Jonathan M. Jacobs is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Ohio State. His team overall investigates the biological and evolutionary basis for microbial colonization of plants. His team is focused on understanding how pathogenic bacteria evolve and adapt to colonize different plant tissues. Their research uses novel, high-throughput sequencing technologies and microscopy to determine the basis of tissue-specific behaviors in and host colonization by plant pathogenic bacteria. His team is also developing whole genome sequencing approaches for plant disease diagnostics. His hobbies include jazz music, swing dancing, rock climbing, languages and running.