Dr. Ronald N. Jones stands as a distinguished leader in the field of medical microbiology and antimicrobial research, having established himself as a preeminent authority over several decades of dedicated scientific inquiry. As the Founder and Chairman of JMI Laboratories, a position he has held since transitioning from CEO at the end of 2015, Dr. Jones provides strategic oversight and serves as the critical liaison between the Board of Directors and executive leadership. He earned his MD from the University of Oregon Medical School and completed his training in anatomic and clinical pathology, subsequently achieving board certification in this specialty. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Jones has maintained strong academic ties, currently serving as an Adjunct Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine while previously holding professorships at the University of Iowa College of Medicine and Oregon Health Sciences University.
With thousands of peer-reviewed publications to his name, Dr. Jones has made seminal contributions to our understanding of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, susceptibility testing methodologies, and the development of novel antimicrobial agents. His 25-year tenure as Editor-in-Chief of Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Diseases established him as a central figure in shaping the discourse and standards of clinical microbiology research worldwide. Dr. Jones has been instrumental in developing and refining antimicrobial susceptibility testing standards through his extensive work with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, for which he received the prestigious Eilers Award in 2001, CLSI's highest honor. His leadership in global antimicrobial surveillance programs, including the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program and the MYSTIC Programme, has provided invaluable data that informs clinical practice and public health policy regarding antibiotic resistance trends across continents.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Jones has played a pivotal role in shaping international standards through his involvement with organizations including CLSI, EUCAST, and as a founding member of USCAST, where he serves as scientific secretary. His expertise is regularly sought by numerous journals as an ad hoc reviewer, and he continues to influence the next generation of microbiologists through his academic appointments and mentorship. Currently, Dr. Jones remains deeply engaged in monitoring the evolving landscape of antimicrobial resistance and guiding JMI Laboratories' strategic direction in supporting the development of new antimicrobial therapies. His ongoing work continues to address one of medicine's most pressing challenges, ensuring that his decades of expertise remain critically relevant to the global fight against drug-resistant infections.
