Thomas Carroll

Head of Bioinformatics

Overview

  • PhD to Head of team.
  • Running a Core Team.
  • Conclusions.

My path.

Genetics BSc

Bioinformatics MRes

Toxicogenomics PhD

Bioinformatician

Senior Bioinformatician

Head of Bioinformatics

MRes to PhD.

  • Undergraduate and MRes in Genetics and Bioinformatics.
  • Wanted to generate my own data.
    • Wet-lab PhD in toxicogenomics
  • Worked closely with KCL Genomics Core.
  • Worked on many projects (from many labs).

PhD to bioinformatics support

  • Writing up in 4th year.
    • Sought job for final year.
  • Bioinformatics post (Epigenetics MRC CSC - Matthias Merkenschlager)
  • Great post and opportunities.
  • Wanted to work as part of larger team.
  • Senior Bioinformatics post (CRUK Cambridge - Rory Stark).
    • Greater responsibilities to team.
    • Software design and release.
  • Training at Cambridge Genetics.

Path to head of core.

  • Wanted to run my own core.
    • Designing
  • Wanted management experience.
  • Wanted to continue to work in interesting analysis projects.
  • Opportunity at MRC Clinical Science Centre

My Role

Head of Bioinformatics

The objectives

  • Institute bioinformatics analysis and infrastructure.
  • Create framework for learning Bioinformatics skills.
  • Assess future requirements.

Head of Bioinformatics:

Day to Day

  • Analysis Support.
  • Infrastructure.
  • Training/ Seminars.
  • Publications and software.

Head of Bioinformatics

Day to day: Data analysis.

  • Support bioinformatics analysis.
  • Working with Biologists and Bioinformaticians.
    • Experimental Design.
    • QC and initial analysis.
    • Downstream support (WIPS/lab meetings)
    • Publication and rebuttals.

Head of Bioinformatics

Day to day: Data analysis.

  • Support part or all of project?
  • Level of project which can be supported?
  • How to get most of collaboration?

Head of Bioinformatics

Day to day: Infrastructure.

  • Provide and maintain infrastructure.
    • Analysis infrastructure.
    • Project management infrastructure.
    • Resources.

Head of Bioinformatics

Day to day: Training.

  • Create a culture of bioinformatics learning.
    • Create courses and reference material.
    • Find training opportunities outside of CSC
    • Start collaborative training network.

Head of Bioinformatics

Day to day: Seminars.

  • Meet the Geeks! - Bioinformatics Seminar Series.
  • Arrange talks about methodology
    • Aim for relevant topics.
    • Discuss methods and issues.
    • Networking opportunity.

 

Head of Bioinformatics

Day to day: Publications and Sofware.

  • Contribute to publications
    • 4 years ~ on 35 publications
  • Release software
    • Infrastructure publically available
    • 2 Bioconductor packages released
    • Javascript tools.

Head of Bioinformatics

Good and bad

The Good

  • Freedom to meet objectives creatively.
  • Valuable experience.
  • Highly varied work.

The Bad

  • Work on many projects but few as lead author.
  • Increased freedom, less direction.

Any advice.

  • Take your time to plan your next move after PhD.
  • Get involved in work outside of your own
  • Attend societies and meetings to get networking early.

Thanks to!

  • Matthias Merkenschlager.
  • Rory Stark.

 

Bioinformatics Team

  • Gopuraja Dharmalingam    
  • Sanjay Khadayate