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.

Published: 2023-02-15