Jon Snyder: Bridging Science and Industry, Empowering Future Generations
09-03-2024
A passion for discovery and a willingness to embrace new opportunities drives Purdue alum Jon Snyder to seek transformative innovations in healthcare in his role at Elanco.
Jon Snyder's journey from Purdue University undergraduate to a leading scientist at Elanco Animal Health exemplifies how education, industry collaboration, and a commitment to innovation can shape a meaningful career. As a dedicated member of the Biological Sciences Alumni Advisory Council (BSAAC), Snyder's work highlights the strength of the partnership between Purdue and Elanco, particularly in advancing the OneHealth initiative. His career trajectory, from molecular biology and virology research at Purdue to leading cutting-edge projects that are helping to create a consistent flow of high-impact innovation at Elanco, showcases his dedication to making a tangible impact on both science and society.
From Purdue to Industry: A Journey Fueled by Passion
Snyder's connection with Purdue University began in 1999, where his undergraduate studies in molecular biology laid the foundation for a research-oriented career. His experiences at Purdue were pivotal, especially the opportunities for undergraduate research, which he describes as "instrumental" in driving his passion for science.
"Purdue offered me the chance to engage in hands-on research early on, and throughout my undergraduate tenure, and those experiences were invaluable," Snyder recalls.
Upon graduating in 2004, Snyder was set on pursuing graduate school, but a chance encounter with Abbott Laboratories, led by Purdue alumnus Bill Phillips, shifted his trajectory. Phillips' passionate presentation about the impact of industry on global challenges resonated with Snyder. "I left that meeting realizing that industry might be the next step for me," he says. Snyder accepted a position at Abbott, where he spent three years in the diagnostics division before returning to Purdue for his Ph.D.
At Purdue, Snyder joined Dr. Richard Kuhn's lab, focusing on understanding the mechanics of virus assembly and disassembly. His work there, coupled with collaborations with institutions like Johns Hopkins University and UCLA, broadened his network and solidified his expertise. "Purdue's environment was incredibly supportive," Snyder notes, highlighting the T32 Fellowship he received and the numerous opportunities to present at research conferences.
Elanco and Purdue: A Strategic Partnership
After completing his Ph.D. in 2012, Snyder sought to return to industry, but with a focus on research connected to practical applications. He found this opportunity at the Mayo Clinic, where he worked on Hepatitis B Virus under a fellowship sponsored by Roche. However, it was a position at Elanco in 2014 that brought him back to the Midwest and aligned perfectly with his professional and personal goals.
At Elanco, Snyder initially worked as a scientist developing new vaccine concepts for companion animals, livestock, and aquaculture. His experience spending summers on his grandparent's pork farm, combined with his scientific expertise, allowed him to appreciate the broader impact of animal health pharmaceuticals. "It's about helping our companion animals have longer, healthier lives and making protein production practices more sustainable and nutritious globally," Snyder explains.
Over nearly 12 years, Snyder has risen to leadership roles at Elanco, including technical leadership in both the infectious disease and chronic disease spaces, focusing primarily on novel scientific innovation, namely the design and engineering of new pharmaceutical drugs.
This innovation is further enhanced by Elanco's strong partnership with Purdue University. Five years ago, Elanco and Purdue formalized their collaboration through a strategic alliance focused on structural biology, protein engineering, microbiome research, and shared research facilities. Snyder was integral to realizing this alliance, which allows Elanco scientists to access Purdue's high-tech instrumentation and fosters ongoing research collaborations directed by Snyder and other Elanco scientists.
The partnership is set to deepen with Elanco's move to a new corporate facility in downtown Indianapolis, envisioned as an animal health and OneHealth epicenter with the goal of establishing a globally recognized research innovation district dedicated to optimizing the health of people, animals, plants and the planet. Research interests will include understanding of the microbiome, antimicrobial resistance, computational biology, comparative genomics and livestock sustainability, among others. Purdue will be the first to join this "Animal Health Corridor," with plans for teaching and research labs, as well as core research facilities.
"This is an exciting opportunity to connect Purdue and Elanco even more closely," Snyder says, emphasizing the shared vision of improving human, animal, and environmental health through the OneHealth approach.
Giving Back: A Commitment to the Next Generation
Snyder’s involvement with the Biological Sciences Alumni Advisory Council is driven by his desire to give back to the institution that shaped his career. "Purdue was full of passionate, driven students, and I wanted to help the next generation," he says. Through his role on the BSAAC, Snyder has been instrumental in advising department heads, connecting students with industry opportunities, and contributing to the strategic direction of the department.
His advice to current undergraduates reflects his own journey: "Say yes to as many opportunities as possible. Even if you’re nervous or unsure, those experiences can open doors you never imagined."
Jon Snyder’s career is a powerful example of the impact that education, industry partnerships, and a commitment to innovation can have on the world. Through his work at Elanco and his continued involvement with Purdue, Snyder is not only advancing science but also empowering the next generation of scientists to do the same.
About the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University
Purdue Biological Sciences is the largest department in the Life Sciences at Purdue University. As part of Purdue One Health, we are dedicated to pioneering scientific discoveries and transformative education at the cutting edge of innovation.From molecules to cells, from tissues to organisms, from populations to ecosystems - we bring together multiple perspectives, integrating across biological scales to advance our understanding of life and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Learn more at bio.purdue.edu/.
Writer: Alisha Willett, areferda@purdue.edu
Source: Jon Snyder