Professor
Office Location
1316 Plant Sciences Laboratory, MC-634
1201 South Dorner Drive
Urbana, Illinois 61801
Phone: 217-333-9281
Email: jdawson2@uiuc.edu
Education
Ph.D., Forest Biology, Iowa State University, 1978
M. S., Iowa State University, 1973
B. S., Iowa State University, 1971
Areas of Expertise
Soil Biology, Conservation & Reclamation, Plant Biology, Plant Ecology & Natural Resource Management
Faculty member since 1977
How I got interested in this field
Growing up I enjoyed exploring the forests and wetlands of the Missouri River floodplain and the adjacent bluffs near my home. My interest in biology was piqued by reading Charles Darwin's "Origin of the Species" and the gift of a microscope at a young age. I became an advocate of the theory of evolution and engaged in debates in its favor with my eighth grade teacher who was certain that she had not developed from an ape-like primate, although she said that she could not with certainty say the same for me. The microscope led to my hanging out with scum, pond scum that is, and I would spend time with my scummy friends, the protozoa and algae. My family had an open pass for travel on the Union Pacific Railroad, which employed my father, so I spent time visiting relatives in California and Oregon as well as camping, canoeing, and fishing in both the north central and western U.S. After high school's Darwinian challenges, I began university studies in biology and biochemistry with the goal of becoming a doctor. Probably because of my combined interests in biology and outdoor activities, I immediately gravitated towards the natural sciences and natural resource management, obtaining degrees in natural resources and forest science and actually working on a Ph.D. project on the physiology and ecology of a nitrogen fixing tree species of alder, and its microbial symbiont. Thus I returned full circle to earlier times spent in the woods and also peeking in on the microbial flora and fauna with the gift microscope.
Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
Research Interests
My primary research focus has been the ecophysiology of non-leguminous, woody plants that fix nitrogen symbiotically with a root-nodulating actinomycete of the genus Frankia. These actinorhizal trees and shrubs are important in the nitrogen economies of forests, rangelands, deserts, and wetlands worldwide. Some species, such as alder trees, are valuable timber crops. Others are used as fuelwood, for reclamation of disturbed lands such as minespoils, in agroforestry, in wildlife habitat management, and as components of the urban landscape. Other research interests in forest biology include forest ecology, tree physiology, soil microbiology, silviculture, and urban forestry.
Other related activities
Gubernatorial appointee to, and Vice-Chair of, the Illinois Forestry Development Council, research associate of The Morton Arboretum, University appointee to the International Arid Lands Consortium's Research and Demonstration Advisory Committee and its Technical Advisory Committee for USAID-sponsored projects, affiliate of the Department of Plant Biology, Chair of the Society of American Foresters Tree Physiology Working Group, Managing Editor of the "Illinois Steward" magazine, University representative on the Board of the International Walnut Council.
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