Megan Higgie

Dr Megan Higgie is an evolutionary biologist and conservation geneticist whose research integrates field and laboratory approaches to understand how animals adapt to environmental change and how biodiversity evolves. Her work focuses on evolutionary adaptation—particularly to climate extremes such as heatwaves—as well as genomic investigations into how new species arise.

A significant part of Dr Higgie’s research involves working with threatened species to assess their genetic health and evolutionary potential. She is especially interested in how genetic and evolutionary rescue strategies can be used to support species facing environmental stressors and declining population viability. These approaches aim to enhance resilience and long-term survival in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss in the Tropics.

Through speciation genomics, Dr Higgie explores how genetic divergence and reproductive isolation emerge, contributing to the formation and persistence of biodiversity. This includes investigating how species interactions and environmental pressures shape patterns of adaptation across populations and ecological communities of the Tropics.

As a lecturer, Dr Higgie has taught thousands of students about the mechanisms of evolution and genetics that underpin biodiversity, equipping them to become future leaders in developing solutions to our environmental challenges.