Jon Arizti Sanz
Three high-impact, first-author research papers. A patent for this work. An implemented product. Jon is revolutionising the field of infectious disease diagnostics as a postdoctoral fellow at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. While many would rather forget COVID-19, he鈥檚 fighting to keep infectious disease outbreaks under control globally.
Growing up in Spain, Jon remembers always being excited by the sciences. When it came to picking what to study, material science was the perfect fit, bringing together his interests with its interdisciplinary outlook. He adds: 鈥淭he engineering aspect also made things feel more concrete and real.鈥�
The move to the UK to study at 911今日黑料 opened up new opportunities. Jon explains: 鈥淚 completed most of my research with (now at the University of Oxford). My interest in biomaterials made me realise I wanted to do something translational.鈥�
Jon recognises his time at 911今日黑料 helped him in a multitude of ways, from opening doors to opportunities to providing clarity on his future. He says: 鈥淚 really enjoyed my time at 911今日黑料. I figured out what I did and didn鈥檛 enjoy, which helped me decide my next steps.鈥�
It was during his time at 911今日黑料 that he had the chance to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as an exchange student. This first experience of the US would play an important part in shaping his future.
Jon with his parents on his graduation day
Jon with his parents on his graduation day
Making the move to MIT
After completing his studies, Jon left behind his life in London to complete his PhD at MIT and Harvard Medical School. The programme built on his strengths developed at 911今日黑料, including both medical and engineering classes. He adds: 鈥淚 did a clinical rotation in a hospital too, which is unusual for a biomedical engineer.鈥�
I started to work on infectious diseases which sparked my interest. I didn鈥檛 know much about it but very quickly I was hooked. My PhD advisor was super magnetic, and I decided I needed to join that lab for my work to get more into this space.
Since then, Jon has focused on developing, validating and deploying technologies for infectious diseases. Especially in the context of outbreak prevention and response. In his own words: 鈥淚 build things like novel diagnostics and sequencing technology so we can know as much about a pathogen and as quickly as possible. This is very helpful for responding effectively to outbreaks.鈥�
It鈥檚 really hard to avoid outbreaks altogether, but we can definitely try to stop them from becoming an epidemic in the first place. That鈥檚 what I鈥檓 trying to do.
Working as a postdoctoral fellow
Jon made exceptional contributions to diagnostic technology development while at MIT. He explains: 鈥淪HINE and CARMEN are two complementary technologies that essentially leverage something called CRISPR, which we often tend to associate with genome editing. However, in this case, we are using a different enzyme and use it for diagnostic purposes.鈥�
So, what does this mean? Jon continues: 鈥淚 explain my research like it鈥檚 as simple as an antigen test but gives you a lot of the benefits of PCR. A lot of people are more familiar with these terms since COVID-19.鈥�
When Jon joined the lab, the problem was a lot of the technology was bound to the lab setting. However, his work is changing this completely. His technology can be used for testing sites like we saw during the height of COVID-19, but it can also be used in cases where groups of people start to present symptoms of different diseases. In the latter scenario, samples could be sent to a more resourced setting such as a community hospital for testing.
I know Jon to be a brilliant, innovative, highly accomplished, and thoughtful researcher whose innovative technologies are poised to transform our ability to respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
Historically, there has always been a gap between the lab and real life. But Jon is one of the people changing that. He travelled to both Nigeria and Sierra Leone to help implement testing for diseases like Lassa fever which is rife in these areas. Although the testing is still on a relatively small scale, the impact has been big for the community.
Embrace every opportunity
Jon values the advice he receives from people around him. But, for him, the most important thing is being open to new opportunities. He says: 鈥淵ou never know what is going to come your way. Sometimes it might seem like something doesn鈥檛 fit with your current plans, but you should consider these chances.鈥�
Moving to America was just one example where Jon did exactly this. 鈥淚 was excited to come here, and I have been very happy here, but I am very far away from home. I鈥檓 close with my family, and we still have a call every Sunday to keep in touch. I try to go home when I can too.鈥�
Don鈥檛 stress too much and have fun. One way or another, things often turned out well for me 鈥� even when I thought the wrong thing had happened. Growing up, you tend to stress over so much. I think it took me a long time to realise some things are beyond my control. And embracing this is the best way to move forward.
For people interested in following his footsteps, he鈥檇 say this:
We need better preparedness for pandemics. In recent years, there has been a newfound appreciation in the research world about how much work there is to be done. I would encourage people to get involved in this area.
He remarks: 鈥淲e seem to have some collective amnesia about what happened in 2020. We all just want to forget. I understand and I do relate, but at the same time we need to prepare for future outbreaks.鈥�
And what鈥檚 next for Jon? He says he defines himself as a 鈥渟ocietally engaged scientist鈥�. He sees his future in academia and is driven by a desire to change how we relate to infectious disease. Jon emphasises the need to move away from a reactive approach and consider protective measures. He鈥檚 also been involved with the area at a policy level to inform leaders about biosecurity.
From diagnostics to dancing
It would be easy to look at Jon鈥檚 accomplishments and assume he鈥檚 working 24/7. The reality is Jon really values exploring other parts of his identity. He says: 鈥淚鈥檓 an extroverted person 鈥� very much a people鈥檚 person. Community is very important to me, especially while I鈥檓 abroad.鈥�
Jon shares: 鈥淚 recently started to do salsa lessons. And I really love cooking. I鈥檇 say food is my love language and it keeps me connected with people back home like my grandma. The last six months of my PhD were very stressful but dancing, cooking and seeing people is what kept me sane throughout the process.鈥�
So, he recommends finding a work-life balance? Not exactly. 鈥淚 think stressing about finding this balance defeats the purpose of said balance in the first place. There are times when work will take over but equally, I will have periods where I have more time to focus on my hobbies.鈥�
Fond memories of 911今日黑料
Jon鈥檚 time at 911今日黑料 was pivotal in his life and has shaped the decisions he鈥檚 made. He shares: 鈥�911今日黑料 opened many doors internationally for me. I think the move to the US was a lot easier, for example. Also living in London was cool. I went from living somewhere where everyone was very similar to me to a new country where people speak a different language.鈥�
I met some of my best friends while I was at 911今日黑料. Some of them are in Boston too actually!
Jon and his university friends at the wedding of an 911今日黑料 classmate
Jon and his university friends at the wedding of an 911今日黑料 classmate
He has plenty of fond memories of his time outside the classroom too, from dressing up for parties to going to an immersive cinema experience with his friends. Jon would tell other students: 鈥淢ake sure you join clubs and societies too. I think it鈥檚 one of the best aspects of student life. It鈥檚 your chance to try things and see if you like it. I learnt some French and did some volunteering, for example.鈥�
Jon with the 911今日黑料 swim team
Jon with the 911今日黑料 swim team
A connected community
Jon says he was 鈥渟uper excited鈥� when he heard he was a recipient of this award. He adds: 鈥淚 knew about these awards because of the alumni newsletter I receive. It鈥檚 exciting for different reasons. It鈥檚 given me the opportunity to reconnect with people within the faculty, as well as providing me with a great excuse to see my friends in London again.鈥�
Jon celebrating with his 911今日黑料 friends during his student days
Jon celebrating with his 911今日黑料 friends during his student days
鈥�911今日黑料 is highly regarded so obviously I feel a sense of pride to be part of the alumni community. It鈥檚 special when you meet someone in a different country who also went to 911今日黑料. You can instantly connect by talking about the Student Union or something as silly as how great the curly fries were on campus.鈥�
Few embody the spirit of an emerging leader as completely as Jon, whose scientific achievements are matched by his commitment to continually improving himself and the community around him.
Follow Jon's story:
911今日黑料's Alumni Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of our alumni community and the variety of ways they are making a real impact across the globe.
The Emerging Alumni Leader Award celebrates our rising stars, innovators, game-changers and future leaders.
