Robin Dawson

Senior researcher with years of experience in molecular environmental microbiology. I am a creative problem-solver who enjoys the challenge of managing and developing multiple projects. Over the course of my PhD and postdoctoral work, I have become an expert in the study of bacterial metabolism, both in the lab and through 'omics-based analyses. My expertise in academic writing has led to the publication of many first-author papers and reviews. 

As a Senior Research Associate, I have used a range of techniques to study the metabolism of climate-active gases. These include metabolomics, gas chromatography (conventional, chiral, and mass spectrometry), proteomics and transcriptomics. I am an expert in molecular genetics, using targeted mutagenesis to elucidate the metabolism of isoprene by bacteria. I am an expert in scientific communication, having presented my work to a range of audiences over a number of years. Further to this, I have a strong track record in academic writing, having authored/co-authored seven manuscripts since 2020. 

09/2022-Present: Elucidating the physiology and biochemistry of carboxydovores from volcanic soils, Senior Research Associate, University of East Anglia

Optimisation of techniques leading to the retrieval of high-quality DNA from extreme soils, such as arctic and volcanic sediments. Microbial community analysis was achieved through amplicon sequencing and metagenomics. I examined the physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and regulation of carbon monoxide (CO) oxidising bacteria. Key duties involved developing techniques to enrich, isolate and characterise novel CO-oxidising bacteria from volcanic soils.

09/2021-08/2022: Molecular and biochemical characterisation of isoprene metabolism by Variovorax sp. WS11, Senior Research Associate, University of East Anglia

I optimised and executed a transcriptomics experiment which revealed the cellular changes associated with isoprene metabolism. Guided by ‘omics analysis, I predicted the entire isoprene metabolic pathway and prepared targeted mutants to verify this pathway. Using a Cre-lox system, I deleted all native isoprene metabolism genes and developed an expression strain for homologous protein expression. 

Ph.D.: 2017 – 2021: Molecular and biochemical characterisation of isoprene metabolism by Variovorax sp. WS11, University of East Anglia. Supervisor: Prof J. Colin Murrell

Studying the physiological, molecular and biochemical basis for isoprene metabolism in the novel bacterium Variovorax sp. WS11. Biochemical approaches included cell extract preparation, enzyme activity assays in whole cells, and proteomics analysis. I developed genetic techniques for this bacterium, permitting study of isoprene metabolism through targeted mutagenesis. I optimised RNA extraction protocols and conducted RT-qPCR experiments, revealing the regulation of this metabolism

MRes: 2016 – 2017: Molecular Microbiology, Nottingham Trent University: Distinction. Supervisor: Dr Jody Winter

Gained significant experience in molecular techniques such as PCR, cloning, and transformation of bacteria. Conducted a seven-month research project, studying The role of membrane vesicles in antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori. Gained experience in the culture of fastidious organisms under microaerobic conditions, membrane vesicle extraction and purification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, survival, and MIC assays.

BSc: 2013 – 2016: BSc Microbiology, Nottingham Trent University: First Class Honours. Supervisors: Dr Jessica Dale & Dr Stephanie McArdle

I was the highest scoring of all BSc Microbiology students in my first, second and third years. Across over 500 hours in the lab, I used various microbiology and cell biology techniques, biochemical assays such as the calculation of specific activity, and molecular assays such as ELISA. I conducted a research project into The role of DDX5 in Chemotherapy Resistance in Breast Cancer, at the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, gaining experience in human cell culture, western blotting and fluorescence microscopy. I was awarded the Susan Smith Award for Academic Excellence, the Microbiology Society Undergraduate Microbiology Award, and the Yakult Prize for achievement in Microbiology.

2006 – 2013: South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College

Three A levels in Biology, Maths and Chemistry (B, B, C), eleven GCSEs (A*-B) including a Merit in OCR Information and Communication Technology, through which I have gained expertise in applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.