Marcus Sherman received his PhD in Bioinformatics from the University of Michigan. As a multidisciplinary educator, Dr. Sherman has expertise in both the biological and computational sciences. His expansive knowledge and passion for bioinformatics education are reflected in his commitment to developing new pedagogical methods across multiple programs—including the successful implementation of an assessment framework, CARE (Collaborative Agency and Reflective Evaluation), in College of Science and Khoury College of Computer Sciences courses.
Michael Wilczek received his PhD in Microbiology from the University of Maine, where he studied how a human-specific virus infects the central nervous system and causes fatal disease using bioinformatics and cell-based assays.
At Northeastern’s Roux Institute, he has expanded into comparative virology, applying data analytics to public genomic datasets to examine viral diversity, integrating his findings directly into his teaching in the Biotechnology and Bioinformatics MS programs. He also leads an augmented reality initiative bringing biology to life for STEM learners.
Dynamic biogeochemical consequences of host-virus interactions in marine diatoms
Meeting ID: 291 687 163 590 13
Passcode: si9JY2ZN
Ainslie Forbes recalls sitting in company-wide meetings during her co-op at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) and hearing patients’ stories. Much of her role was spent behind a computer, supporting the data that underpin cancer research in the province. But those meetings brought the human impact of her contributions into focus.
The co-op proved eye-opening for the Master of Science in Bioinformatics student. It not only exposed her to the realities of cancer research but also helped her determine her own professional goals.
“I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to continue to a PhD or go straight into the workforce after my master’s,” says Forbes, who is the first Northeastern University student in Toronto to complete a co-op at the OICR. “This co-op helped me see the kinds of roles available and decide that I want to enter the field now. It also showed me that you can do meaningful research with a master’s degree and still grow professionally.”
Read more at Northeastern Global News
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Andrey Ptitsyn, Ph.D., has over three decades of academic and industry experience in building the infrastructure, services, and research programs in Computational Biosciences. Andrey Ptitsyn is a computational generalist with a special interest in Algorithms, Big Data Analytics, HPC, AI, ML and applications in interdisciplinary research. He graduated from the Novosibirsk State University in Russia with a Master of Science degree in Mathematical Biology and the University of Western Cape in South Africa with Ph.D. in Bioinformatics in 2001. Andrey Ptitsyn has published over 50 peer-reviewed research papers with over 4000 total citations. His current research interests include the development of novel approaches in AI to infer functional patterns in large-scale heterogeneous data, including personal genomes, multi-omics, insurance claims and electronic health records.
Andrej Savol, PhD is a computational biologist specializing in precision oncology and next generation sequencing data analysis. In industrial contexts his focus has been development of novel biomarkers and diagnostic methods that aid clinicians in treatment selection. He is currently a strategic team leader at Foundation Medicine, Inc., a precision diagnostics and informatics company.
He completed his PhD in Computational Biology at the University of Pittsburgh and worked for several years at Massachusetts General Hospital in their Molecular Biology Department. His research interests span the multiomics space and have drawn on close collaborations with researchers leveraging RNA-seq, DNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and ATAC-seq data in search of better diagnostic solutions and richer understanding of cellular behavior.
Nima Nouri, PhD, is a data scientist specializing in bioinformatics and computational immunology. He earned his PhD in Physics from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kentucky and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Computational Immunology at the Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Nouri develops computational workflows and algorithms for the analysis of high-dimensional datasets generated by next-generation sequencing technologies, including bulk and single-cell–resolution data. His expertise spans machine learning and artificial intelligence, with applications across therapeutic areas such as target credentialing and prioritization, as well as biomarker discovery.
What inspired you to pursue your current field of study/research?
After high school, I pursued a degree in biology, driven by my passion for the life sciences. However, my curiosity for technology, particularly software and computational tools, led me to explore the intersection of biology and data science.
Bioinformatics perfectly blends these fields, allowing me to bridge my biological background with computational techniques. Pursuing an MS in Bioinformatics has been the ideal way to satisfy my curiosity and deepen my understanding of this evolving discipline.
Have you participated in any co-op or study-abroad programs? How was that experience?
I am currently seeking a co-op position for Summer 2025 and actively applying to various opportunities. In Summer 2024, I completed a pre-co-op course that equipped us with essential skills for the co-op application process, including resumé/CV reviews, cover letter writing, and interview preparation. I found this course invaluable in understanding the significance of every keyword in a resume or cover letter, ensuring a more strategic and effective approach to job applications.
What kind of extracurricular activities are you involved in?
I currently serve as a student representative for the Bioinformatics program in the Program Advisory Committee (PAC). Additionally, I represented the College of Science (COS) as a student representative at Northeastern University’s Open House event. These roles have allowed me to actively contribute to the program and engage with prospective students, providing insights into the curriculum and student experience.
What has been the highlight of your experience in COS so far?
My journey in COS has been incredibly rewarding. Although our campus is small with limited infrastructure, the faculty and staff have been exceptionally supportive. They are quick to find solutions and always guide us in a clear, positive direction. Additionally, the on-campus activities organized by COS have been invaluable in helping students like me build connections and expand our network within the campus community.
Have you had any professors or mentors who really made an impact on you?
From my first semester in Bioinformatics, Professor Oyeronke has had a significant impact on me, shaping my thought process and encouraging me to think outside the box. She takes the time to understand our challenges, provides clear solutions, and pushes us to go beyond our limits.
At the beginning of the semester, Professor Oyeronke told us that she wouldn’t spoon-feed us; in a master’s program, we needed to change our way of thinking. This advice has been incredibly valuable in all my subsequent learning.
Yash Maheshbhai Patel ’25, MS Bioinformatics
Additionally, Professor Oyeronke has always been accessible, allowing us to reach out to her on Teams whenever we face issues. She responds promptly, offering the guidance we need. Her approach is truly inspiring, as she focuses on fostering genuine learning rather than just completing assignments for the sake of the curriculum.
Where do you see your field of study/research taking you?
Over the past year and a half, I have experienced significant growth. Starting as a novice in bioinformatics, I have developed a strong understanding of programming in Python and R, and gained hands-on experience working with real-world genomic data. After graduation, I look forward to pursuing a career as a computational biologist or junior bioinformatics scientist, as part of my first professional role.
What kind of impact do you hope to make after you leave Northeastern?
After graduating from Northeastern, I will continue serving as a PAC member until 2027. During this time, I aim to make a positive impact on the curriculum, enhancing its learning criteria to benefit future students. As for my personal aspirations, it would be a dream come true to work in the bioinformatics field, particularly in rare disease research and cancer studies. I hope to contribute to research efforts that can make a meaningful difference and help people in the future.
What advice would you give students interested in pursuing a degree in science?
I’ll be honest with you: pursuing a science degree is not just an opportunity, it’s a privilege. You’ve worked hard to get to this point and earn your place in the world of science, but the journey ahead will be challenging, perhaps even more than you expect. However, believe me, all the hard work and struggles will be worth it in the end. You won’t just gain knowledge, but you’ll develop new ways of thinking and approaching problems. You’ll level up your skills in ways you can’t even imagine right now.
Think of yourself as raw gold subjected to heat and pressure in the furnace of this journey. Though the process may be tough, just like gold, your value will only increase, and you’ll emerge stronger and more refined. Keep going, it’s all part of the transformation.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I would like to give a special shout-out to the tours organized by the university. One that stands out to me was the visit to the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), which was truly inspiring. It provided an incredible opportunity to witness cutting-edge biotech and bioinformatics research in a real laboratory setting. Additionally, the university also arranges recreational tours, such as trips to the Ripley Aquarium and Niagara Falls. These tours are a great way to bond with peers and enjoy some time together outside of the academic setting.
Grace Seamster is a Senior Academic Program Operations Manager for the MS Bioinformatics program at Northeastern University. With a previous background in education and administrative support, her focus is on creating supportive operations and systems for Northeastern University students and faculty.
She has her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University, M.M. in Music Education from Boston University, and B.A. in Music from University of Massachusetts – Boston.
Dr. Oyeronke Ayansola earned a PhD in Bioinformatics and Experimental Evolution from Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom. She has worked as a senior bioinformatics analyst responsible for analyzing omics data, including single-cell and integrative multi-omics approaches of hospital patients. Her research has included microorganisms, genomics, genetics, evolution, cancer biology, and bioinformatics. She has taught at the undergraduate and graduate level, developed curriculum, and extensively mentored students.
During these three days, you’ll get a firsthand look into the Northeastern community and see if our top-ranked, experience-driven education is right for you and your goals.
Day 1: Connect with the faculty, admissions department, and current students from your program of choice, and learn about our powerful co-op programs.
Day 2: Meet Northeastern’s dedicated and helpful support staff from Global Student Success, housing services, financial services, career design, and many more.
Day 3: Get all your questions about the application and enrollment process answered by our enrollment counselors. These include one-on-one drop-in sessions with a dedicated enrollment counselor you can join throughout the day.