Jennifer Taylor

Jennifer Taylor is an Associate Professor in Marine Biology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a PhD from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on molting physiology, crustacean exoskeletons, acoustic communication in crabs, and the impacts of environmental changes on marine organisms. Taylor’s work bridges biomechanics, evolutionary biology, and climate science to understand structural adaptations in marine life.

Key research areas include the physiological and mechanical responses of crustaceans to ocean acidification and warming, the evolution of exoskeletal defenses (e.g., mantis shrimp telson armor), and the role of skeletal systems in locomotion and survival. Her studies often involve interdisciplinary approaches, combining lab experiments with field observations.

Publications highlight her contributions to understanding how climate-driven environmental shifts affect marine organisms’ structural integrity and behavior. For instance, recent work examines shrimp armor changes under acidification and warming, while earlier studies explored crab skeletal support mechanisms. Taylor collaborates widely, with co-authors including Dimitri Deheyn, Marc Meyers, and others. She is affiliated with UCSD’s Vc-Marine Sciences division and contributes to the broader marine science community through both research and education.