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Dr. H. Dawn Marshall
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
B.Sc. (Hons.) Memorial, Ph.D. Toronto
Office SN2102 (864-7677) Laboratory SN3006 (864-2000) E-mail dawnm@mun.ca
Gene Discovery, Functional Genomics, and Molecular Evolution in Non-Model Organisms
Research Interests
In the broader context of ecological and evolutionary functional genomics, my research interests encompass different aspects of how DNA evolves. In the first instance, DNA evolves because mutations occur and accumulate over time. Different forces interact to determine the tempo and mode of DNA evolution, including mutation rate, natural selection, and demographic factors such migration of individuals between populations and changes in population size. In my research, I investigate the tempo and mode of DNA evolution in different organisms along three interconnected trajectories: 1) gene discovery and mutational analysis, 2) the evolutionary history of mutations and rates and patterns of evolution of genes and genomes, and 3) the evolutionary history of organisms inferred from genetic variation. An integrated focus targeting both neutral and phenotypically-relevant genetic variation defines a long term unifying goal of this research. Using these themes, I explore the evolutionary genomics of different species, particularly those of conservation and/or economic importance in Newfoundland and Labrador. I am also interested in forensic and genealogy applications of DNA.
Teaching Interests
The courses I teach/co-teach include: BIOL 1001 (Principles of Biology I), BIOL 4250 (Evolutionary Genetics), and BIOL 4900/7931 (Fundamentals of Genetic Biotechnology).
