Hey everyone! This week’s BCBA meeting is going to be extra special—we’re hosting a movie night! Come watch the thought-provoking sci-fi film Gattaca with us this Tuesday, 3/11, at 5:30 PM in ILSB 302. We’ll have free popcorn for everyone, so don’t miss out on the snacks (and the chance to hang out with fellow bioinformatics enthusiasts).

Also, please note that there will be no meeting next week (3/18) due to Spring Break. We hope you enjoy the break and look forward to seeing you all at our movie night!

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Swathi Penumutchu, a former UMBC Meyerhoff and LSAMP Scholar, currently a postdoctoral researcher at MIT. Dr. Penumutchu, who earned her PhD in Pathobiology at Brown University, will share her journey, advice, and insights on pursuing a career in bioinformatics and beyond!

Date: Today

Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Where: Virtual Only on Webex

Webex Link: https://umbc.webex.com/umbc/j.php?MTID=m70ba429f2189e1c67099c7f12c2fba14

Upcoming Bioinformatics Events

November 7, 2024
Guest Speaker: Francis Collins
Join us for an inspiring talk by Dr. Francis Collins, renowned geneticist and former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the foremost figures in genomics!
Time: 5 PM
Location: PAHB 108

https://umbc.webex.com/umbc/j.php?MTID=m5eb81c2726b50932a38c3b31edd71861

November 13, 2024
World Science Day: Structural Biology Pasta Challenge
Celebrate World Science Day with our engaging and competitive Structural Biology Pasta Challenge! Teams of 2-3 students will use AlphaFold3 and pasta modeling to reconstruct protein structures based on given sequences and mutations from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Prizes will be awarded to the top teams: Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Challenge Details:

• Teams will receive PDB proteins with varying difficulty levels.

• Utilize AlphaFold3 to predict structural mutations.

• Reconstruct the 3D protein using pasta.

• Judged by the E-Board, winners will be announced at the end and will receive mystery prizes.

Time: 5 PM
Location: PAHB 107

November 27, 2024
Guest Speaker: Swathi Penumutchu
Join us for an enlightening session with Swathi Penumutchu, a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and UMBC alumna, as she shares insights from her current research and academic journey.

Time: 5 PM
Location: PAHB 107

Events:

First General Body Meeting (GBM):

Meet the Bioinformatics Club team, hear about upcoming events, and get involved in our exciting projects for the year.

Date & Time: October 11, 2024, at 5 PM
Location: ILSB 118

Events:

Training: Microsoft Virtual Training AI/Cloud Fundamentals

• Date & Time: Wednesday - Thursday, July 10-11, 2024, from 12 PM to 3 PM EST

• Location: Virtual (Details available on the Microsoft Training Page)

• 50% off Certification Exam Voucher, Free Azure Training (AI fundamentals, Cloud fundamentals)

Training: AWS Discovery Day: Machine Learning Basics

• Date & Time: Friday, July 12, 2024, from 9 AM to 12 PM EST

• Location: Virtual (Zoom Link)

• AWS Training Events and Certifications

• Free courses on Machine Learning Basics, Cloud, Prompt Engineering, Intro to Gen AI, and more.

Events:

Webinar: Bioinformatic Approaches to Understand the Role of the Human Microbiome in Health and Disease

• Date & Time: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM GMT (10:30am - 11:30am EST)

• Location: Virtual (Details available on the EBI training page)

• Speakers: Alexandre Almeida from the University of Cambridge

• Overview: Learn what the human microbiome is and why it is important, which bioinformatic methods are available to extract biological insights from metagenomic data, and recognize current challenges and limitations in the microbiome field and its long-term potential.

• First come, first served (1000 spots open)

Single Cell Genomics Day: A Virtual Practical Workshop

• Date & Time: Friday, March 29, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT (9:00am to 4:00pm EST)

• Location: Virtual (Livestream available on Satija Lab website and YouTube)

• Overview: Hosted by the Satija Lab, this workshop marks the seventh annual Single Cell Genomics Day. This event is designed to introduce participants to the latest developments in single cell genomics, including molecular technologies, computational approaches, and applications in biology. Keynote speakers include Ido Amit from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Jason Buenrostro from the Broad Institute, and Xiaowei Zhuang from Harvard University. The workshop is suitable for beginners and experts alike, with no registration required.

• Learn about: Cutting-edge molecular technologies, new computational strategies, and the latest research findings in single cell genomics.

Get ready for the BCBA club, your new hub for innovation in Genomics, Structural Biology, Machine Learning/AI, and more, launching Fall 2024! As we await approval, here’s what’s on the horizon:

• Innovative Monthly Seminars: Dive into the latest research with sessions from leading scientists, including UMBC alumni and renowned experts.

• Interactive Journal Club: Boost your analytical and presentation skills, discussing scientific breakthroughs in a monthly/bi-monthly community setting.

• Career Development Workshops: Elevate your career with resume workshops and study meet-ups in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere.

• Bio Bootcamp and Data Challenges: Tackle real-world problems using bioinformatics tools in exciting competitions, showcasing your skills and collaborating with peers.

• Conferences & Networking: Engage with industry leaders through enriching conferences, interactive sessions, and workshops, opening doors to new opportunities and insights.

Stay tuned for a transformative experience with BCBA this Fall 2024!