My name is Rachel Wilson (MSc UBC Botany, BSc Queens University) and I am a Lecturer with the departments of Botany and Zoology. I really love all aspects of biology, but my area of expertise is in ecology, which is the study of how organisms interact with one another and their surrounding environment. In particular, I have studied the underpinnings of species ranges (i.e., why do species occur where they do?) and how ranges might be altered under climate change. I have done field work all over North America and in a couple tropical countries. My hopes for Jump Start are to get to know some first year students, share some of my experiences from undergrad, and think about what it means to be a scientist! In my spare time, I like to run hike, play instruments, crochet, and watch true crime docs. I also like to spend time with my very annoying (but lovable) cats.