Catherine Dawson
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Catherine Dawson is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the EcoDNA team and ARC Training Centre for Plant Biosecurity, working on the project "Determining provenance of biosecurity pests using new genomic technologies".
Catherine has experience in the design and development of molecular assays for detecting target organisms in complex eDNA samples, using techniques such as qPCR, LAMP, and CRISPR-Cas based technologies. She also has experience using next generation sequencing platforms, such as Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina, to perform DNA sequencing and downstream comparative genomic analyses. In previous roles, she has collaborated with industry partners and government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the CSIRO, to translate academic research into practical solutions that address stakeholder needs. In her current role, she is focused on applying emerging genomic technologies to determine the provenance of biosecurity pathogens and pests, supporting Australia's plant biosecurity framework.
Outside of work, Catherine enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog, rock climbing, mountain biking, and cycling.
Meet our other team members
We are a multidisciplinary team providing DNA-based solutions, training and products to support the uptake of eDNA in biosecurity and biodiversity applications.
