Biogeochemist and Ecosystem Ecologist
Biogeochemist and Ecosystem Ecologist

Biography

Jessica Rush is a biogeochemist and ecosystem ecologist focused on understanding the biogeochemical cycling of carbon in peatlands, important wetland ecosystems that store large amounts of carbon. Jessica specializes in using laboratory approaches, including incubations and manipulative experiments, to investigate how biogeochemical processes respond to environmental changes. While her work mainly focuses on carbon and organic matter characterization, Jessica has also worked on projects involving iron, sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury cycling across different ecosystems. 

Jessica is currently studying with mentor Dr. Avni Malhotra how plant-soil interactions affect biogeochemical cycling of carbon in peatland ecosystems. In addition to her peatland work, Jesse also has a passion for improving ecosystem ecology teaching resources and mentoring undergraduate students.  

Disciplines and Skills

  • Biogeochemical cycling
  • Ecosystem ecology
  • Peatland ecosystems
  • Soil carbon
  • Methane
  • Data synthesis

Education

  • PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology, University of Colorado Boulder
  • BS in biological sciences, Chapman University
  • BA in Spanish, Chapman University

Publications

See Google Scholar page for an up-to-date list of publications

* Denotes Student Mentee

2026

  • Rush, J. E., J. C. Bowen, J. K. Keller, E. S. Kane, and E. S. Hinckley. 2026. “Organic Matter Redox Status Predicts Methane Production in Boreal Peatland Ecosystems.” Ecosystems 29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-026-01108-5
  • Schroeder, A. S.*, J. E. Rush, N. B. Dragone, L. T. Rea, and E. S. Hinckley. 2026. “Investigating the Potential for Redox-Active Organic Matter Reduction in High-Elevation Wetlands of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, USA.” Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 58 (1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2026.2652652
  • Gerson, J. R., D. Castro, J. E. Rush, C. Iwamoto, and E. S. Hinckley. 2026. “Where Brimstone Meets Quicksilver: Interactions between Agricultural Sulfur Applications and Methylmercury Production along a Vineyard to Wetland Gradient.” Environmental Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c13676
  • Rush, J. E., J. K. Keller, C. A. Zalman, Z. S. Schwartz, and E. S. Hinckley. 2026. “Redox-Active Organic Matter in a Boreal Peatland Demonstrates Resistance to Global Climate Change.” Global Change Biology, 32. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70816

2025

  • Rush, J. E., E. S. Kane, J. K. Keller, J. C. Bowen, C. A. Zalman, E. S. Euskirchen, K. H. Wyatt, A. R. Rober, and E. S. Hinckley. 2025. “Direct and Indirect Effects of Water-Table Levels on Redox-Active Organic Matter Reduction in an Alaskan Rich Fen.” Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 130. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JG009000
  • Hinckley, E. S., J. E. Rush, E. G. Beam, and C. R. Adamchak. 2025. “Exploring Earth’s Changing Ecosystems: Case Studies and Curriculum Support for Undergraduate Classrooms.” CourseSource, 12. https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2025.13

2023

  • Keller, J. K., S. D. Bridgham, K. K. Takagi, C. A. Zalman, J. E. Rush, C. Anderson, J. M. Mosolf, and K. N. 2023. “Microbial organic matter reduction regulates methane and carbon dioxide production across an ombrotrophic-minerotrophic peatland gradient.” Soil Biology and Biochemistry 109045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2023.109045

2022

  • Zalman, C. A., E. L. Hanna, J. E. Rush, K. Boise, and L. Larios. 2022. “Vegetation type and fire severity mediate short-term post fire soil microbial responses.” Plant and Soil 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05776-9

2021

  • Rush, J. E., C. A. Zalman, G. Woerndle, E. L. Hanna, E.L.,S. D. Bridgham, and  J. K. Keller. 2021. “Warming promotes the use of organic matter as an electron acceptor in a peatland.” Geoderma, 401: 115303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115303