Jasmine Towle

Jasmine Towle

Higher Degree by Research Candidate

School of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology


I am a Marine Biologist, with expertise in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology which I apply through genetic, morphology and ecological modelling techniques.

My PhD research is Climate Change Impacts on Marine Invertebrates in Southern Australia. The key aims of this PhD project are (i) To identify phylogeographic barriers and adaptive traits of intertidal marine invertebrates in temperate Australia (ii) To explore climate change induced environment changes that are affecting biodiversity and predict future range shifts of species.

I have a strong passion for community and citizen science and am working hard to incorporate this into my PhD project and beyond.

During my undergraduate years I was involved in voluntary research in different areas within the School of Biological Sciences. I was a wet lab research assistant working on soundscape experiments of Pacific Oysters. I was also an Entomology Research Assistant where I collected taxonomic data of species including identification and data storage. I have been involved in outreach including being a volunteer and demonstrator for The University of Adelaide’s STEM experience outreach day, Aboriginal STEM Day (2023). I am an active volunteer for The University of Adelaide’s Inspiring Women program, where I hold the position of lead volunteer and student ambassador. I have gained professional experience in conference organisation, where I was a member of staff for AES (Australasian Evolution Society) and presented a 3-minute flash talk of my honours research. I am currently working as a Technical Officer within The University of Adelaide alongside my PhD, analysing and uploading 3D scans of different vertebrate specimens.

Current climate change is predicted to cause range shifts and extinction and/or rapid adaptation in coastal marine species. My research will explore how past climate change has influenced the phylogeography of intertidal marine species in temperate Australia, how species respond to current environmental gradients and predict how species will respond to future change. Genetic and morphological variation will be assessed in multiple invertebrate groups across the southern Australian coastline. Experiments will be undertaken to determine how changes in water temperature and salinity can affect morphology and survival. Finally, niche modelling will be examined to predict future range shifts of species.

Australian Wildlife Society, University Research Grant 2024


Connect With Me
External Profiles