Looking for a job

Jake Elder

@jakeelder

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I develop and validate molecular assays for foodborne pathogen research and food safety applications.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I'm looking to apply my molecular microbiology, assay validation, bioinformatics, and food-safety background in a role where I can solve complex technical problems, support compliant scientific work, and translate results into actionable guidance.

I've developed and validated molecular assays for foodborne pathogens at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including commercial Escherichia coli serotyping workflows and sequencing-library preparation for the Ion S5 platform.

My Ph.D. research examined Salmonella Enteritidis pathogenesis and metabolic fitness through bioinformatics, knockout-mutant construction, and in vivo and in vitro models. I bring 11 peer-reviewed publications, food-safety certifications, and a practical ability to translate complex science into clear guidance and training.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Owner, Coach

Current

Maximus Fitness LLC

Oct 2020 - Present (5 years 11 months)

Built and operated a client-service business, utilizing structured systems for planning and performance tracking. Created and monitored online fitness and weightlifting programs to drive client improvement.

Business Operations Client Communication Program Design Performance Monitoring Online Coaching

Head Coach

Bull City Barbell Club

Apr 2024 - Jul 2025 (1 year 3 months)

Created an introductory weightlifting program for a local gym, improving client retention and technical foundation for novice athletes. Planned and executed 12 to 16-week training cycles for competition preparation.

Program Design Coaching Training Phases Customer Retention Lifting

Research Microbiologist

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Jul 2018 - Oct 2020 (2 years 3 months)

Validated and optimized a commercial assay for serotyping Escherichia coli, managed molecular biology workflows, and prepared libraries for Ion S5 sequencing. Investigated Salmonella gene expression in ground chicken extract and characterized extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli strains.

Assay Development Validation PCR qPCR DNA Extraction Library Preparation Ion S5 Bioinformatics Panther RNAseq Protein Expression Troubleshooting Collaboration

CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting Coach

Pullman CrossFit

Oct 2015 - Jul 2018 (2 years 9 months)

Designed and implemented personalized training programs for athletes, applying scientific principles of biomechanics to optimize performance in CrossFit and weightlifting.

Coaching Program Design Biomechanics CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting

Weightlifting and Conditioning Instructor

Washington State University

Aug 2016 - May 2018 (1 year 9 months)

Designed and delivered university-level weightlifting and conditioning courses, incorporating evidence-based training principles to enhance understanding and performance.

Teaching Curriculum Design Lifting Conditioning Evidence Based Training

Primary Lecturer for Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory

Washington State University

Aug 2014 - May 2018 (3 years 9 months)

Delivered lectures to pre-professional undergraduate students, prepared laboratory materials, and mentored students on good laboratory practices. Earned positive reviews for effectiveness and patience.

Teaching Mentorship Laboratory Instruction Microbiology Molecular Biology

Ph.D. Candidate in Immunology and Infectious Diseases

Washington State University

Aug 2012 - May 2016 (3 years 9 months)

Investigated the role of pathogenicity islands SPI-13 and SPI-14 in Salmonella Enteritidis pathogenesis and metabolic fitness. Conducted bioinformatic analyses, generated knockout mutants, and performed in vivo and in vitro experiments using mouse and chick models.

Bioinformatics BLAST String KEGG COGS Genetic Engineering Gene Knockout In Vivo Studies Mouse Models Chick Model Assay Development IL 1β HD11 Cells Grant writing

Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant

Texas Tech University

Aug 2011 - Jul 2012 (11 months)

Developed a serotyping assay for Shiga-toxin producing E. coli, utilized bioinformatic tools to identify SNPs, designed primers, and validated the assay on 195 strains. Conducted PFGE and trained fellow students on the technique.

Assay Development Bioinformatics BLAST DNASTAR Primer Design PFGE Validation Training

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Kansas State University

Sep 2008 - May 2010 (1 year 8 months)

Supported research on influenza reassortment and virulence in pigs. Executed cloning of influenza gene segments and conducted animal infection experiments.

Cloning Restriction Digest Gel Electrophoresis Animal Experimentation Virology Research