Andrew Otis Jackson

Dr. Andrew Otis Jackson was born on April 14, 1941, on a farm growing cotton, corn, and peanuts in Enterprise, Alabama. Much of his childhood was spent constantly causing mischief, but in between his shenanigans, he was a voracious reader and curious soul. Andy delighted in exploring the farm, gardens, and the surrounding swampy regions and woodlands, keenly observing the intricacies of nature. Even at a young age, he challenged societal norms, questioning the racial segregation prevalent in his schools.

Despite being discouraged from pursuing higher education and few role models other than his mother, who attended Troy University, Dr. Jackson obtained his B.S. degree in botany and plant pathology in 1964. He then pursued an M.S. degree in plant pathology in 1967 at Oklahoma State University and went on to obtain a Ph.D. in plant pathology and microbiology from the University of Manitoba in 1970. In 1973, Dr. Jackson became a full professor of botany and plant pathology at Purdue University before moving to UC Berkeley in 1985 and establishing the Jackson Lab in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology.

Dr. Jackson was recognized as one of the most widely renowned plant virologists in the world. He aimed to understand how viruses elicit plant diseases and to devise mechanisms for disease control in transgenic plants. His legacy includes developing the application of molecular biology to study plant viruses from its infant stages to where we are today and bridging the gap between basic and applied plant pathology approaches.

A devoted teacher, mentor, and role model, Dr. Jackson inspired students worldwide. At UC Berkeley, he taught numerous graduate and undergraduate courses in virology and plant biology. In 1998, he began a fruitful collaboration with China Agricultural University, contributing to research and teaching their virology course. Among his many contributions, Dr. Jackson cherished his Freshman Seminar, “Viruses, Health, and Society,” which he initiated in 2008. This course provided close mentorship to 15 incoming students each year, guiding them into the realm of research. Through this seminar and additional informal advising, he played a pivotal role in helping countless students pursue graduate and medical education and careers in research. Despite his significant contributions to science and academia, Dr. Jackson regarded his greatest achievement as mentoring students to realize their aspirations.

In his personal life, Dr. Jackson was father to Martha Porter and grandfather to Ian and Xander Porter. He was a dedicated partner to Hoa Truong and served as a guiding figure to her five daughters Kristina, Katherine, Kelly, Karen, and Kirsten. He was a loyal and beloved friend and chosen family to countless others.

Dr. Andrew Otis Jackson’s autobiography “Reflections on a Career in Plant Virology: A Chip Floating on a Stream” can be found online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34255543/