Jade Atkins, Ph.D.
Curator, Director of Science & Research
Dr. Atkins grew up in Pictou, Nova Scotia, and is very pleased to be back home after spending several years away for her education. Jade’s research focus is the evolution and development of amphibians (frogs, salamanders, and caecilians) and her studies have included field work at Joggins Fossil Cliffs and studying Dendrerpeton, a fossil amphibian from the Joggins locality.
Jade’s research program at Joggins Fossil Institute aims to better understand Carboniferous tetrapods, specifically their diversity and development. She uses a comparative approach, studying patterns of development and behaviour in living species and then using this knowledge to enhance our recognition and study of ancient developmental strategies and behaviours in the fossil record. Jade collaborates with a network of researchers, all working towards the goal of better understanding ancient environments and the organisms living within them.
If you’re a researcher or student interested in visiting Joggins Fossil Institute to study our collection of Carboniferous aged specimens, please reach out to Jade. There are also limited opportunities for students to take on projects supervised or co-supervised by Jade.
Education
- 2021, Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
- 2014, M.Sc. in Applied Sciences, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
- 2012, B.Sc. Honours in Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
You can find Jade’s complete list of publications at Google Scholar.
Jordan LeBlanc
Director of Operations
Education
- Mount St. Vincent University: B.Sc. Mathematics
Previous work experience
- Curator/Administrator: Colchester Historeum
- Operations Assistant, Assistant Superintendent: Joggins Fossil Institute
Tracey LeBlanc
Senior Administrative Assistant
Tracey grew up in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. She has been a resident of River Hebert for the more than 30 years.
As a local resident, Tracey is excited to continue her career with the world-renowned Joggins Fossil Institute.
Education
- Pugwash District High — High School Diploma — Business Education Certificate
- NSCC Amherst – Office Administration Program
Previous work experience
- Office Administration/Bookkeeper – DLC Investments
- Accounts Payable Coordinator – Emmerson Packaging
- Sales & Customer Service – Maritime Pride Eggs
- Bookkeeper – River Hebert Co-op
Carlos Serratos
Manager of Outreach and Development
Education
- 2004 — Northwest Vista College — Associate of Science
- 2009 — Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi — Bachelor of Science
- 2015 — University of Alaska — Fairbanks — Master of Science
Selected work experience
- Operations Lead — Sea World
- Instructor — Texas State Aquarium
- Trainer — Texas State Aquarium
- Community Science Liaison — Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy