
Clay McLeod is manager of bioinformatics software development in the Computational Biology Department.
Clay McLeod came to St. Jude looking for a challenge.
He sought a role where he could be innovative, make significant contributions and grow his career. Since joining St. Jude in June 2016, he’s done that and more—creating next-generation sequencing pipelines and helping launch the revolutionary data-sharing tool St. Jude Cloud.
“I’ve always enjoyed working on things that have the potential to make a significant impact. In my job interview, I expressed that I wanted to work on the front lines and be on the cutting edge,” McLeod said.
As a senior software engineer in Computational Biology, McLeod was hired to write or build pipelines to analyze the clinical genomics data of eligible St. Jude cancer patients. St. Jude performs whole-genome, whole-exome and RNA sequencing to assess patients’ complete molecular profiles.
After working for more than a year on the clinical genomics project, McLeod moved into a lead engineering role building St. Jude Cloud. A partnership with Microsoft and DNAnexus, St. Jude Cloud is the world’s largest public repository of pediatric cancer genomics data. Researchers worldwide can access genomic data, genomic analysis tools and interactive visualizations.
McLeod served as the primary project manager from the St. Jude side, coordinating a wide range of tasks from software development to outreach strategy to video production. He worked with a multidisciplinary team to guide the project to a successful launch in April 2018, while coordinating a major transition in the internal cloud-based analysis platform.
St. Jude has deposited more than 5,000 whole-genome, 5,000 whole-exome and 1,200 RNA-Seq samples from more than 5,000 pediatric cancer patients and survivors. The goal is to host 10,000 whole genomes by the beginning of 2019.
Seeing the Cloud project from concept through development and into implementation has been most rewarding for McLeod.
“Being on the forefront of this technology and helping to move the world forward is both rewarding and challenging,” McLeod said.
McLeod, a native Memphian, had offers from organizations across the country, but he wanted to stay in his hometown to make the biggest impact. St. Jude provides him the challenges and vision that help him do his best work.
“I’m a huge advocate for the city of Memphis, and I love working at St. Jude,” McLeod said.
Earlier this year, McLeod was promoted to manager of bioinformatics software development. In October, he received the 2018 Amos Jacobs award—the hospital’s top employee honor.
“My work gets me excited every day when I wake up,” he said. “This was exactly what I was looking for—a chance to come in and help shape the future of how St. Jude shares its data with the world.”
Read more inspiring stories
-
Journey to the Jude: Heather Brandt, PhD, works to steer HPV vaccination rates in right direction
Heather Brandt, PhD, joined the hospital last summer to lead the hospital’s new HPV Cancer Prevention Program. Learn how her career’s work will help guide this important initiative.
-
St. Jude honors physicians who were key to hospital’s pandemic response
For the first time in St. Jude history, there are two recipients of the annual Amos Jacobs Award—the highest honor given to hospital employees. Read more about their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
A sequence of festive events: ‘Gene Gnome’ delivers holiday hijinks to St. Jude
See how Gene Gnome is bringing some holiday fun to the research community at St. Jude.
-
St. Jude employees have many reasons to say thanks
In a challenging year, read why St. Jude employees are thankful this holiday season.
-
St. Jude resource group supports efforts of veterans, active duty personnel and families
Veterans are an important part of the workforce at St. Jude. Learn how the hospital’s Military Support Resource Group helps employee veterans and active duty personnel.
-
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
To mark National Hispanic Heritage Month, St. Jude is honoring some our dedicated Hispanic employees. Learn more about their work.
-
Preparing for a Pandemic
The staff at St. Jude go above and beyond to ensure patient and employee safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Read how St. Jude employees collaborate and innovate during this time.
-
Working like a dog: St. Jude Paws at Play celebrates six months of canine care
Brittany Reed and Shandra Taylor share their thoughts on how Puggle and Huckleberry have made an impact on the hospital and their lives. Read their reflections.
-
Journey to the Jude: Escaping war and poverty in his homeland, chef Johnny Siv develops culinary talents to feed the St. Jude community
After escaping the war-torn nation of his youth, chef Johnny Siv uses food to give back to the patients at St. Jude. Read more about his remarkable journey.
-
Tracing Martine Roussel’s independent streak from Africa to the National Academy of Sciences
Martine Roussel, PhD, is renowned for investigations into molecular-level causes of cancer and strategies in developing new treatments for pediatric brain tumors. Read about her journey.
-
Chaplain Kimberly Russell uses creative talent to adapt spiritual care board for St. Jude patients
Learn how St. Jude chaplain Kimberly Russell helps non-verbal patients communicate spiritual needs.
-
Welcoming all who enter
Janice Ivory has given out tens of thousands of smiles to the patients, staff and families of St. Jude over the last 32 years.
-
Celebrating Black History Month
We reflect on our heroes: doctors, patients and supporters who have been a part of our lifesaving mission.
-
Journey to the Jude: Inspired by global adventures, postdoc recruiter Deanna Tremblay seeks world-class scientists
Inspired by her global adventures, postdoc recruiter Deanna Tremblay of Academic Programs seeks world-class scientists.
-
Pediatric Cancer Genome Project sparks a decade of discovery
Leaders at St. Jude launched a bold initiative in 2010 to define the genomic landscape of pediatric cancer.
Careers
At St. Jude, your career makes a difference. We offer outstanding opportunities in the basic and translational sciences, clinical research, patient care and many other areas for talented individuals.