Teaching/Learning/Leading-

Grad Students Organize Innovative Workshop

Grad students discovering possibilities of bioinformatics

One factor that characterizes top-tier science institutions is the level of student motivation. Engaged, enthusiastic students are an invaluable asset to a university. In this spirit, a team of graduate students organized a workshop August 13-15 on the emerging field of bioinformatics, in which computers are used to analyze large sets of genomic data. Anil Challa, a graduate student in molecular genetics, is one of the organizers. "This type of technology is important for anyone in the biological sciences. It can greatly enhance the speed of research," Challa said. "We are also interested in promoting a community of involved graduate students, and this kind of event motivates us and contributes to a spirit of enthusiasm."

Many upper-level graduate students do not have time to attend a quarter-long course, so an intensive "short-course" is a perfect alternative. The event was comprised of lectures along with small workshops to provide hands-on training. Two experts in the field, Dr. William Pearson from the University of Virginia, and Dr. Peter Cooper of The National Center for Biotechnology Information, were invited to give the lectures.

The event was an unqualified success, with over 150 people attending the public lectures. The workshop sessions, providing training in complex computer programs, were filled to capacity. Attendees included Ohio State students and faculty as well as students from other universities and local industry scientists.

Milan Jovanovic, a graduate student in Biochemistry and one of the student organizers, said the event surpassed his expectations. "It was a great mix of practical instruction and background knowledge. The more you understand about these computer programs, the more useful they are to your research. I am proud that students organized such a useful workshop, and I hope we will see more in the future."

Challa agrees that the workshop was a success, and also hopes that it will lay the groundwork for future student-driven programs. "We believe that a community of dedicated, engaged graduate students is the key to a successful research program."

Funding for the event was provided by the College of Biological Sciences; Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB); and the departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Plant Biology.

-Erin Umberger