Personal Statement

Both computers and biology have been near lifelong interests, and whether computer-based or not, my interests have always been focused on the interface between engineering and biology, where the tools that aid in probing biological problems are developed. Though my undergraduate degree is in computer science, I have a deep interest in biological problems, and therefore virtually all my elective hours were biology or related courses, including eighteen hours of upper-level course-work. In pursuing a bioinformatics Ph.D., I wish to build on these strengths and continue to deepen my understanding of both fields. My ultimate aim is to pursue an academic career directing bioinformatics research.

My interests cover almost any application of computers to biological problems, though I am particularly interested in the development of algorithms to facilitate the elucidation of functions and relationships among biological components and systems. Furthering the understanding of biological systems fosters more effective utilization of biological resources, and may also help preserve them. As data generating activities accelerate we are ever more dependent on the ability to develop efficient tools to analyze the results. Building effective tools requires understanding both the biological aspects of the system being modeled and the computer science theory used to construct models and algorithms. However, it is the synthesis of those two elements, not simply understanding them individually, that will drive real progress.

Although I have more specific long term goals related to forward engineering in biological systems, my current focus is on tools to elucidate, or reverse engineer, these systems. Both to further my goals and generally to help us learn as much as possible from all the data being collected. I feel very strongly that to make best use will require more integrated approaches built on the ability to bridge the gap between computation and biology. My education so far has given me fairly strong backgrounds in both, and the bioinformatics curriculum will build on that. However, it will require coursework significantly in excess of that required by the curriculum to give me enough background in both fields to support my goals. My current fellowship will require that I teach after the second year, and although teaching is a very important part of my future, the additional coursework combined with teaching and my other responsibilities would seriously hamper the pursuit of my research. The NSF fellowship would alleviate that by giving me the flexibility to take up teaching later in my candidacy.

In a new field such as computational biology/bioinformatics there are necessarily some compromises in the curriculum. In particular there few dedicated courses, and much of the curriculum must be made up by taking courses in other departments. As they are focused on the needs of the home department they can be a significant compromise for the bioinformatics student. Apart from my desire to build a more thorough dual background, I feel strongly that the sooner courses specific to bioinformatics are developed the better. Also, that for greater effectiveness such courses should start as early in the (undergraduate) curriculum as possible. Currently most students are strong either in computer science or biological science, but rarely both. Even with strong backgrounds in both, there are still too few courses available that could truly be called syntheses of the two areas. As the bioinformatics program here is still in its formative stages, the opportunity to help mold it exists, and I have a strong desire to get involved in helping further define the program, particularly the curriculum. This is another way in which the fellowship would help further my goals; rather than being required to teach or TA some arbitrary introductory course, I would like to start applying my ideas concerning teaching bioinformatics. Regardless, I intend to become more involved in defining the curriculum, but the fellowship would give me more control over how I was involved, and I believe allow me to more effectively contribute.

As part of my Presidential Fellowship duties I am already expected to mentor undergraduate researchers where appropriate, particularly those in underrepresented groups. In general I have always been ready to help others when possible, and am a strong believer in mentoring. I also believe that

involving undergraduate students in research is particularly beneficial, and would seek opportunities to do so. My PI has a strong record of recruiting underrepresented members to the group, and has mentored undergraduates other than myself, and is committed to continuing the practice. So in addition to being philosophically inclined to mentor, I am working in a group where it is positively encouraged.