Dr Alexandra Gardner

About Me:

I am an applied ecologist with a strong focus on understanding how organisms experience and respond to environmental change. I am passionate about using ecological modelling to address conservation challenges, particularly in predicting how climate change will affect global biodiversity. I believe that better understanding of species responses to climate change will support more effective decisions for conservation efforts.

Research:

In past projects, I have developed and applied models to assess the climate suitability for crops, highlighting the importance of fine-scale (field-level) climate data in improving predictions. My current work focuses on understanding the relationship between climate data and the body temperatures experienced by ectotherms, using crickets as a model organism. This project aims to refine models of ectotherm responses to environmental changes by considering body temperature and its fitness consequences.

Qualifications:

2017-2021: PhD in Biological Sciences, University of Exeter. Thesis: “Incorporating physiological mechanism into climate-based distribution models”

2013-2014: MSc Conservation Science and Policy, University of Exeter

2010-2013: BSc Conservation Biology and Ecology, University of Exeter

Career:

2021-present (maternity leave September 2022 to September 2023): Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Exeter. "An individual level approach to understanding responses to climate in wild ectotherms" 

2016-2017: Group Sustainability Advisor, VINCI Group

2014-2016: Environmental Advisor, VINCI Group