Dawn obtained her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Pennsylvania State University in 1992. In her post-doctoral work with Dr. Charles Sherr at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (1992-1996), she studied cell cycle control and discovered the ARF tumor suppressor. She joined the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Iowa in 1997 and has led the Cancer Genes and Pathways Program in the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center since 2009. Her research is highly collaborative and primarily explores mechanisms of tumor suppression using molecular, cell biological and in vivo approaches. Outside of the laboratory, Dawn is a sports enthusiast who enjoys reading, spending time with family, getting out on the water (kayaking, sailing) and following various college sports.