About me

My official title is Bioinformatics Software Developer, but that doesn’t quite cover what I do. Yes, I write computer programs, but they’re usually for something larger (like a website application), rather than individual software packages.

I do data and text mining, statistical analysis, file parsing and data collection. I seem to spend most of my time debugging code, or trying to relearn my own programs when I need to add new features to existing programs.

I work and live in Ottawa, Ontario, though I’ve spent enough time in other parts of the province. Originally from Northern Ontario, I did my undergraduate at the University of Guelph in Molecular Biology and Genetics. After a few years, I decided I needed a change, so I went back to school and got my Post-Diploma Certificate in Bioinformatics from Seneca College in Toronto. I moved to Ottawa directly after graduating, and was lucky enough to find work in my field fairly quickly.

Currently, I work for a scientist at one of the research institutes in Ottawa, as part of the Bioinformatics Group. We’re a group of about 7 people who do what I’ve mentioned above, and much more. We currently have a 50 node cluster from Sun, which is used quite extensively, as well as multiple other servers used for development and sustaining of various websites.

I love my job, and all the people there. My lab is a great place to work and learn, and the opportunities available there are fantastic.