Biography

Websites:
Website

Education:
Ph.D., Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University
B.S., Biology, University of Texas at Austin

Teaching Narrative:
I study Biology to understand myself, my interactions with the environment, and my place in the interconnected web of life on Earth. I teach to continue my own life-long learning and to share insights and experiences with other learners. I have loved plants since childhood, and in my classes, I emphasize the vital role that they play in human and environmental health. I moved to New Jersey in 2019 to because I value Rowan’s mission to offer “educational experiences, pathways, environments, and services to meet the needs of all students.” Rowan’s diverse student body and high proportion of first-generation and non-traditional students drew me to the university. I also highly value Rowan’s small class sizes because they allow me to connect with every student meaningfully.

Honors and Awards:
Rowan Transfer Champion, 2024
John B. Sangree Stewardship Award, 2024
Frances S. Johnson Junior Faculty Innovative Teaching Award, 2024
President’s Award for Excellence in Innovative Instructional Delivery, 2021

Professional Memberships:
American Genetic Association
Botanical Society of America 
Ecological Society of America 
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity 
Society for Molecular Biology & Evolution
Society for the Study of Evolution 

Selected Publications:
Kuo WH, Wright SJ, Small LL & Olsen KM. 2024. De novo genome assembly of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) reveals the role of Copy Number Variation in rapid environmental adaptation. BMC Biology 22:165. doi.org/10.1186/s12915-024-01962-6

Kuo WH, Zhong LM, Wright SJ, Goad DM & Olsen KM. 2024. Beyond cyanogenesis: Temperature gradients drive environmental adaptation in North American white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Molecular Ecology 33:e17484. doi.org/10.1111/mec.17484

Wright SJ, Goad DM, Gross BL, Muñoz PR & Olsen KM. 2022. Genetic trade-offs underlie divergent life history strategies for local adaptation in white clover. Molecular Ecology 31:3742-3760. doi.org/10.1111/mec.16180
Highlighted article: "From the Cover"
See also: Perspective by Dr. Jill T. Anderson (doi.org/10.1111/mec.16544)

Ruhl N, Crumrine P, Oberle J, Richmond C, Thomas S, & Wright S. 2022. Harnessing the Four-Dimensional Ecology Education framework to redesign an introductory ecology course in a changing higher education landscape. Ecosphere 13(2):e03857. doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3857

Olsen KM, **Goad DM, **Wright SJ, *Dutta ML, *Myers SR, Small LL, & Li L.-F. 2021. Dual-species origin of an adaptive chemical defense polymorphism. New Phytologist 232:1477-1487. doi.org/10.1111/nph.17654