Oliver Kulinski
University of Tasmania
I have just completed my bachelor’s degree in medical research at UTAS and hope to undertake an honours year in the coming year. I aim to complete a PhD afterwards. My interests are in molecular mechanisms, neuroscience and using bioinformatics to aid in research.
Can you give me a quick overview of the type of mathematics you are studying and its potential applications or outcomes?
I have just completed my bachelor’s degree and hope to move into the field of bioinformatics, specifically to gain a greater skillset in the integration of multi-omics data to solve biological questions. This data has a fidelity and clarity that single omics approaches do not have.
How did you get into the mathematical sciences/bioinformatics?
Big data represents a new opening for the world of biology, and I believe knowing how to use the tools available and program ones anew is a crucial skill in the future.
What advice would you give to your younger self or others wanting to studying the mathematical sciences?
Look after yourself.
What was your motivation for attending AMSI BioInfoSummer?
My motivation was to gain an early understanding of how scientists convey their research, what fields of research are going to have a big impact in the near future and to identify which fields I think I should focus on in my career.
You received an AMSI BioInfoSummer travel grant to attend AMSI BioInfoSummer. How important was this in terms of your ability to attend and fully participate in the sessions throughout the week?
I live and study in Tasmania, so it was hugely beneficial to aid in getting out of the small isle and traveling to Melbourne to experience BioInfoSummer.
What was your main take away from AMSI BioInfoSummer?
I would generally like to study more mathematics and programming to aid in understanding the current landscape of bioinformatics and to eventually aid in my own research.
The coordinators are hugely knowledgeable and are willing to help anyone in furthering their career.
Where do you want the mathematical sciences to take you? Where do you see yourself in five- or ten-years’ time?
I would hope in five or ten years I will be working in an institute, completing my own research using multi-omics approaches and also aiding others to scour their own data for answers to their questions in biology.