“I remember feeling intimidated by Jeanne at first — not just because of her British accent, which somehow made her seem even more brilliant — but because she truly was an extraordinarily brilliant professor and scientist. But behind that brilliance and accent was a dry wit and a sense of humor that was disarming.”
This is just one of the many ways Jeanne Zeh’s students and friends remember her. Jeanne, emerita professor in the Department of Biology, passed away in July and leaves a lasting and impactful legacy at the University. The Department of Biology and the College of Science mourn her passing.
Jeanne had an adventurous life. Born in England shortly after World War II ended, Jeanne moved to Arizona seeking opportunities to advance her education after performing well on her high school exams. She began a degree in photojournalism but became more interested in science. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology in 1986 at the University of Arizona and met David Zeh, whom she married shortly after. David completed his doctoral degree, and the couple, along with their infant son, moved to Panama where they worked together for six years at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Jeanne then completed her doctoral degree in ecology and evolutionary biology in just three years while David worked at the University of Houston. The couple then moved to Reno and began working at the ҹɫÊÓƵ.
Jeanne became an internationally renowned scientist, publishing over 50 scientific papers in leading journals like Nature and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and became a widely regarded expert on sexual selection and epigenetics. She and David were coauthors on dozens of articles that addressed major questions in evolutionary biology and animal behavior, including why it might benefit females to mate with multiple males, and the role of genetic compatibility in reproductive behaviors.
Jeanne mentored over 40 undergraduate and graduate students and taught over 3,500 students. She also developed the first epigenetics course in the Nevada System of Higher Education and one of the first in the nation.
“Jeanne’s research brought international attention to the Department of Biology, and she was in many ways ahead of her time, blurring traditional boundaries between research fields such as animal behavior and epigenetics,” biology department Chair Anne Leonard said. “Her impact on her students as an instructor was also deeply appreciated — she greatly expanded the range of topics undergraduates could study, and in doing so shaped the way thousands now understand the basic workings of life, including inheritance, genetic diseases, and reproductive behavior.”
On , former students shared fond memories of her teaching and the impact that her and David’s work had on their lives. As one former student said, “Jeanne was an incredible scientist and had a major impact on my life. The knowledge and excitement I gained from her courses set me on a path I don't think I would have pursued otherwise.”
A scholarship endowment in Jeanne Zeh’s memory is being established to support undergraduate students in the University’s Department of Biology. Those interested in contributing to the scholarship fund, which David plans to endow when sufficient funds have been collected, can do so online by visiting the , selecting “In memory of someone special,” and typing “Jeanne Zeh” into the form for the Honoree’s full name. Alternatively, a check can be made out to “ҹɫÊÓƵ Foundation” and include “Jeanne Zeh Memorial” in the check’s memo line. The check can be mailed to:
ҹɫÊÓƵ Foundation
1664 North Virginia Street
Mail stop: 0162
Reno, NV 89557-0162
“Jeanne served as a member and chair of the Biology Scholarship Committee for over a decade, dedicated to advancing the careers of undergraduate students, particularly women and those from underrepresented backgrounds,” David said. “Endowing a scholarship in her name at the ҹɫÊÓƵ will honor Jeanne's legacy as an educator and scientist while supporting the development of essential scientists, environmentalists, and biomedical professionals who will enhance Nevada’s quality of life and economic prosperity.”
