Allan Jones joined the Allen Institute team in early 2003. He was instrumental in setting up scientific operations and hiring core teams responsible for the Atlas project. Allan was promoted to Senior Director of the Allen Brain Atlas project in 2004 and has led the project toward execution and delivery of its aggressive milestones, overseeing its completion in September 2006. Working closely with the founders, scientific, and business advisors, he has helped to establish the future scientific direction and programs for the Allen Institute, and was promoted to the position of Chief Scientific Officer in 2006. Jones has broad scientific experience in genetics, molecular biology, and development; he holds a B.S. degree in biology from Duke University and a Ph.D. in genetics and developmental biology from Washington University School of Medicine, and did post-doctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Allen Institute, he held various scientific and management positions with Avitech Diagnostics, Rosetta Inpharmatics, and Merck and Co.