The Woman Behind the Lab Coat

Jessica Kern.  The woman, the myth, the legend.  She is the wearer of many hats, but currently presides as a sitting member of the committee for the EPSCoR Microbial Ecology Collaborative and as the manager of UW's Ecology BGC lab.  Since entering these positions nearly a year ago, Jessica has made it her mission to expand lab use, designate funding to new, state-of-the-art lab equipment, and promote hands on learning across the many science-based disciplines at the university.  Her impact has been extraordinary, but how did she get here?

Jessica originally received her undergraduate degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences before earning her M.A. in Zoology and Physiology from the University of Wyoming.  Entering the workforce, her first position was with the USDA Airborne Animal Disease Research Laboratory where she resided for nine years.  Following the USDA, Jessica found new excitement in working with amino acids and virus research as a lab technician.  Unfortunately, the company decided to move out of state to Kansas and Jessica's love for Wyoming was strong.  To remain in state, she took a position with the animal science department here on campus.  Jessica elaborates on her position with them saying, "I ran the growth and metabolism lab for the animal science department and we did a lot of research on cattle and sheep nutrition.  I'm still in touch with a lot of the undergrads that I worked with and the grad students."

With a clear passion for working with students, Jessica also wanted to explore the campus research side of science in more depth.  She did so by taking a position with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.  She demonstrates excitement for the job saying, "That's where I really started doing more of the analytical chemistry.  I did some in the nutrition and metabolism lab, but I did a lot more there.  We worked with environmental samples there, too, so that was pretty cool."

Besides her resume being quite diverse, there are major areas of knowledge and passion that Jessica elaborated on during our time together.  She wants to be an advocate for human health and safety as well as animal safety.  Jessica really enjoys teaching and training people how to do things properly and safely.  She explains,

"I've learned so much over the years that if I can help somebody do it faster and more efficiently, I like to do that.  I'm very hands on running everyone's samples that they've collected.  I've run samples for everyone that's been a part of our project so far."

Jessica Kern is a wearer of many hats, but it's clear she has one solid passion for teaching and working with others.  This is especially true when it comes to the Ecology BGC lab and all who are involved in the research being completed there.  Her reach doesn't stop at the end of the science trail.  She is hopeful that more university students will begin visiting the lab that's located in the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center.  For more information on what Jessica does or if you're interested on stopping in and saying hi, please feel free to reach out via the contact information below.

Ecology and Biogeochemistry

UW Biodiversity Institute

Berry Center 115

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie WY 82071

Jessica Kern, Lab Manager

Email: jessj@uwyo.edu