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Dr. Dawn Holliday

Dr. Dawn Holliday

Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences
 CSC 226
Department(s):


Current Academic Position

  • Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science
  • Pre-Healthcare Program Coordinator

Education

  • Ph. D. 2005, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
  • M.S. 1999, Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri
  • B.S. 1997, SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry, Syracuse, New York

Professional Interests

Dr. Holliday’s area of expertise is in physiological ecology, with professional interests in the areas of environmental toxicology, one health, and herpetology. Her work has focused primarily on animals, particularly turtles, are impacted by human-induced changes in their environment.

Work with students at Westminster College is very diverse. With a broad foundation and an interest in One Health, Dr. Holliday assists students with highly variable research projects that span the topics of Ecosystem Health and Human Health. In the 2023-2024 academic year, Dr. Holliday advised a student conducting an Environmental Assessment of Invasive and Native Plant Species along Stinson Creek and the next semester she advised another student looking at physiological parameters associated with different exercise regimes.

Current service positions (2024-2025)

  • Chair, Dept. of Biology and Environmental Science
  • Advisor to EcoHouse and Pre-Healthcare Professionals Association
  • Committees: Green Council, Faculty Executive Committee, Faculty Handbook Review Task Force

Background

Dr. Holliday joined the Westminster community in 2011. Dr. Holliday has the opportunity to teach both Human Anatomy (BIO 302) and Gross Anatomy (BIO 415) in the fall semesters. Students enrolled in these courses learn anatomy through radiographic images, models, clinical case studies, and cadaveric dissection. In the spring semester, Dr. Holliday teaches Physiology (BIO 420) a writing intensive course where students conduct independent research projects and present their results annually at the Undergraduate Scholar's Forum. Dr. Holliday also regularly teaches Conservation Biology (ENV 350), Environmental Toxicology (Bio 310), and Medical Terminology (Bio 335). Drs. Holliday and Howell collaborate to teach Anatomy and Physiology I & II (NSC 210 and NSC 320). Dr. Holliday has also traveled abroad with students to amazing places such as the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Loibor Siret, Tanzania.

When not working Dr. Holliday can be found answering student emails at 1:00 am, helping box turtles cross busy roads, helping her daughter at Rock Bridge City Lights Show Choir events, or as the #1 fan at her son’s baseball games.

Select publications:

  • Deem, S.L. and D.K. Holliday. 2022. Impacts from endocrine disrupting chemicals on wildlife health- A One Health Challenge. R.E. Miller, P.P. Calle, and N. Lamberski (eds.) In Fowler’s Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy, Volume 10.
  • Concannon, J., P. Brown, and D. Holliday. Investigating the Development of Secondary Student’s and College Science Major’s Views about Scientific Inquiry. Presented Thursday October 20, 2022 at the Mid-Western Educational Regional Association meeting in Cincinnati, OH.
  • Holliday, D.K., R. D. Day, and D. Owens. 2018. Environmental Toxicology of Terrapins. W.M. Roosenburg and V. Kennedy (eds.) In The Biology of Terrapins. Johns Hopkins University Press.
  • Manshack, L.K., S.A. Johnson, C.M. Conard, S.J. Bryan, S.L. Deem, D.K. Holliday, N.J. Bivens, S.A. Givan, and C.S. Rosenfeld. 2017. Transcriptomic Alterations in the Brain of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) Developmentally Exposed to Bisphenol A or Ethinyl Estradiol. Physiological Genomics. DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00103.2016
  • McCall, K.D., Holliday D., Dickerson E., Wallace B., Schwartz A.L., Schwartz C., Lewis C.J., Kohn L.D., and Schwartz F.L. 2010. Phenylmethimazole blocks palmitate-mediated induction of inflammatory cytokine pathways in 3t3L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages. Journal of Endocrinology 207:343-353.

Recent work with students presented at USF:

  • Berry, E., Peck, M., Bixby, M., and Sunneburg, P. Sigh, Another Exam Day.
  • Brennecke, P., DePaul, M., Donnell, K., Tennant, K., Brush Busters: Brushing Away Bacteria.
  • Hinkle-Pruitt, K., Janson, C., Deane, N., Pesold, J, Olsson, N., The DOMS Dynamo: Exploring the Potential of Tiger Balm, Emu Oil, and Apitoxin in Alleviating Muscle Soreness in Collegiate Male Athletes.
  • Hughes, T., McKee, R., Kaiser, D., Martin, A., VO2 Turnt or Three Warm Up Protocols
  • Henkenmeier, A., McKee, E., Schrader, K., Beedy, M., Is your Life Off the Rails..Just Exhale!