Jessica is a PhD candidate in the Committee on the Study of Religion at Harvard University, focusing on the materiality of the Tabernacle in the biblical book of Exodus. Her research examines text-critical issues, compositional problems, and integrates comparative materials and archaeological data. She is particularly interested in the intersections of ritual, ritual objects and textiles, identity formation, knowledge networks and production, trade, priestly authority, and how the pressures of empire shape religious conservation and innovation.
Her academic journey began with a BA in Ancient Mediterranean Studies from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. She later earned a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) from Harvard Divinity School, where she focused on the Hebrew Bible. Her work continues to explore the complexities of ancient religious practices, with a strong emphasis on the socio-political and material dimensions of ritual.