In CHOOSEMATHS grant winner profiles
CHOOSEMATHS Grant recipient profile: Tooba Jalalidil

Tooba Jalalidil

Monash University

I am a data analyst/data engineer with more than 6 years of experience. I study a masters of data science at Monash University and the title of my final thesis is ‘drug Network-based algorithm for drug discovery for malaria’.

My main skills are requirement analysis, detecting Key Performance Indicators(KPIs) and Critical Success Factors (CSFs), designing Business Intelligence(BI)/ Data Warehouse (DW) systems, data wrangling and developing predictive/descriptive models. My WAM is 82 and I got MITI scholarship, summer scholarship and Merit scholarship at Monash University. I am experienced in working with commercial(oracle and Microsoft) and open source (R, Python) tools to do my tasks as a data analyst. I look for a PhD opportunity focused on Genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics research or neuroscience. I am highly interested in discovering hidden patterns in biological fields using statistical/mathematical approaches and machine learning techniques.

You attended AMSI BioInfoSummer, what drew you to this event? What was the most valuable part of AMSI BioInfoSummer for you in terms of furthering your career in mathematical sciences?

The most valuable part of the conference for me was the workshops. I have recently started working with biological data so learning about biological concepts as well as some tips to consider when working with biological data was very useful. Becoming familiar with the typical and standard forms of statistical analysis for biological data was the greatest achievement for me. Additionally, I was able to meet and form connections with some researchers/ professors that I believe will help me in future.

Did this event lead to any new projects, collaborations? What were some outcomes in terms of your work?

As I mentioned previously, I made some new contacts that I feel will be invaluable in the future. In fact, one of the contacts has already helped me by sharing some documentations which helped me a lot in my work. I was confused about the order of analysis that are required for my thesis. Now, I have a good insight into what I am supposed to do.

You received a CHOOSEMATHS Grant to assist your attendance at AMSI BioInfoSummer. How important was this in terms of your ability to attend and fully participate in the sessions throughout the week? How did you hear about the grant?

My supervisor informed me about the event. As I work and I pay my tuition fee, I would not have been able to attend to the event without the grant.

Did you always want to pursue a career in maths? Were you encouraged to study these subjects at school?

My best teacher for maths was my eldest sister. She was patient and I felt no stress asking her to explain something again and again until I understood it. She had a solid understanding of math and she was able to explain everything in the simplest way. I believe being able to explain math in a simple way and being able to be patient are 2 keys to motivate student to do maths.

Where do you see yourself in five or ten years time?

I like working on human disease and doing practical work, like the work I am doing currently for my thesis. I hope to continue discovering hidden patterns and creating predictive models.