Bioinformatics using Python for Biomedical Researchers

Allegra Via is a physicist and scientific researcher in the Biocomputing Unit of Sapienza Università (Roma, IT) where she also teaches Macromolecular Structure, Python programming, Bioinformatics and Biochemistry. Her main research interests include protein structural bioinformatics, protein function prediction and analysis, and protein interactions, though recently she started projects on DNA methylation and protein-­RNA interactions. On top of her research activities, she is strongly involved in the design and delivery of bioinformatics training courses on Python programming for life scientists. She is the Training Coordinator for ELIXIR Italy, the ELIXIR.ITA local technical coordinator for Sapienza Università, and a member of the Global Organisation for Bioinformatics Learning, Education and Training, GOBLET. She has created the first Python course in GTPB in 2010 and has been an instructor in all the editions od BPB ever since. In 2014, she co-authored "Managing your biological data with Python", a book that budded from her experience as a training designer and as an instructor.

Affiliation: Sapienza Università, Roma, IT

Kaja Milanowska graduated bioinformatics at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. During her PhD research in Bioinformatics Laboratory, she worked mainly on the development of new biological databases, analysis of RNA maturation and degradation pathways and on pathways of DNA repair. She is an expert in the field of programming web applications in Django (she already has coached in two Django Girls meetings). She is interested in further education in the field of computer science (mainly web design, web applications, databases and Python programming). Currently she works at the Department of Gene Expression, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan dealing with the data from Next Generation Sequencing. From July Kaja is starting to work in two new projects at the Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsawa. In addition to her scientific research activity, Kaja also cooperates with non-profit organizations such as PyLadies Poland or Geek Girls Carrots. She is actively working in the popularization of programming, mainly among women. At the latest Geek Girls Carrots meeting, in May 2015, she gave 2 presentations. Kaja was a co-founder of PyLadies Poland and has been a sopporter of that community in Poland, co-organizing meetings, teaching, mentoring or delivering seminars. PyLadies is a worldwide organisation that aims at making the Python community more diverse, especially by making it more friendly and welcoming for women. In her spare time, she keen on practising highly energetc sports - her passion is running (half-marathons, marathons, orienteering), alongside with hiking in the mountains and mountain-biking.

Affiliation: Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Poznań, PL