In our Getting to know us (a.k.a. Teamsembl) blog series we talk to Ensembl colleagues and ask them a series of questions. To kick off the year, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jon Keatley, who is the project leader of the Ensembl Web team. The Web team is the driving force behind developing, maintaining, and improving the Ensembl websites, including creating user interfaces and data visualisations. Join us as we explore Jon’s journey, the work he is currently involved in and the activities he enjoys with his family outside of work.
What did you do before joining Ensembl?
Before I joined the Ensembl team, I was working for the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the Genomic Surveillance Unit focusing on supporting in-country sequencing and an internal tool for tracking Covid samples. I have been a software engineer for around 20 years, in that time I have worked in a wide variety of industries such as TV broadcast, consumer repair, game-based learning, and smart home integration.
When did you join and what is your job in Ensembl?
I joined Ensembl at the start of 2023 as the Ensembl Web project leader. The Ensembl Web team is responsible for maintaining the various Ensembl websites, as well as developing the new Ensembl website.
What are you currently working on?
We have just released the beta version of the new Ensembl website beta.ensembl.org. This website now supports the same number of assemblies found in Ensembl Rapid Release (which has been frozen as of November 2024). It also features the Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor (VEP), BLAST, new data visualisations, and a super fast genome browser!
What is your favourite thing about working at EMBL-EBI?
It has to be the people – largely everyone I have encountered in EMBL-EBI has been open, friendly, and very helpful. I also think that Ensembl is a great public resource so it is very rewarding to be a part of it.
How do you balance work and personal life while working at Ensembl
I feel there is a healthy balance of give and take at Ensembl. Hybrid working allows me to benefit from being closer to my family while being able to have face-to-face meetings with my colleagues. Ensembl is also very flexible allowing me to work around the needs of my family.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I always have a couple of projects on the go at home. Right now, I am designing 3D printable robots with my son, re-learning game design after a (short) 10-year break, and building a thermal camera using off-the-shelf components.