For his undergraduate thesis, Jonathan conducted research in plant molecular biology. Specifically, he explored the phylogenetic and developmental biological implications of a boron nutrient transporter required for proper reproductive and vegetative development of the economically critical plants in the Poaceae family, which encompasses the staple food crops of maize, rice, wheat, and barley.

At Stanford, Jonathan’s graduate work focused on understanding how eukaryotic cells survive—and even thrive—while carrying high mutation burdens. Increased rates of mutagenesis play a key role in oncogenesis and the evolution of microbial antibiotic resistance, despite the accompanying burden of mostly deleterious mutations. To explore this phenomenon, Jonathan created a eukaryotic model of accumulating mutation burden in the organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae and characterized the genetic and molecular responses that enabled these highly mutagenic eukaryotic cells to survive and proliferate.

The seeds for Jonathan’s interest in patent law were planted when he started an internship at Stanford’s Office of Technology Licensing (OTL). At OTL, Jonathan conducted technical evaluations for newly disclosed inventions, patent landscape searches, and market research. As he became familiar with the skills needed in his role at OTL, Jonathan realized that not only was it rewarding to help transform cutting-edge technologies from discoveries at the bench to commercial IP assets, but that prior experience he’d had in managing efforts of multiple parties toward a common goal proved incredibly helpful.

“It may sound strange, but I quickly realized that my years helping organize and run the annual Cal State Long Beach Pow Wow gave me skills relevant to service to our clients. In that role I had to be attentive to, and balance, the needs of the host university, community members, and food and merchandise vendors. Success required not only clear communication skills, but the ability to juggle multiple, parallel (and sometimes conflicting) demands, and at all times remain focused on the main “clients”: the university host and the tribal community.”

With a few years of work in patent law under his belt, Jonathan feels he’s found a place that both nourishes his cravings for intellectual challenge, exposure to cutting edge science, and professional growth.

“In my role as a Technical Advisor, I work with a team that offers helpful advice, guidance and constructive criticism to ensure I learn and develop skills related to both patent prosecution and client service. And as someone new to the field, I bring a fresh perspective. It’s exceedingly satisfying to be able to pick up a new-to-me case in which prosecution has seemingly stalled, and home in on a key argument that can move it forward.”