Dawn Bowdish

Dawn Bowdish is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Aging & Immunity. Her research focuses on macrophage biology, the intersection of aging and infectious diseases, and microbiome-immune system interactions.

• PhD from University of British Columbia under Prof. Bob Hancock
• Postdoctoral training at University of Oxford with Prof. Siamon Gordon

Research themes include:

• Macrophage phagocytosis mechanisms
• Nasal microbiome in aging populations
• Immune responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Aging-related immune dysfunction
• Vaccine responses in elderly populations

Her recent publications (2024-2025) emphasize inflamm-aging, microbiota-immune interactions, and macrophage functional decline in aging. Key journals include Nature Communications, Aging Cell, and Cell Host and Microbe.

Scientific awards:

• Pfizer-ASPIRE Award
• G. Jeannette Thorbecke Award (Society of Leukocyte Biology)

Current funding sources include CIHR, NSERC, Labarge Optimal Aging Initiative, and the Lung Association. Her lab investigates macrophage function in aging populations, with a focus on respiratory infections and immune homeostasis.