Jenna Melanson
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I have dreamed of being a scientist for most of my life. During my first undergraduate research position, the postdoctoral fellow who mentored me told me that graduate school was an important next step if I wanted to learn how to conduct rigorous and impactful research. She emphasized that in addition to excellent training, the right graduate program would nurture my scientific curiosity by providing me with the freedom to explore the topics which most interested me. As I neared the end of my Bachelor's degree, the primary question in my mind was not whether I would pursue a graduate degree, but rather, in what research area. Although my background was not in ecology or environmental science, I had a growing awareness of biodiversity loss and climate as two of the most significant issues faced by human society. I saw graduate school not only as an opportunity to improve my skills as a scientist, but also as a chance to pivot from my background in biological engineering to a more conservation-oriented research program.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
I came to UBC to work with Claire Kremen, my academic advisor. Claire is a brilliant and internationally-respected conservation biologist who specializes in biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of working landscapes. Her research expertise and multidisciplinary approach to science were two major factors in my decision. I felt that working with Claire would allow me to follow my passion for biology while being grounded in a research environment that would help me to translate my results into action items that could be communicated to relevant stakeholders in conservation, government or local communities.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
The Department of Zoology is partially housed in the Biodiversity Research Center, a community of scientists from multiple programs (e.g., Botany, Land and Food Systems, Forestry) working on questions related to the diversification, coexistence and conservation of species. The BRC is an incredible community in which to do research, both from an academic and a social standpoint. Zoology (and other affiliated departments) are home to numerous faculty conducting research at the very highest levels and to their graduate students, who are often among Canada's most promising young scholars in ecology and evolution. It's a privilege to call these people mentors, peers and friends.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
After spending four years in Boston (a beautiful and historic city in its own right!), I was most surprised by how close Vancouver feels to nature. As someone who grew up in a fairly rural part of the United States, there's a special pleasure in being steps away from Pacific Spirit Park or under an hour's drive from beautiful hiking on the North Shore. Feeling connected to nature has been a huge help to my mental and physical health, two aspects of the graduate student experience which are often overlooked.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
Much like our pollinators, I believe that science has both intrinsic and extrinsic value. Curiosity about the way our world works is, in my opinion, a central aspect of what makes us human. Being a part of a community that shares this value has been a lifelong dream for me. At the same time, science has incredible practical value in that it is one of our strongest tools to approach the many challenges that we face as a society. In the Anthropocene, science and policy may be our best chance at mitigating biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and climate change.
As a scientist, I am most excited by the opportunity to work at the interface of these two (non-mutually exclusive) viewpoints, by leading and collaborating on research projects that awaken my own innate curiosity about the wonders of the natural world, while also building knowledge that will facilitate the responsible management of resources and ecosystems.
What do you see as your biggest challenge(s) in your future career?
With great power comes great responsibility. While I truly believe in the power of science to strengthen societies from local to global scales, it is ultimately the duty of scientists to ensure that the value of our research is communicated to stakeholders. This can be a challenging feat for researchers who have spent years or decades learning how to perform science but significantly less time and energy learning to effectively share that science with the non-academic community. Recent years have shown a growing disconnect between scientists and the communities we aim to serve, a pattern that is exacerbated when scientific findings are politicized or sensationalized in ways that detract from their original value. A significant but necessary challenge for all scientists is to build the skills — or better yet, the collaborative network — to ensure that study results are shared in a way that is both clear and honest.
Being a member of a multidisciplinary lab group which includes both ecologists and social scientists has taught me a lot about the importance of both scientific communication and collaboration. At the same time, my applied conservation research has given me the opportunity to interact with dozens of landowners and several conservation organizations who have assisted with my field work. These interactions have helped me to build a skill set beyond data collection and analysis, which I hope will enable me to be an effective science communicator in my future career.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
I completed my BSc at a top research institution (MIT) which gave me a lot of the basic skills necessary to be a good scientist. I was also provided with many opportunities to participate in undergraduate research and summer research internships, which in my opinion are the most important type of preparation for graduate school!
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
In my free time, I'm an avid distance runner. I enjoy both a relaxing run (most especially on the trails of Pacific Spirit Park or along Spanish Banks) as well as something a little more competitive (last summer I competed at the US Olympic Trials in the 3000m steeplechase). Running has allowed me to meet a lot of great friends outside of academia and is one of the few activities that allows me to turn my brain off and just relax.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
You are here because you are "good enough" (whatever that means). The more time I spend in academia, the more convinced I become that everyone has a little imposter syndrome — even the faculty. You shouldn't let your fear of failure stop you from taking chances and betting on yourself. And start building your graduate community early! This was something that I neglected in the first few years of my PhD, both because of the COVID-19 pandemic but also because I'm not naturally a social butterfly. More recently, I've begun to develop a stronger community within my department, and it has made a world of difference.
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Learn more about Jenna's research
My research explores the effects of agricultural landscape simplification on bumblebee movement, resource use and health. Bumblebees are a group of highly important pollinators which contribute to both crop pollination and wild plant-pollinator networks in temperate regions. Unfortunately, many species in this genus are in decline due to a combination of anthropogenic stressors such as habitat loss, pesticide use and spread of disease by managed and introduced pollinators. Agricultural intensification can contribute to this suite of stressors both directly and indirectly, resulting in the loss of diversity and abundance of bumblebees in areas where their pollination services are most needed. Through a combination of field observations, molecular biology and modelling, I seek to improve our understanding of the risks and rewards faced by bumblebees in agroecosystems and particularly to evaluate how landscape simplification (i.e., reduction in seminatural habitat area, increased field sizes or lower crop/habitat diversity) impacts colony density, foraging behaviours, lineage turnover and exposure to risks such as disease and pesticides. Ultimately, I hope to improve our fundamental understanding of species' responses to global change, describe the mechanisms governing these responses and provide information that can be used to inform sustainable land management and pollinator conservation practices.
