Dr. Ashley Turner, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
606-A, Pod 6, CEPS Complex
256-782-8642
anturner@jsu.edu   

Dr. Ashley Turner (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Jax State. She is a geneticist, molecular biologist, and teacher-scholar that specializes in secondary science education and training pre-service teachers to effectively engage students in grades 6-12 through active, inquiry-based learning, and exposing them to authentic science by incorporating scientific research into their teaching practice. 

With over 15 years of teaching and mentoring experience spanning her professional career across K-12 and higher education realms, Dr. Turner is deeply committed to fostering an engaging learning environment that incorporates authentic science experiences and high-impact practices into all educational spaces. She emphasizes student-centered strategies such as collaborative projects, course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), and experiential learning to prepare undergraduate and graduate pre-service teachers to inspire curiosity and a passion for science and research among middle and high school learners. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Turner serves as a university supervisor for pre-service teachers, guiding the next generation of STEM educators through their training and classroom experiences. She is passionate about supporting diverse learners, designing inclusive curricula, and applying research-based strategies to improve student outcomes. 

Dr. Turner has also collaborated on numerous educational initiatives, including training and working with pre-service and high school in-service teachers to incorporate authentic research into high school science classrooms using the nematode model, C. elegans. She has led projects examining the effectiveness of biology course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) and the curriculum of CUREs across different learning modalities. Additionally, Dr. Turner frequently contributes to professional development programs for educators, helping current and future teachers adopt best practices for effective and equitable instruction. 

When not in the classroom, Dr. Turner is actively involved in research, community engagement, and exploring innovative teaching strategies. She believes in the transformative power of STEM education and strives to inspire all students to explore, question, and create meaningful change and impactful experiences in their own future STEM classrooms. 

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Turner enjoys spending time with her family and is an avid lover of nature and being outdoors. She and her spouse share a passion for hiking and often explore local trails with their two chiweenies. When not hiking, she enjoys yoga, sports, gardening, and discovering new ways to incorporate her love of biology and science into everyday life.