Jay Gage Tarolli, son of John and Sharon Tarolli, was born in Kingston, New York, and raised in Pine Bush, New York. In 2005, he graduated from Pine Bush High School with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation with Honors and enrolled at the State University of New York at Binghamton later that year.

At Binghamton University, Jay worked in the lab of Dr. Chuan-Jian Zhong, where he synthesized and characterized silver core-shell nanoparticles. In 2009, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from SUNY Binghamton. Following graduation, he began graduate studies at The Pennsylvania State University, pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry under the advisement of Professor Nicholas Winograd. His research focused on enhancing the visual quality of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) chemical images using advanced image fusion techniques. In August 2015, he earned his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, submitting a thesis titled “Improving the Image Quality of Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Images.”

After completing his doctorate, Jay joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA, as a postdoctoral researcher. There, he continued to refine image fusion methods to improve isotopically interesting particle screening workflows. He also applied of machine learning and neural networks to automate and enhance SIMS data analysis processes of uranium bearing particles, laying the groundwork for more efficient and accurate automated analyses.

In 2017, Jay transitioned to Ionpath in Menlo Park, CA, where he flourished in various leadership roles over seven years, including Senior Data Scientist, Director of Applications, and Director of Product Development. His contributions at Ionpath were multifaceted, spanning scientific research, customer success, and product management. He played a key role in scaling the company's success by developing robust applications, leading cross-functional teams, and collaborating across disciplines. The startup environment at Ionpath provided Jay with the opportunity to excel in diverse areas, from creating impactful data-driven solutions to empowering users with cutting-edge mass spectrometry tools.

Throughout his career, Jay has been deeply committed to designing, developing, and delivering innovative software and data processing tools that advance scientific discovery. He is particularly passionate about leveraging computational methods to solve complex problems in drug discovery, biomarker identification, and clinical research. Now based in San Diego, Jay is excited to explore opportunities at the intersection of data science, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence, aiming to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical scientific applications.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Jay is an avid sports fan and (unfortunately) a die-hard supporter of the Mets, Jets, Islanders, and Knicks—teams that have collectively tested his loyalty with decades of heartbreak. Ever since his teenage years, Jay has dreamed of visiting all 30 MLB stadiums and is now well on his way, having already crossed off 21 from his list. When he’s not watching or playing sports, you can find Jay seeking out the hoppiest craft beers and the driest wines, indulging in his love for flavor exploration.