In the winter mornings of 1994, Jessica Wright ’94 embarked on a unique journey, rising before sunrise to navigate Memorial Hill in the icy dawn. Her destination: the old greenhouses behind Webster Hall, where she delved into the intricate world of flower traits for her biology thesis. To capture the essence of a species that unfurled its petals at dawn, Wright orchestrated an unconventional college schedule, retiring at 8 p.m. to rise at 5 a.m. for four hours of laboratory work before making it to Valentine for breakfast.
While Wright’s early mornings have evolved since then, her connection with nature persists. As a research geneticist at the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) Pacific Southwest Research Station in Placerville, California, nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, Wright recently shared insights into her unique career during a Zoom interview, her backdrop a vibrant forest bathed in sunlight.
On a recent Monday, Wright found herself engaged in a forest census alongside colleagues, brandishing height poles, clipboards, tablets, and calipers. Her mission: to conduct a meticulous count of acorns on valley oak trees, contributing to the ongoing efforts to understand and preserve the resilience and sustainability of U.S. forests.
Origins in Denver, Roots at Amherst
A Denver native, Wright chose Amherst College in pursuit of her twin passions: biology and music. Initially leaning towards a pre-med path, Wright’s high school fascination with biology took a decisive turn during a field research experience at Amherst’s Wildlife Sanctuary pond. Wading through the waters to mark and recapture fish left an indelible mark, offering her a thrilling introduction to field research.
Despite early aspirations of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon, Wright’s heart belonged to plants. Her senior year witnessed her immersed in an honors thesis, exploring the intricacies of flowers and their evolutionary traits in the old greenhouse. Following her graduation, Wright continued her botanical pursuits at Rutgers University, investigating seed predation in a dioecious plant, Silene latifolia, which mercifully opened its blooms at night.
From the East Coast to the West Coast
Wright’s journey westward began with a postdoctoral position at the University of California, Davis, where she explored the adaptation of seeds from a native California plant to serpentine soils, a unique soil type found in parts of the state. Transitioning from the study of flowers to trees and forests marked a pivotal shift in her career.
Driven by the desire to engage in long-running studies and captivated by the longevity of trees compared to annual plants, Wright joined the U.S. Forest Service, specifically the Institute of Forest Genetics. Her current role as a research geneticist places her at the nexus of academic research and public forest management, a position she finds gratifying.
Serving the U.S. (Forests)
Wright’s contributions extend beyond the academic realm, intersecting with public forest management. Working within the research branch of the U.S. Forest Service, she collaborates with university professors while also liaising with forest managers responsible for crucial decisions affecting the nation’s forests. This dual role ensures that her research not only enriches academic discourse but also finds practical applications in managing and preserving the diverse ecosystems of U.S. forests.
As Jessica Wright ’94 continues her pioneering work at the intersection of science and conservation, her journey from studying flowers on Memorial Hill to contributing to the sustainability of U.S. forests remains a testament to the enduring impact of Amherst College alumni on the world’s pressing challenges.
