Jessica Matwiczak

JAX® Mice, Clinical & Research Services, Operations

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background. Where you grew up, where you live now, family and pets… anything goes!

Originally I am from Simi Valley, California (Go Dodgers) but throughout life, my family slowly moved north until we settled in the Sacramento area around 2000. Currently, my wife and I reside in Fair Oaks, California with our 2 dogs (Sawyer and Jeffery).

What hobbies or interests do you enjoy in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy reading, going to the gym, working on my car, planning my next tattoos, learning as much as I can about my ancestry and spending time with family and friends.

Tell us about someone in your life who inspired you or helped you become who you are today.

My Mom inspired me to be the person I am today. She taught me that through hard work, you can accomplish anything. Kindness matters and that life may knock you down, but you get back up and try again.

What motivates you or helps you feel fulfilled?

The thing that motivates AND makes me feel fulfilled is knowing my family is taken care of.

What’s an accomplishment you are really proud of? Is there something you want to do, but haven't done yet?

The top thing on my bucket list that I'd like to accomplish is traveling to Poland and Scotland. Seeing where my wife and I come from would be AMAZING.

Let’s talk about your career journey. What inspired you to go into your current field? What first brought you to JAX? Has your job changed since you joined?

I enjoy the technical/hands-on aspect of jobs and worked as a Veterinary Technician at a local animal shelter for 10 years. After that, I got a job with a BioAnalytical Laboratory which in turn moved me to Missouri, but after 1 winter in Missouri, I decided I was a California girl forever and moved back home. That is when I found The Jackson Laboratory and have been here in Operations almost 7 years now.

How do explain your current work to others? What’s your favorite thing about it?

When someone asks me what I do, I explain that I work at a medical laboratory that helps find cures for human ailments and diseases. My favorite thing about my job is knowing that my small contribution helps in the advancement of future cures.