Ellen Dawley

Dr. Ellen Dawley is a Professor in the Department of Biology and Neuroscience at Ursinus College. She holds a B.S. from Mercy College of Detroit, M.S. from University of Michigan, and Ph.D. from University of Connecticut. Her teaching portfolio includes courses such as Issues in Ecology and Evolution, Biology of Maya Mexico, and Mammalogy.

Dr. Dawley's research focuses on two primary areas: (1) naturally occurring neurogenesis including spinal cord regeneration in autotomizing species and regeneration of chemosensory epithelia, and (2) ecology and natural history of vertebrates in Pennsylvania and Neotropical regions. Her work bridges laboratory studies of regenerative mechanisms with field-based ecological investigations.

Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on amphibian biology, with recent work exploring morphological adaptations in sensory organs and regenerative processes. The research integrates evolutionary, behavioral, and cellular approaches to understand biological adaptations.

She has mentored multiple students as research collaborators, including Samson, Matthias, Woodard, Nelsen, Lopata, Schwartz and Bierly. Dr. Dawley also directs international field courses in Costa Rica and Mexico.

Her laboratory investigates neural stem cells in amphibian models, with ongoing field research on tail regeneration in tropical lizards across Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Galápagos Islands.