Dr. Ashley Jones

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Ashley Jones is a researcher in the field of plant molecular biology and is affiliated with the Biology Teaching & Learning Centre at the Australian National University (ANU). She obtained her Bachelor of Biotechnology from the University of Newcastle, where she completed her Honours with Class University Medal, focusing on aquaporins in cotton fiber expansion. Ashley pursued her PhD at ANU, researching long non-coding RNAs in seed development and gene regulation, and collaborated with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to explore the roles of epigenetics in regulating seed size. Ashley has spent years as a visiting fellow at the University of Adelaide, where she refined her bioinformatics coding skills in analyzing RNA sequencing data. Returning to ANU, she undertook post-doctoral research on Australian native plants and fungal pathogens. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley played a critical leadership role in SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance for ACT Health, contributing to evidence-based decisions for the ACT government. She was awarded the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), leading significant advancements in Australian native plant genomics.

Research Interests

Awards

#2026

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA)

#2025

ACT Young Tall Poppy Year Science Award

#2025

Alan Wilton Early Career Researcher Award

#2024

Education Outreach Award

#2023

Science Innovation Award

#

College of Science Award for Service

Requirements for Australian National University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:2.8
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:18
Reading
Required:18
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:18
Total
Required:80
PTE
Listening
Required:55
Reading
Required:55
Writing
Required:55
Speaking
Required:55
Overall
Required:64
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree or international equivalent Cognate discipline for some specializations
Application Checklist
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Proof of English Proficiency
  • Copy of Passport
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Statement of Purpose
Specialization Notes

Requirements are standardized across most Master of Science and Arts programs within the College of Science and College of Arts & Social Sciences.