Dr. Jeff Dawson

Biography

Jeff Dawson is an Associate Professor and the Chair of the Department of Biology at Carleton University. He holds a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. from the University of Toronto, and a Ph.D. from Queen's University. His research interests focus on neuroethology and biomechanics, particularly in the context of animal locomotion and insect flight. Dawson studies how animals produce adaptive behaviors, especially under predation risk. He investigates how insects like moths and locusts detect the echolocation calls of bats and how these auditory signals trigger defensive mechanisms. His research aims to elucidate the auditory sensorimotor integration mechanisms and the aerodynamic control required for rapid escape maneuvers in flying insects. Through his work, he seeks to bridge seemingly disparate fields, finding collaborative opportunities and developing new technologies for studying these interactions.

Research Interests

Experience