Jessica Forrest

Jessica Forrest is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on evolutionary ecology, particularly plant-pollinator interactions, climate change impacts on pollinators, and the ecological consequences of phenological shifts. She studies native bees, their interactions with plants, and how agricultural practices can benefit from native bee ecology.

Her work spans field studies in natural and agricultural landscapes, emphasizing pollinator conservation and climate adaptation. Notable projects include investigations into bee nesting habitat enhancement in orchards, the effects of drought on alpine bees, and the role of floral traits in pollinator attraction.

• Research Themes: Pollination ecology, climate change biology, bee behavior, and agricultural sustainability.
• Labs/Teams: Leads the Forrest Lab at the University of Ottawa, involving graduate and undergraduate students in field and lab-based studies.

Her recent work highlights the importance of Asteraceae pollen in protecting mason bees from brood parasites and the complex effects of temperature on bee reproductive success in high-elevation habitats.

Students advised include Lydia, Michelle, Natasha, Roisin, Tovah, and others, with projects ranging from bee cognition to agricultural pollination systems. The Forrest Lab collaborates widely, addressing applied and theoretical questions in pollinator ecology.