Mary R. Dawson

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Mary R. Dawson
Vertebrate Paleontology, Biostratigraphy, Evolution
InstitutionsCarnegie Museum of Natural History (retired)
Thesis (1957)
Doctoral advisorRobert W. Wilson

Mary R. Dawson (February 27, 1931 – November 29, 2020) was a

vertebrate paleontologist and curator emeritus at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1][2]

Education and career

Dawson was raised in

Ph.D. from the University of Kansas.[1] She was Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh from 1972 until she retired in 2003, including serving as chair of the Earth Sciences Division from 1973 to 1997.[1]

Research

Dawson's research has focused on the evolution of mammals, especially of

classification of the Laotian rock rat, arguing that it is a member of the family Diatomyidae, which had previously been believed to have gone extinct 11 million years ago.[4]

Awards and honors

In 1992 Dr. Dawson became the first American woman to receive the

Romer-Simpson medal, which is awarded for lifetime achievement in the field of vertebrate paleontology and considered the highest honor bestowed by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.[1] Likewise she was only the second woman to serve as the Society's president in 1973–1974.[5] The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology's Mary R. Dawson Predoctoral Fellowship Grant, which recognizes and supports graduate student research excellence, is named after her.[6]

In 1986, Dr. Dawson was awarded the Outstanding Service Award from the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America for her service to the breed and the club.[citation needed]

Major Publications

  • Later Tertiary Leporidae of North America (1958)
  • Late Eocene rodents (Mammalia) from Inner Mongolia (1964)
  • Contributions in Quaternary vertebrate paleontology : a volume in memorial to John E. Guilday (1984, edited with Hugh H. Genoways)
  • Papers on fossil rodents in honor of Albert Elmer Wood (1989, edited by Craig Call Black)
  • Dawn of the age of mammals in Asia (1998, edited with K. Christopher Beard)
  • Paleogene rodents of Eurasia (2003)
  • Fanfare for an uncommon paleontologist : papers in honor of
    Malcolm C. McKenna
     (2004, edited with Jason A. Lillegraven)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Mary R. Dawson". Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Archived from the original on July 22, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  2. ^ "Mary R. Dawson: Pioneer of polar paleontology". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  3. S2CID 11683196
    .
  4. S2CID 25506765
    .
  5. ^ "Past Presidents of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology". Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  6. ^ "Dawson Grant". Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mary_R._Dawson&oldid=1217508445"