My name is Oliwia and I am studying the MSc Bioinformatics (Online) course at the University of Birmingham. I also work as a Biotechnologist in Oxford, specialising in cell and gene therapeutics.

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary topic, merging large biological data with statistics and programming. It enables us to rapidly (relative to a wet-lab environment) analyse genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic, and other ‘omics’ datasets and make inferences on a range of medical or environmental issues.

I received this scholarship being a woman in STEM which I am incredibly grateful for. Women do not receive the recognition they deserve in either biology or computer science. Less than a quarter of all STEM occupants are female, and while more correspond to the biological field, the disparities in research focus would give the impression of the contrary. Being able to support fellow females within AI and Data Science, specifically bioinformatics, is something that would have been far more difficult without this scholarship, as I now have more time dedicated to engaging with my course, excelling in it, and tailoring my learning to ensuring equity in the field.

The scholarship itself also relieves a lot of stress. The government loan doesn’t cover the costs of this degree, meaning students will always have to cover a significant portion from their own pockets. Working full time would help with this, but between covering for tuition fees and living costs (rent, bills, groceries, car, etc…), financial stress will inevitably hit. The scholarship means I can make the most from my industry learning, as well as my degree, and not feel a constant weight on my shoulders, which undoubtably would negatively affect both my academic and professional performance. I have also been able to buy a new laptop to aid my studies (a benefit of receiving a cash payout as opposed to a tuition fee deduction). Having an increased workload and programming every day is not something my old laptop would be able to handle and would ultimately come under an additional financial burden of progressing my learning. There is no reason why bettering ourselves should be avoided due to personal economic standings, and this scholarship provides a lot of support in this department.

The University of Birmingham offer an incredibly structured and well-thought-out course, accessible for students from either a biological or computer science background. Each module runs for 8 weeks and offers lectures with optional and required readings, group discussions, quizzes, practical activities, masterclasses, allocated time for reflective practice, and two summative assessments. I feel there is a lot of support from both staff and peers to excel within the course, with regular feedback to discussions and activities to ensure you’re on the right track. There is also an allocated time every week for a drop-in session to address any queries you may have. The course progresses at a good pace, there is sufficient time to process the weeks content and thoroughly understand it, whilst not getting too comfortable and “bored” due to a lack of progression. If anybody planning to enter the field of bioinformatics is anxious to start due to a lack of experience in either programming/biology, this masters offers incredible support for students of either discipline. Of the two, the programming aspect is what I am least familiar with, however, with the support and structure the course provides, I don’t see this ever becoming an obstacle that is not combatable.

Whilst I was always passionate about biology, I had never been introduced to the significant role programming had in research until the second year of my undergraduate degree (BSc Biology at the University of Southampton). I grew to understand the pivotal role coding has not just in the generic computer science field, but across every aspect of our lives. However, studying a broad field such as biology did not expose me to the programming foundations necessary to excel in bioinformatics.

Following my brief introduction to bioinformatics, I was instantaneously captivated by the field. Bioinformatics offers a lot of promise and assures lifelong learning as new discoveries and techniques are made and become available. The ability to accelerate the precision and effectiveness of medical advancements is what drew me in the most. Many patients worldwide struggle with either ineffective treatments, severe side effects, or just an overall inappropriate treatment plan resulting in a worse prognosis. The power of programming enables us to understand so much more about the functionality of all the different biological aspects within the body, encouraging the utilisation of personalised/precision treatments.

Following this degree, I wish to implement everything I have learnt from the industry and academia and ultimately accelerate the progression of medical breakthroughs. AI and data are becoming fundamental to all operations in the workforce and increasing familiarity and awareness of these should be highly recommended to anyone.