Jessamine Finch, Ph.D.

Jessa is our Research Scientist in the Conservation Seed Bank here at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. She has over fifteen years of experience working with public gardens in many capacities including horticulture, curation, education, conservation, and research. Prior to her work with ABG, she managed the seed bank of the New England Plant Conservation Program with Native Plant Trust. She holds a PhD in Plant Biology and Conservation from Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden. Coming to Atlanta from the Greater Boston area, Jessa has spent the majority of her life on the East Coast and in Chicago, Illinois. Outside of work Jessa enjoys listening to audio media, community organizing, live music, pub trivia, camping, and urban exploration. She is passionate about her work with seeds, stating “Seeds are endlessly fascinating, beautiful, and powerful beings. I love working in botanic gardens because we are able to more easily share our work with the public, growing their understanding of plant conservation strategies and nurturing their affection for the humble seed.”