009) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 9(6), 1520-1526.
  • Ahmed S, Hart T, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Trathan PN & Rogers AD (2009) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 9(6), 1530-1535.
  • Lucas ER, Horsburgh GJ, Dawson DA & Field J (2009) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 9(6), 1493-1497.
  • Groombridge JJ, Dawson DA, Burke T, Prys-Jones R, Brooke MD & Shah N (2009) . BIOL CONSERV, 142(10), 2250-2257.
  • Evans KL, Gaston KJ, Frantz AC, Simeoni M, Sharp SP, McGowan A, Dawson DA, Walasz K, Partecke J, Burke T & Hatchwell BJ (2009) . Proc Biol Sci, 276(1666), 2403-2410.
  • Raisin C, Dawson DA, Greenwood AG, Jones CG & Groombridge JJ (2009) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 9(4), 1231-1235.
  • Brekke P, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Ewen JG (2009) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 9(4), 1255-1258.
  • (2009) . Molecular Ecology Resources, 9(4), 1274-1275.
  • Lee J-W, Jang B-S, Dawson DA, Burke T & Hatchwell BJ (2009) . Mol Ecol, 18(12), 2728-2739.
  • Phillips RA, Bearhop S, Mcgill RAR & Dawson DA (2009) . OECOLOGIA, 160(4), 795-806.
  • Bataille A, Horsburgh GJ, Dawson DA, Cunningham AA & Goodman SJ (2009) . Infect Genet Evol, 9(5), 971-975.
  • Johanet A, Picard D, Garner TWJ, Dawson DA, Morales-Hojas R, Jehle R, Peltier D & Lemaire C (2009) . CONSERV GENET, 10(6), 1903-1906.
  • Meares K, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Glenn TC, Jones KL, Braun MJ, Perrin MR & Taylor TD (2009) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 9(1), 308-311.
  • Craul M, Dawson DA, Radespiel U, Zimmermann E & Bruford MW (2009) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 9(1), 333-335.
  • Küpper C, Burke T, Székely T & Dawson DA (2008) . BMC Genomics, 9, 502.
  • Huck M, Frantz AC, Dawson DA, Burke T & Roper TJ (2008) . J ANIM ECOL, 77(5), 905-915.
  • Bretman A, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ & Tregenza T (2008) . MOL ECOL RESOUR, 8(5), 1015-1019.
  • Brownlow RJ, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Bell JJ & Fish JD (2008) . BMC Genet, 9, 55.
  • Douaud M, Feve K, Gerus M, Fillon V, Bardes S, Gourichon D, Dawson DA, Hanotte O, Burke T, Vignoles F , Morisson M et al (2008) . BMC GENOMICS, 9.
  • Meares K, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Perrin MR, Burke T & Taylor TD (2008) . CONSERV GENET, 9(5), 1363-1367.
  • Dawnay N, Ogden R, Thorpe RS, Pope LC, Dawson DA & McEwing R (2008) . FORENSIC SCI INT-GEN, 2(1), 47-53.
  • Struebig MJ, Horsburgh GJ, Pandhal J, Triggs A, Zubaid A, Kingston T, Dawson DA & Rossiter SJ (2008) . CONSERV GENET, 9(3), 751-756.
  • Simeoni M, Dawson DA, Ross DJ, Chaline N, Burke T & Hatchwell BJ (2007) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 7(6), 1319-1322.
  • Tingay RE, Dawson DA, Pandhal J, Clarke ML, David VA, Hailer F & Culver M (2007) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 7(4), 711-715.
  • Dawson DA, Akesson M, Burke T, Pemberton JM, Slate J & Hansson B (2007) . MOL BIOL EVOL, 24(7), 1537-1552.
  • Ahmed S, Dawson DA, Compton SG & Gilmartin PM (2007) Characterization of microsatellite loci in the African fig Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae). MOL ECOL NOTES, 7(6), 1175-1177.
  • Griffith SC, Dawson DA, Jensen H, Ockendon N, Greig C, Neumann K & Burke T (2007) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 7(2), 333-336.
  • Meglecz E, Anderson SJ, Bourguet D, Butcher R, Caldas A, Cassel-Lundhagen A, Coeur d'Acier A, Dawson DA, Faure N, Fauvelot C , Franck P et al (2007) . INSECT MOL BIOL, 16(2), 175-185.
  • Kupper C, Horsburgh GJ, Dawson DA, Ffrench-Constant R, Szekely T & Burke T (2007) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 7(1), 35-39.
  • Bourke BP & Dawson DA (2006) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 6(4), 1047-1050.
  • Rossiter SJ, Ransome RD, Faulkes CG, Dawson DA & Jones G (2006) . MOL ECOL, 15(10), 3035-3043.
  • Johnson PCD, Webster LMI, Adam A, Buckland R, Dawson DA & Keller LF (2006) . MOL BIOCHEM PARASIT, 148(2), 210-218.
  • Bearhop S, Phillips RA, McGill R, Cherel Y, Dawson DA & Croxall JP (2006) Stable isotopes indicate sex-specific and long-term individual foraging specialisation in diving seabirds. MAR ECOL-PROG SER, 311, 157-164.
  • Dawson DA, Burke T, Hansson B, Pandhal J, Hale MC, Hinten GN & Slate J (2006) . Mol Ecol, 15(5), 1299-1320.
  • Anderson SJ, Dawson DA & Freeland JR (2006) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 6(1), 104-106.
  • Gunn MR, Dawson DA, Leviston A, Hartnup K, Davis CS, Strobeck C, Slate J & Coltman DW (2005) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 5(3), 650-653.
  • Dawson DA, Hunter FM, Pandhal J, Buckland R, Parham A, Jones IL, Bradshaw M, Jehle R & Burke T (2005) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 5(2), 289-297.
  • Dawson DA, Chittock JC, Jehle R, Whitlock A, Nogueira D, Pellatt J, Birkhead T & Burke T (2005) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 5(2), 298-301.
  • Carpenter PJ, Pope LC, Greig C, Dawson DA, Rogers LM, Erven K, Wilson GJ, Delahay RJ, Cheeseman CL & Burke T (2005) . Mol Ecol, 14(1), 273-284.
  • Dawson DA, Rossiter SJ, Jones G & Faulkes CG (2004) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 4(1), 96-100.
  • Carpenter PJ, Dawson DA, Greig C, Parham A, Cheeseman CL & Burke T (2003) Isolation of 39 polymorphic microsatellite loci and the development of a fluorescently labelled marker set for the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) (Carnivora : Mustelidae). MOL ECOL NOTES, 3(4), 610-615.
  • Wilhelm K, Dawson DA, Gentle LK, Horsfield GF, Schlotterer C, Greig C, East M, Hofer H, Tautz D & Burke T (2003) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 3(3), 360-362.
  • Evans LM, Dawson DA, Wall R, Burke T & Stevens J (2003) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 3(3), 420-424.
  • Berg PR, Dawson DA, Pandhal J, Kirkendall LR & Burke T (2003) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 3(2), 270-273.
  • Dawson DA, Bretman AJ & Tregenza T (2003) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 3(2), 191-195.
  • Dawson DA, Burland TM, Douglas A, Le Comber SC & Bradshaw M (2003) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 3(2), 199-202.
  • Jump AS, Dawson DA, James CM, Woodward FI & Burke T (2002) Isolation of polymorphic microsatellites in the stemless thistle (Cirsium acaule) and their utility in other Cirsium species. MOL ECOL NOTES, 2(4), 589-592.
  • Dawson DA & Wilcock HR (2002) . MOL ECOL NOTES, 2(4), 514-517.
  • Phillips RA, Dawson DA & Ross DJ (2002) . The Auk, 119(3), 858-863.
  • Phillips RA, Dawson DA & Ross DJ (2002) Mating patterns and reversed size dimorphism in Southern Skuas (Stercorarius skua lonnbergi). AUK, 119(3), 858-863.
  • Krupa AP, Jehle R, Dawson DA, Gentle LK, Gibbs M, Arntzen JW & Burke T (2002) . Conservation Genetics, 3(1), 85-87.
  • Krupa AP, Jehle R, Dawson DA, Gentle LK, Gibbs M, Arntzen JW & Burke T (2002) Microsatellite loci in the crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and their utility in other newt taxa. CONSERV GENET, 3(1), 87-89.
  • Phillips RA & Dawson DA (2002) . The Auk, 119(3), 858-863.
  • Dawson DA, Darby S, Hunter FM, Krupa AP, Jones IL & Burke T (2001) A critique of avian CHD-based molecular sexing protocols illustrated by a Z-chromosome polymorphism detected in auklets. MOL ECOL NOTES, 1(3), 201-204.
  • Richardson DS, Jury FL, Dawson DA, Salgueiro P, Komdeur J & Burke T (2000) . Mol Ecol, 9(12), 2226-2231.
  • Dawson DA, Hanotte O, Greig C, Stewart IRK & Burke T (2000) Polymorphic microsatellites in the blue tit Parus caeruleus and their cross-species utility in 20 songbird families. MOL ECOL, 9(11), 1941-1944.
  • Griffith SC, Stewart IRK, Dawson DA, Owens IPF & Burke T (1999) Contrasting levels of extra-pair paternity in mainland and island populations of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus): is there an 'island effect'?. BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, 68(1-2), 303-316.
  • Morisson M, Plisson-Petit F, Dawson D, Pitel F, Fillon V, Gellin J, Burke T & Vignal A (1999) Characterisation of 33 chicken microsatellite loci: 20 new locations on reference maps. ANIM GENET, 30(5), 391-393.
  • Wardle A, Dawson D, Gibbs M, Parham A & Burke T (1999) Further development of chicken microsatellite loci: 21 markers mapped. ANIM GENET, 30(3), 238-241.
  • McConnell SKJ, Dawson DA, Wardle A & Burke T (1999) The isolation and mapping of 19 tetranucleotide microsatellite markers in the chicken. ANIM GENET, 30(3), 183-189.
  • Martinez JG, Burke T, Dawson D, Soler JJ, Soler M & Moller AP (1998) Microsatellite typing reveals mating patterns in the brood parasitic great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius). MOL ECOL, 7(3), 289-297.
  • Dawson D, McConnell S, Wardle A, Gibbs M & Burke T (1998) Characterization and mapping of 15 novel chicken microsatellite loci.. Anim Genet, 29(2), 159-160.
  • Gibbs M, Dawson DA, McCamley C, Wardle AF, Armour JA & Burke T (1997) Chicken microsatellite markers isolated from libraries enriched for simple tandem repeats.. Anim Genet, 28(6), 401-417.
  • Gibbs M, Dawson DA, McCamley C, Wardle AF, Burke T & Armour JAL (1997) . Animal Genetics, 28(6), 401-417.
  • Double MC, Dawson D, Burke T & Cockburn A (1997) Finding the fathers in the least faithful bird: A microsatellite-based genotyping system for the superb fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus. MOL ECOL, 6(7), 691-693.
  • Gibbs M, Dawson DA, McCamley C, Wardle AF, Burke T & Armour JAL (1997) . Animal Genetics, 28(6), 401-417.
  • Hanotte O, Pugh A, Maücher C, Dawson D & Burke T (1997) Nine novel chicken microsatellite loci and their utility in other Galliformes.. Anim Genet, 28(4), 311-313.
  • Gibbs M, Dawson D, McCamley C & Burke T (1995) . Anim Genet, 26(6), 443-444.
  • TINGAY RE, DAWSON DA, PANDHAL J, CLARKE ML, DAVID VA, HAILER F & CULVER M () . Molecular Ecology Notes, 0(0), 070621074211164-???.
  • Dawson DA, J. Bretman A & Tregenza T () . Molecular Ecology Notes, 0(0), 070621074211210-070621074211210.

Preprints

  • Elsner-Gearing F, Kretzschmar P, Shultz S, Pilgrim M, Dawson D, Horsburgh G, Hruby J, Hopper J, King T & Walton C (2023) , Wiley.
  • Browett SS, Synnott R, O’Meara DB, Antwis RE, Browett SS, Bown KJ, Wangensteen OS, Dawson DA, Searle JB, Yearsley JM & McDevitt AD (2022) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  • Thomas R, Dunn J, Dawson D, Hipperson H, Horsburgh G, Morris A, Orsman C, Mallord J, Grice P, Hamer KC , Eraud C et al (2022) , Wiley.
  • Guimarães Sales N, McKenzie MB, Drake J, Harper LR, Browett SS, Coscia I, Wangensteen OS, Baillie C, Bryce E, Dawson DA , Ochu E et al (2019) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Research group
NameDateStatusInstituteProject title
Jennifer Stagg2024 - 2025MRes Student University of SheffieldWater vole monitoring to support conservation (in collaboration with the )
Louise Gibney2023 - 2024MRes Student University of SheffieldOtter Dispersal and Barriers to Movement in the Peak District
Lucy Knowles2020Research TechnicianUniversity of SheffieldFalcon Forensics
Dr Paul Parsons2020Research TechnicianUniversity of SheffieldRiver Reconnections
Sara Peixoto2019Erasmus+ InterneeVisiting from the University of Porto, PortugalDeveloping eDNA approaches to monitor biodiversity in the waterways surrounding Sheffield
Darcie Cowap2018 - 2019MRes StudentDept of Animal & Plant Sciences, University of SheffieldA DNA-based assessment of otter numbers and seasonal movement in the Peak District
Lucy Knowles2017 - 2018MRes StudentDept of Animal & Plant Sciences, University of SheffieldA comparison of the diet of urban and rural otters using next-generation sequencing
Amy Withers2017MSc Student
Joint supervisor: Dr Hannah Dugdale		Visiting from the University of LeedsThe distribution of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) on the river Don in Sheffield
(In collaboration with the )
Tom Bellis2017MSc Student
Joint supervisor: Dr Hannah Dugdale		Visiting from the University of LeedsGenetic origins of the badger population on the Isle of Arran, Scotland
(In collaboration with )
Brian Hanotte2017Undergraduate Summer VolunteerVisiting from Bangor University, WalesA DNA study of the diet of Pine Marten (Martes martes) on the Isle of Skye, Scotland
Dr Sabuj Bhattacharyya2016 - 2017British Commonwealth FellowVisiting Sheffield from the Indian Institute of Science
Gracie Adams2015Undergraduate Summer VolunteerDept of Biomedical Sciences, University of SheffieldAssessment of microsatellite markers for parentage and population studies of the Asian elephant Elephas maximus
Teresa Santos2013 - 2014Erasmus Research InterneeVisiting from the University of Aveiro, PortugalAssessing genetic markers for studying and comparing shrew populations and mating systems.
Filipa Martins2011Leonardo ScholarshipVisiting from the University of Lisbon, PortugalGenetic studies of the Australian Brush-turkey Alectura lathami (Megapodiidae, AVES)
Ged Poland2010MSc Student
Joint Supervisor: Dr Umberto Albarella		Department of Archaeology, University of SheffieldAssigning sex to avian osteological remains: a review of current methods and an investigation into a novel, independent, biomolecular method.
Anna Bone2010Undergraduate Summer VolunteerVisiting from the University of OxfordAssessment of microsatellite markers for parentage and population studies of birds of prey
Alex Ball2009MSc Student
Joint Supervisor: Prof Terry Burke		Dept of Animal & Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield.Recombination levels and gene order in the zebra finch homologues of the chicken chromosomes Gga1, Gga2 and Gga9
Teaching interests

I supervise and support facility-funded projects and provide one-to-one training as required. I am keen to encourage and facilitate knowledge exchange.

I manage and contribute to training courses including introducing Molecular Ecology Techniques - in which I present lectures covering marker development, DNA profiling, genetic sex-typing, data validation and an introduction to parentage and population analyses.

Teaching activities

I take part in numerous outreach events during the year to showcase the work we do at the University.

Presentations in 2020 (postponed): 

13th March 2020 - Discovery Night, EVENT UoS, Who dung it, Fishing for DNA, Amazing Otters

20th October 2020 - GHS, Grindleford, TALK - The Return of the Otter to the Peak District 

16th November 2020 - , Darley Dale, TALK - The Return of the Otter

Past events:

 at Victoria Quays, Sheffield (2019).

Discovery Night at the University of Sheffield (2018 & 2019).

Nature Detectives at , Sheffield (2018).

The Sheffield Peregrine Evening with the  (2017 & 2018).

Sheffield's  Bioblitz  and .

 events, including  at Rutland Water (2018 & 2019).     

Our  have invoked a lot of public interest. I have presented lectures discussing our research on otters to the public at numerous venues. I have also contributed to articles in local and national newspapers and been interviewed on BBC Radio4, RadioSheffield and RadioDerby.

Professional activities and memberships
  • 1996–98:  Research Associate, Department of Biology (Zoology), University of Leicester
  • 1996-97: Research Associate, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Israel
  • 1994–96: Research Assistant, Department of Zoology, University of Leicester
  • 1991–94: Research Technician, Department of Genetics, University of Leicester
In the news

Links

  Salmon of Steel  Sheffield Peregrines  Otter Conservation  Bird Sexing