Our bioinformatics faculty will walk you through how our program merges biology and quantitative science to provide you with the experience you need to transform the way you think about data and biological models.
In October of 2023, the Northeastern Chapter of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) attended the 2023 SASE National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference consisted of various workshops and panels led by industry leaders, networking opportunities, a hackathon, and a STEM career fair.
Companies like the CIA, Proctor and Gamble, Boeing, and the U.S. Department of State were present at the conference and held workshops teaching skills like financial literacy, navigating conflict in the workplace, and creating a professional support network. Other SASE chapters from around the country, like the chapters from the University of Central Florida, Georgia Tech, and Ohio State University, also attended the conference. The members of SASE who attended the conference thought it gave them valuable insights on how to improve both their professional and interpersonal skills.
One part of the conference that stood out to the attendees from the Northeastern SASE chapter was a workshop conducted by the CIA on how to craft an effective elevator pitch. During this panel, students created an elevator pitch about themselves and practiced delivering it by giving their pitch to five strangers. This workshop helped its participants improve their communication skills by teaching them how charisma can be used to produce an engaging interaction.
Hear about the conference from a few members of the Northeastern Chapter of SASE below!
Emilina Tran, third-year mechanical engineering major
My first day at the conference consisted mainly of workshops and networking opportunities. The first workshop I attended was hosted by the CIA and revolved around elevator pitches. We were tasked with creating a 30- second overview of ourselves, describing our goals, hobbies, interests, etc. , then finding 5 people from other SASE chapters to practice with. This alleviated my initial fear of putting myself out there and allowed me to learn a lot about other members, as well as myself. Later on in the conference, I would use the same tips from the workshop to introduce myself to new people, and I found myself getting more confident after each interaction.
Thanks to these newfound skills, I was able to connect with multiple other SASE chapters, such as Princeton, UT Austin, Colorado School of Mines, Georgia Tech, Louisiana State University, Arizona State University, and the University of Alabama. I was also able to interview with Procter and Gamble, a company that I’d had at the top of my list for co-op locations.
Khushi Khan, second-year computer science major and SASE Programs Chair
Not only was our professional development supported, but our cultures were celebrated as well. The good, events, and freebies were all related to Asian cultures in some way, showing us the ways in which our professional development can be uplifted alongside our cultural heritage.
The conference not only broadened my understanding of what the professional world has to offer, but also encouraged me to take pride in my culture after seeing people who looked like me working at my dream companies.
Esther Ho, second-year computer science and business major and SASE Pan Asian American Council Representative
One of the most rewarding aspects of my experience at the National Conference was the chance to bond with my fellow members from our university’s chapter. Our teamwork and shared commitment to personal and professional growth created a strong sense of empowerment.
We approached professionals, recruiters, and other SASE chapters, using our collective knowledge and support to make the most of the networking opportunities. We would go up to booths and representatives together to take out some of the initial fears of approaching a professional. This collaborative effort not only expanded our individual networks but also highlighted the strength and unity of our chapter. The connections and shared experiences we shared will definitely serve as a solid foundation for our future endeavors, both individually and as a chapter in the SASE and Northeastern community. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a supportive and driven group, and I’m excited to see how we continue to grow and make a mark in the years to come.
Alina Gonzalez, second-year data science major
I was able to network with many other Filipino professionals who shared their experiences and offered me resume critiques which built my confidence as a Filipino myself. I think sharing experiences is critical at this time of my life as I don’t really know what to expect. There is only so much you can learn from in classes, so I strongly believe that being able to connect with these professionals aided me greatly in terms of strengthening my professional development. From interacting with so many different people, I was able to strengthen my elevator pitch and introductions. I also got to see a wide range of resumes, and I now know what projects or courses I should align myself with to better prepare myself for job searching or co-op searching.
I-Ting Lo, fourth-year behavioral neuroscience major
The workshops and panels I attended at the National Conference significantly contributed to my personal growth and development. These sessions offered invaluable insights and practical skills that have enhanced my understanding of various aspects of personal and professional life. For instance, the elevator pitch workshop, presented by the CIA, redefined my perception of effective communication by emphasizing the importance of charisma and character in making memorable impressions. This lesson goes beyond presenting facts and highlights the significance of creating genuine connections in brief interactions. Additionally, the CIA resume review session was instrumental in improving my professional qualifications. Feedback from recruiters and their guidance on strengthening my resume not only improved my resume but also led me to seek more personal experience to further boost my credentials.
Furthermore, the panels on win-win negotiations and Mastering Financial Literacy provided concrete strategies for conflict resolution and responsible financial planning. The win-win negotiations panel equipped me with practical negotiation skills, including step-by-step approaches and email communication strategies for workplace conflicts. The insights gained from the Mastering Financial Literacy panel, particularly regarding responsible tax payment and the FIRE Movement, have reshaped my financial planning and underscored the importance of hard work in achieving realistic financial goals. The workshop on making a company work for you instilled in me the significance of resource utilization. It taught me to proactively seek support and resources within a company, fostering professional honesty and an emphasis on problem-solving.
Overall, the workshops and panels have played a pivotal role in my personal growth by providing practical skills and a fresh perspective on effective communication, career development, financial literacy, and resource utilization, which have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on my personal and professional journey.
Alexander Wang, first-year biology and data science major
The CIA and FBI both had the slogan “we’re hiring just about anything you could think of”, which, upon inquiry, I learned that the CIA had ongoing biology-related research aligned with my intersection of that and data science – intended for furthering reconnaissance and intelligence analysis. The FBI also had similar opportunities – it is truly intriguing to see governmental agencies, which supposedly only focus on forensics/crime scene investigations, are offering activities such as these. Having attended resume review sessions hosted by prominent companies that were also present at the career fair, attending this conference has allowed me to capitalize on my current strengths and strategically mend my weaknesses.
Overall, members of SASE considered this conference to be a success! The Northeastern chapter of SASE wants to extend their gratitude to the Northeastern College of Science for their ongoing commitment to the student organization.
Next year, the SASE National Conference is going to be held in Boston, and Northeastern SASE is looking forward to participating in the event.
Quan Wan is a bioinformatics specialist and cloud computing innovator dedicated to advancing scientific discovery through technology. With a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics from The George Washington University, Quan has made remarkable contributions to both research and education.
Starting as a Research Associate, Quan’s journey led him to become a Software Engineer, where he developed a pivotal data portal for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), enhancing accessibility to critical scientific data.
Transitioning to Sanofi Digital R&D, Quan provided invaluable support to bioinformatics scientists, fostering advancements in drug discovery. His expertise is underscored by seven publications illuminating key facets of bioinformatics and scientific computing.
In addition to their career, Quan Wan is a passionate educator. Since 2021, he has been teaching Bioinformatics Methods, Database Management Systems, Data Warehousing Technologies, Big Data and Web Mining, and Data Structures & Algorithms at Northeastern University. This dedication to knowledge sharing exemplifies Quan’s commitment to the convergence of science and technology.
As a pivotal member of a team building a robust cloud computing platform for Sanofi, Quan Wan continues to drive innovation at the intersection of technology and the life sciences, shaping the future of pharmaceutical research and development.
Dr. Yupu Liang joined Alexion as the head of bioinformatics engineering in September 2022. She is responsible for the development and implementation of integrated data solutions to facilitate streamlined and comprehensive data access and analysis.
Dr. Liang bring over 20 years of experience and leadership in data science across compactional biology, cancer genomics, translational research, and clinical genomics.
Prior to joining Alexion, Dr. Liang was the team lead for clinical genomic platform (Profile) at the DFCI. Before that, she held the position of the Director of Research Bioinformatics at Rockefeller University, where she established a research bioinformatics group that conduct independent research while collaborating with investigators across all disease areas within the center for clinical and translational research. Additionally, she served as co-PI of the CTSA grant during her time at Rockefeller University . Prior to her tenure at Rockefeller, Dr. Liang was a Senior Bioinformatics Engineer and Group Leader at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Dr. Yupu Liang obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Nanjing University and her PhD in Computer Science from CUNY
Join the members of New England Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (NE GWiSE) at our 2023 Spring to Action conference! This is an annual event where we connect members of our community to discuss promoting equitable environments within academia. Come meet graduate students from other universities as we embark on a day of networking, panels, and workshops to foster collaborations and friendships across the greater Boston area!
This year’s conference will focus on confronting toxic academia culture within STEM. We will hear from speakers who have experience promoting inclusive academic and workplace environments, discuss recurring issues experienced by members of our community, and address the inequities and unspoken rules of academic culture that drive away marginalized students including female, BIPOC, first-gen, queer, disabled, and international students.
We are thrilled to announce our Keynote Speaker: Audrey M. Grace. Audrey Grace is an experienced facilitator, connector, and project manager who has spent over 15 years serving strategically excluded populations. For the past 6+ years, Audrey’s focus has been on building individual and organizational capacity around social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). When she is not working to build more effective and equitable organizational cultures, Audrey works to make her community a more welcoming and inclusive place. In addition to serving as an elected and appointed town official, Audrey facilitated free courses on racial healing and culturally responsive teaching for her community members.
Audrey Grace currently serves as the Director of Learning for the Association of Research Libraries. She previously served as the Vice President of Inclusive Excellence and Chief Diversity Officer at Regis College. Audrey holds a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law, a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish, with a minor in African and African American Studies, from the Fordham University at Lincoln Center Honors Program.
Fungal disease that poses threat to sick people in health care settings likely to continue to spread, Northeastern biotechnology expert says
The alarming rise in cases of a fungal disease in health-care facilities will continue to pose a threat until an effective drug treatment can be developed, a Northeastern biotechnology expert says.
“If (Candida auris) is resistant to antifungal medications, it’s just going to continue to become more dominant,” says Jared Auclair, director of bionnovation in the Office of the Provost at Northeastern University.
Candida auris, also known as C. auris, is one of the newer fungal diseases known to health officials in the U.S., where it was first reported in 2016.
Read more from Northeastern Global News
Photo by Nicolas Armer/ AP
Maxim Wolf is an associate teaching professor and director of the MS in Bioinformatics, a professional science master’s program at Northeastern University. Dr. Wolf received his undergraduate degrees at the University of Maryland, College Park in physics, chemistry, and cell biology and molecular genetics. He went on to complete his PhD at MIT in computational and systems biology. His scientific interests are in the field of evolutionary biology and the impact of mutational and selection pressures on genomes across time.
Dr. Wolf also has a deep interest in teaching and learning theory and practice. He came to Northeastern after completing a teaching fellowship at Harvard Medical School specializing in teaching and curriculum development in Bioinformatics.
If Jared Auclair has his way, his lab at Northeastern University will help ensure that the U.S. is never again caught off guard by an emerging pathogen like COVID-19.
Auclair, technical supervisor of the university’s Life Sciences Testing Center, and his team are working with the Boston biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks to develop a system to test samples collected at airports and other places of entry to the country for monkeypox.
The process is serving as a test case for a partnership that could result in Northeastern University playing an important role in national biosurveillance and biosecurity programs, Auclair says.
“We’re thinking about a national infrastructure of response to future pathogens. We’re really thinking of what is entering the country and how we can monitor it,” he says.
“One of the most important parts of surveillance is response time,” Auclair says.
“If we see a report of a pathogen starting to come through the country like we saw with COVID in Seattle or monkeypox overseas, how quickly can we respond?”
In the case of monkeypox, the answer is two weeks.
Read more on News@Northeastern.
Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University.
Graduation 2022 is right around the corner at Northeastern University! We’re sharing two Instagram takeovers featuring an undergraduate and graduate student, celebrating our soon-to-be graduates. This week, Rujuta Kshirsagar, a recent graduate of our Master of Science in Bioinformatics program, shares her experience with our community. Follow along for an inside look at her time in the College of Science!
Q: Why did you decide to enroll at Northeastern University and pursue a degree in bioinformatics?
After completing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biotechnology, I worked in the industry for four years. I always wanted to do something that would positively impact the patient community so I decided to move to the clinical side of biology.
During my experience as a biologist, I was amazed by the use of informatics to decipher vast and complex biological data. This realization made me see the tremendous potential bioinformatics has in clinical research. I then decided to pursue a formal degree in bioinformatics.
While researching MS in bioinformatics programs at various universities, my main focus was securing practical exposure within the formal education. Northeastern has an exceptional curriculum framework and is a perfect blend of academics, research, and experiential opportunities. Moreover, I knew pursuing a degree from a university with a focus on global and cultural diversity would only enhance my learning experience and better prepare me for future roles.
Q: Are there any particular faculty or resources that helped you succeed in this program?
The faculty and staff at the College of Science are excellent. They provided all the necessary guidance throughout the coursework and assignments, often going above and beyond to help when needed.
As an international student, I found the co-op course especially beneficial, preparing me for my co-op experience and future full-time role. Alex Susienka taught this class, making sure he was available for help in any area we needed assistance with, including resume writing, mock interviews, etc.
Professor Sophine Clachar and Professor Martin Schedlbauer taught data analytics courses, and these courses prepped me for R programming language, which I applied at my co-op and am currently using during my full-time job.
Q: What do you believe is the biggest strength of the bioinformatics program?
I think it’s the way the program is structured. The coursework exposes us to most of the bioinformatics concepts used in the industry. As a result, I gained various skills and knowledge, including R programming, data analysis, machine learning, statistics using R, networking, presenting and public speaking, critical thinking, and biotech ethics.
Q: Tell us about your co-op experience.
I experienced co-op at Ikena Oncology. My role consisted of working with scientists and helping analyze large complex datasets and derive meaningful conclusions. I also built analysis workflows for RNA-Seq and transcriptomic data.
As an international student, this experience also guided my understanding of the U.S. work culture. In addition, it allowed me to interact and connect with people from various backgrounds, strengthening my cultural agility.
Q: During your time at Northeastern, what were you involved with on campus?
During my time on campus, I was a residential security office proctor and a teaching assistant for two semesters for a Khoury College of Computer Sciences data analytics course.
Q: You graduated in December; what have you been doing since then?
I started working full-time with Kymera Therapeutics as Associate Scientist, Computational Biology, in February 2022. My role consists of building computational pipelines for biological data analysis.
Q: What was your favorite aspect of being a student at the College of Science and Northeastern?
It’s the campus diversity. My time here allowed me to work and interact with people from all over the world!
Lindsey Alexanian shares their Northeastern experience in the Master of Science in Bioinformatics program, one of our professional master’s program offerings.
Q: Why did you decide to enroll at Northeastern University to pursue this degree?
I experienced my undergraduate degree at Northeastern, and I wanted to stay if possible. I knew that I enjoyed programming and data science, and I wanted to study this as it pertained to biology, so I chose bioinformatics.
Q: What has been your favorite part?
I’ve enjoyed being a teaching assistant (TA). I love programming, and I’ve found that finding other people’s coding mistakes has made me better. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed my machine learning class; the material was so fascinating that I decided I wanted to pursue a PhD to perform research involving machine learning.
Q: Are there any particular faculty or resources that have helped you succeed in this program?
My new advisor Tricia has been excellent! I also thought the lectures given by Professor Chesley Leslin and Professor Amin Assareh have been highly informative and interesting. I’ve also had the privilege of working with some very helpful TAs (especially Zanetta and Ashwini!)
Q: What are your post-graduation plans?
I plan to pursue a PhD in computer science and do research involving the use of machine learning in preventative health studies.
Q: What advice do you have for students in similar fields?
The best advice is to pursue what part of the field interests you the most. The people I know who enjoy the program the most are the ones who choose the concentration (or set of electives) that best caters to their skills and interests. Also, attend office hours! As a TA, I can confirm that the students who attend office hours and ask questions tend to be the most successful in their courses.
Learn more about our graduate programs and student experiences here.
Have you thought about pursuing a Master’s degree? Did you know that Northeastern has programs that allow you to start a Master’s degree while still pursuing your undergraduate degree? Our PlusOne programs allow you to count up to 16 eligible undergraduate credits toward a Master’s degree. This amounts to a 50% discount on graduate tuition. Come find out how to take advantage of this great opportunity on Monday, April 25th from 5:00-6:00pm EDT. We will be highlighting Master’s programs in Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Applied Math, and Environmental Science & Policy.
Join us for a panel with:
Dr. Kevin Broadbelt, Director and Professor, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Program
Dr. He Wang, Director and Professor, Applied Math Program
Alex Susienka, Co-op Coordinator, COS Graduate Pro