Dr. Todd Dawson

Professor

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Biography

Todd Dawson is a Distinguished Professor in the Rausser College of Natural Resources at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on the interface between plants and natural human-impacted environments, utilizing tools from physiological plant ecology, stable isotope biogeochemistry, and ecohydrology. The research group employs a diverse range of physiological methods, observations, experiments, and modeling to understand how ecophysiological characteristics of plants are shaped by their environments. Special emphasis is placed on plant form and function, exploring how plants adapt to environmental variations, both natural and anthropogenic. Research themes include examining community and ecosystem processes influenced by physiological characteristics, evaluating how limits on physiological tolerance affect adaptation, and investigating material exchange fluxes in ecosystems using stable isotope techniques. Todd has published extensively, with nearly 300 peer-reviewed papers and numerous book chapters, contributing significantly to the fields of physiological plant ecology and biogeochemistry.

Research Interests

Courses

IB 151/151L – Physiological Plant Ecology Laboratory ESPM C227 – Stable Isotope Ecology ESPM C225 – ‘Isotopics’ Graduate Reading Group IB 400 – Training Isotope Methods Mass Spectrometry

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.