Jonathan Jacobs PhD
About Jonathan Jacobs PhD
Jonathan Jacobs, PhD, serves as the Senior Director of Bioinformatics and BioNexus Principal Scientist at ATCC, where he leads the Digital Biology Initiative. He has extensive experience in bioinformatics and molecular biology, having held various positions in notable organizations and currently holds a joint faculty appointment at Syracuse University.
Current Role at ATCC
Jonathan Jacobs serves as the Senior Director of Bioinformatics and BioNexus Principal Scientist at ATCC. He has held this position since 2020, contributing to genomics-led pathogen research and discovery. Jacobs leads the Digital Biology Initiative, which focuses on advancing research in genomics systems. His work aims to enhance the application of genomics in various fields, including biosurveillance and point-of-care diagnostics.
Professional Experience
Before his current role, Jacobs worked at several notable organizations. He was a Scientist I at MedImmune, Inc. for one year from 2009 to 2010. Following this, he served as a Senior Advisor at MRIGlobal for eight years, from 2010 to 2018. He also held the position of Director of Global Product Management for Genomic Analysis at QIAGEN from 2018 to 2020. Earlier in his career, Jacobs was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at both the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Cancer Institute.
Academic Background
Jonathan Jacobs earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, completing his studies from 1999 to 2002. He also holds a PhD in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Maryland, where he studied from 2002 to 2006. His undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) with a focus on Plant Sciences, was obtained from the University of Arizona between 1995 and 1999.
Research and Teaching at Syracuse University
Jacobs has been a Research Professor at Syracuse University since 2021. He holds a joint faculty appointment at the Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute, where he develops new training opportunities and research collaborations in genomics, bioinformatics, and forensic sciences. His research interests include the mobilization of genomics systems for practical applications in various settings.
Advocacy and Community Engagement
In addition to his professional roles, Jonathan Jacobs is active on Twitter under the handle @bioinformer, where he shares insights related to bioinformatics and genomics. He advocates for STEAM education, emphasizing the integration of arts into STEM fields. Jacobs encourages individuals to pursue careers aligned with their passions, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in scientific research.