Hi, I'm Jess!
I'm a Biology Faculty member at Dawson College, and the professor in charge of the Fab Tads. I have 9 years of experience doing field and lab work and introducing students to the fields of ecology and herpetology. I'm thrilled to be continuing this work at Dawson!
My Story
Previously, I was a PhD student at the Redpath Museum at McGill University. I spent my childhood flipping over rocks and playing in the mud, fascinated with whatever creatures I could find, and now I do that as part of my research. I study toad tadpoles, and how the environment reacts when they disappear. I also raise endangered toad tadpoles for release. Prior to my toad research, I analyzed data on how temperature and pollutants affected turtle development and adult size. I am hopeful that my research will help further conservation efforts in herpetology.
In addition to being passionate about herpetology and conservation, I am passionate about making these fields, and science as a whole, more inclusive and diverse. I wrote, illustrated, and developed a colouring and activity book for kids featuring "draw yourself as a scientist" activities and exercises based on the research of famous women and minorities in STEMM. I am now developing a lesson plan to accompany this colouring book. I hope to show that anyone who is curious can do science, despite the challenges they may have to overcome.
I am a strong proponent of science outreach, and participate in many outreach organizations. You can find out more about me and my other work here: https://jessicafordscience.wixsite.com/research
