Education:
2011 Ph.D. Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
2006 M.S. Biotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
2002 Certification, Animal Care Specialist, Professional Career Development Institute, Norcross, GA
2001 B.S. Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Research Interests:
Dr. Lawson's research interests are focused on comparative analysis of differentially expressed genes related to abiotic stress tolerance and wood formation in tropical hardwood and Central Hardwoods Region forest tree populations. Dr. Lawson's methodologies involve use of -omics, in silica, ex vitro, and molecular-based data acquisition aided by field experimentation.
Current Research Models: koa (Acacia koa), black walnut (Juglans nigra), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra).
Dr. Shaneka Lawson's HTIRC profile page
Facilities -
Genomics Lab
Related Centers - Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC)
Selected Research Publications:
Ebrahimi A, Lawson SS, Frank GS, Coggeshall M, Woeste K, McKenna J. 2018. Pollen flow and paternity in an isolated and non-isolated black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) timber seed orchard. PLoS ONE https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207861
Lawson SS, Ebrahimi A. 2018. Identification of Acacia koa and Acacia koaia nuclear SSRs using Illumina sequencing. Silvae Genetica 67(1): 20–25.
Lawson SS, Bhide K, Thimmapuram J. 2018. RNAseq analysis of figured and non-figured Acacia koa wood. Current Trends in Forest Research doi:10.29011/ CTFR108. 100013
Ebrahimi A, Zarei A, Fardadonbeh MZ, Lawson SS. 2017. Evaluation of genetic variability among “Early Mature” Juglans regia using microsatellite markers and morphological traits. Peer Journal 5:e3834
Lawson SS, Pike C. 2017. Characterization of naturally abundant stable isotopes in Acacia koa populations on Hawai´i. Annals of Forest Research 60(2): 1–17.
Lawson SS. 2016. Investigation of AtWIN1/SHN1 overexpression of Poplar trees. Research Journal of Botany 12(1): 1–13.
Ebrahimi A, Zarei AK, Lawson SS, Woeste KE, Smulders MJM. 2016. Genetic diversity and genetic structure of Persian walnut (Juglans regia) accessions from 14 European, African, and Asian countries using SSR markers. Tree Genetics & Genomes 12(114): 1–12.
Lawson SS, Michler CH. 2014. Overexpression of AtSTO1 leads to improved salt tolerance in Populus tremula x P. alba. Transgenic Research 23(5): 817-826.
Lawson SS, Pijut PM, Michler CH. 2014. Comparison of Arabidopsis stomatal density mutants indicates variation in water stress responses and potential epistatic effects. Journal of Plant Biology 57(3): 162-173.
Lawson SS, Pijut PM, Michler CH. 2014. The cloning and characterization of a poplar stomatal density gene. Genes and Genomics 36(4): 427-441.
Lawson SS, Michler CH. 2014. Afforestation, restoration and regeneration ― Not all trees are created equal. Journal of Forestry Research 25 (1): 3–20.
Alexander, LW, Lawson SS. 2013. Genomics in hardwood tree improvement: applications of a growing resource. Omics Technologies in Crop Improvement ed. N. Benkeblia. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
Lawson, S.S., Pijut, P.M., and Michler, C. H. 2013. Species selection in hardwoods research: variations in baseline physiological responses of select temperate hardwood tree species. Journal of Forestry Research 24(2): 285-292.
Selected Extension Publications:
Lawson SS. (Nov 2018) An update on chestnut blight research at the HTIRC.
https://htirc.org/fall-winter-2018/.Lawson SS. (2018, Sep 7) Effect of a single tree on a neighborhood.
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/effect-of-a-single-tree-on-a-neighborhood/.Lawson SS, Ebrahimi A. (Jun 2018) A glimpse of pollen flow in isolated and non-isolated seed orchards.
https://htirc.org/june-2018/.Lawson SS. (2018, Apr 3) Can old-growth forests protect some vulnerable bird species from temperature shifts?
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/can-old-growth-forests-protect-some-vulnerable-bird-species-from-temperature-shifts/.
Lawson SS. (Dec 2017) HTIRC Research projects incorporate advanced techniques.
https://htirc.org/december-2017/.
Lawson SS. (2017, Nov 13) Low-cost tropical forest regeneration? Agricultural Waste as Alternative Fertilizer
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/low-cost-tropical-forest-regeneration-agricultural-waste-as-alternative-fertilizer/.Lawson SS. (2017, Jul 24) A new drone supports pollinator efforts.
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/a-new-drone-supports-pollinator-efforts/.Lawson SS. (2017, Jun 7). Biometric trees: A shockingly cool development.
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/biometric-trees-a-shockingly-cool-development/.Lawson SS. (2017, May 10). Do trees sleep?
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/do-trees-sleep/.Lawson SS. (2017, Mar 21). Can Trees Selectively Defend Against Deer?
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/can-trees-selectively-defend-against-deer/