Dr Euan McDonnell BSc, MSc, PhD

Personal Statement

I am a Bioinformatics Data Scientist with the Computational Biology Facility (CBF) based at the University of Liverpool, Shared Research Facilities. My role primarily involves undertaking short-, medium- and long-term data analysis research projects for academic and clinical collaborators. A majority of my work is based in analysing 'omics datasets. It also encompasses co-hosting the CBF's R courses, R for Data Science and R for Beginners as well as providing 1-on-1 analytical support to collaborators.

I began my journey into bioinformatics during my integrated masters, where I analysed RNA binding and cleavage sites of the E. coli endoribonuclease RNAse E. This was followed by a PhD constructing and analysing circRNA competing-endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and co-expression networks to better understand the life-cycle, pathogenesis and oncogenesis of Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus. Throughout my PhD I was involved in several courses and workshops with the Leeds 'Omics society, as well as providing tutoring and analytical support to fellow Masters and PhD students and undertaking some mini-projects. This sparked my curiosity in a career in University technical and analytical support services as well as working in a Bioinformatics Core facility. Inspired by this, I took up my position at the CBF and have since worked on over 6 projects, working with hospitals (Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool Women's Hospital) as well as internal, external and international research collaborators (University of Newcastle, University of Sumy, Ukraine).