GrradCert L&T, PhD, B Enviro Sci (Honours), BSci Marine Biology Jess was awarded a PhD in Science in 2016 from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where her research explored the microbial ecology of coral reefs using environmental DNA (eDNA). Jess conducted novel in-situ experiments on the Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea to understand the behavioural mechanisms underpinning relationships between microbes and reef organisms such as corals and sponges. Her work also tracked and quantified changes among potential pathogenic microbes during coral bleaching events under simulated future climate change scenarios. Jess now extends her previous experience using eDNA in the marine environment to freshwater and estuarine ecosystems with a continued focus on climate change and exploring the impact extreme weather events can have on the ecology of aquatic systems. Jess is an academic research member of the Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre and the Environmental and Social Justice Research Group. Prior to commencing at CSU, Jess worked in academia, industry, government & for Indigenous Elders. Working across various disciplines, sectors & cross-culturally has led Jess to develop skills, expertise & experience across diverse fields. Jess has been teaching undergraduate and post-graduate subjects at CSU since 2018 in the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences. Jess has lectured, and has been subject co-ordinator and convenor in the following subjects: Animal Diversity (BIO203), Conservation biology (BIO216), Principles of Ecology (BIO112), Science Communication & Methodology (BMS105), Community Engagement & Capacity Building (GEO360), Methods for Environmental Data Analysis (BIO263), and Fish Movement & Migration (BIO405). Jess is an aquatic ecologist and an Early Career Researcher in the Gulbali Institute and in the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences. Jess has secured over $291,000 in funding to support her research, which currently focuses on: 1. using eDNA to detect endemic and endangered species in marine, estuarine and freshwater environments on Birpai and Dunghutti Country on the Mid North Coast of NSW, 2. to investigate the impacts of consecutive extreme weather events of drought, fire and flood on estuarine fish communities throughout NSW, 3. to explore the use of eDNA as a long-term biomonitoring tool in aquatic environments, 4. ensuring an ethical approach is guiding her work and research, and to 5. to seek consent and engagement with traditional custodians of ecological knowledge and Country. Jess has strong research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders in the local and broader community, including:
Environmental Science
Dr Jessica Tout-Lyon
Lecturer in Ecology
Port Macquarie
Building 802 Room 2250