Jesse McClure, PhD

Education

Postdoctoral Associate2018
Broad Institute of Harvard & MIT
Vertebrate Genomes Biology
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Bioinformatics & Integrative Biology

Doctor of Philosophy2015
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Neuroscience & Behavior
Dissertation: Behavioral & Neural Mechanisms of Impulsive Choice

CIRTL Scholar2014
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning
Project: Cooperative learning for basic writing skills in an upper division writing class

Bachelor of Science2008
Saint Cloud State University, St Cloud MN
Biomedical Science and Animal Behavior

Publications

1. Morrill K, Hekman J, Li X, McClure J, Logan B, Goodman L, Gao M, Dong Y, Alonso M, Carmichael E, Synder-Mackler N, Alonso J, Noh HJ, Johnson J, Kooltokian M, Lieu C, Megquire K, Swofford R, Turner-Maier J, White M, Weng Z, Colubri A, Genereux DP, Lord KA, Karlsson EK. 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science
2. Chauhan G, McClure J, Hekman JP, Marsh PW, Bailey JA, Daniels RF, Genereux DP, Karlsson EK. 2019. Combining citizen science and genomics to investigate tick, pathogen and commensal microbiome at single-tick resolution. Frontiers in Genetics
3. Schraft HA, Medina OJ, McClure J, Pereira DA, Logue DM. 2017. Within-day improvement in a behavioural display: wild birds ‘warm up’. Animal Behavior
4. Podos J, Moseley DL, Goodwin S, McClure J, Taft B, Strauss AVH, Lahti DC. 2016. Measuring vocal performance in songbirds: Frequency excursion. Animal Behavior
5. McClure J. 2015. Behavioral and Neural Mechanisms of Impulsive Choice (Doctoral dissertation)
6. McClure J, Podos J, Richardson HN. 2014. Isolating the delay component of impulsive choice in adolescent rats. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience

Animal Behavior Work Experience

Dog Behavior Specialist2019–Current
Self Employed, St Charles MO
— Evaluate problem behaviors and create individualized rehabilitation plans
— Teach owners relevant management and behavioral modification techniques
— Network with area veterinarians
— Expert witness work with multiple area law firms

Assistant Professor of Canine Science & Behavior2018–2019
Carroll College, Helena MT, Department of Anthrozoology
— Supervised the fostering and training of 16 shelter dogs by students
— Created curriculum and trained students in the science of dog training
— Led obedience, CGC certification, service, therapy, and scent work training

Postdoctoral Animal Behavior Researcher2015–2018
Broad Institute, Cambridge MA, UMass Medical School, Worcester MA
— Created database and website for a nation-wide behavioral genomics study
— Enrolled over 18000 dog owners in research, analyzed behavioral survey data
— Mentored graduate student research on dog-tick pathogen research
— Led local learning communities for online courses in Machine Learning

Animal Behavior Researcher and Teaching Associate2008–2015
UMass Amherst, Amherst MA
— Presented on the Neurobiology of Behavior for the IAABC
— Correlated impulsive choice with addiction behaviors in a rat model of alcoholism
— Created bioacoustic software and behavioral testing equipment for bird song research
— Created a new course offered to graduate and undergraduate students

Pet Dog Trainer2005–2008
PetSmart, St Cloud MN, Private Consulting, St Cloud MN
— Trained several hundred dogs and owners in basic and advanced obedience
— Consulted one-on-one with clients on behavioral issues from anxiety to aggression
— Designed and implemented intervention plans for clients’ dogs

Working Dog Handler2001–2005
US Marine Corps
— Trained two “green” dogs at Lackland AFB, for patrol and narcotic detection
— Restarted the field-dog program, evaluated field kennels in deployed environment
— Worked an explosive detection dog in combat environments for the majority of 3 years
— Provided detection dog support for the 2005 presidential inauguration

Presentations

1. McClure J, Karlsson EK. poster. Citizen Science Meets Canine Genetics: Mapping Complex Behaviors in Mixed-Breed Pet Dogs. 9th International Conference on Canine and Feline Genetics and Genomics. St Paul MN. 2017
2. McClure J, Genereaux DP, Karlsson EK. poster. Darwin’s Dogs: Genetic Mapping of Complex Behavioral Traits in Mixed-Breed Dogs. Biology of Genomes. Cold Spring Harbor NY. 2016
3. McClure J. poster. Cooperative learning for basic writing skills in an upper division writing class. CIRTL Forum. College Station TX. 2015
4. Pagnier G, McClure J, Richardson H, Cohen A. poster. Personality and arousal while gambling. National Council on Responsible Gambling. Las Vegas NV. 2014
5. Logue D, Schraft H, McClure J, Medina O. abstract. Singing performance varies over time, and among contexts and individuals in Adelaide’s wablers. Animal Behavior Society. Princeton NJ. 2014
6. Podos J, Moseley DL, Goodwin S, McClure J, Taft B, Strauss AVH, Lahti DC. abstract. A new measure of performance: frequency excursion. Animal Behavior Society. Princeton NJ. 2014
7. McClure J, Jackson F, Richardson HN. poster. Precision of Timing Contributes to Impulsive Choice in Adolescent Rats. Society for Neuroscience. New Orleans LA. 2013
8. Ikeda M, McClure J, Remage-Healey L. poster. Catecholaminergic Regulation of Estradiol Synthesis in the Zebra Finch Auditory Forebrain. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego CA. 2012
9. McClure J. Invited Lecture. Neurobiology of Operant Learning. International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Warwick RI. 2012
10. McClure J, Richardson HN. poster. Impulsive Choice Predicts Alcohol Consumption in Female Rats. International Behavioral Neuroscience Society. Kailua Kona HI. 2012
11. McClure J, Po P, Richardson HN. poster. Risk Sensitivity as a Test of Impulsive Choice in Rats. Society for Neuroscience. Washington DC. 2011

Memberships & Certifications