Bioinformatics Programs

[alfred.d]

Hi everyone!

I'm planning on applying PhD in bioinformatics this year, given an MS degree in biostatistics 2 years ago. I've been doing research mostly on EHR and machine learning on that, so my previous PI and I both think bioinformatics would be the best fit for me.

 

Well one question comes to me a lot recently while researching programs... I found some PI doing great research and I'm quite interested in their projects, but it seems that many of the professors combining EHR and machine learning are from a CS department... which I think would not be realistic for me to apply, even some CS department has a specific research area in bioinformatics/computational biology. However, when I took a look at departments like MIT CSBI, or U W BIME, they seem not have a main focus on those areas... Sometimes the PI's of interest also have an affiliation to those programs, but their main affiliation are still in CS department.

Well, it may get confusing... basically, programs (I "should" apply) (bioinformatics/computational biology) do not 100% comport with my interest, but I'm afraid of applying for CS programs with my favorite PI's. What should I do? Should I start shooting emails to those PI's and see if there's a chance in CS program? Or I should focus on the programs more, since there's a chance I would do research in some other area??

 

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[jmillar]

2 hours ago, alfred.d said:

Well one question comes to me a lot recently while researching programs... I found some PI doing great research and I'm quite interested in their projects, but it seems that many of the professors combining EHR and machine learning are from a CS department... which I think would not be realistic for me to apply, even some CS department has a specific research area in bioinformatics/computational biology. However, when I took a look at departments like MIT CSBI, or U W BIME, they seem not have a main focus on those areas... Sometimes the PI's of interest also have an affiliation to those programs, but their main affiliation are still in CS department.

There are other programs such as biomedical informatics and health informatics that might be more of what you're looking for. Many programs with the title bioinformatics can be a bit genome heavy.

I would try contacting some of these PIs as well. I'm interested in a similar area to you, and my PI is in Mathematics, with an affiliation in bioinformatics. Wonderful programmer and helping me learn along the way.

[alfred.d]

9 hours ago, jmillar said:

There are other programs such as biomedical informatics and health informatics that might be more of what you're looking for. Many programs with the title bioinformatics can be a bit genome heavy.

I would try contacting some of these PIs as well. I'm interested in a similar area to you, and my PI is in Mathematics, with an affiliation in bioinformatics. Wonderful programmer and helping me learn along the way.

Thanks for replying!

Then as for your application, you applied Bioinformatics department? I think what worries me a lot is my working (researching experience) kinda letting me focus on a small area, but when applying for grad school, the committee will come from many areas, with only one or two sharing same interest as me. Previously, I thought my full-time job experience at university will be a plus for applying, but now it becomes a little worrying. 

Is this necessary? Or I guess my question is what the committee want from a fresh graduate vs someone with experience.

But in all, it's good to know that you're working with a very nice PI that could be a great pleasure and help. I think there are many this kind of combinations in an interdisciplinary field?