Another Interview!

Below are the answers to a few questions I sent to  Dr. Joanna L. Kelley PhD. For more info on her, see the bottom of the interview.

1. What is Bioinformatics?

Bioinformatics is the study of complex biological systems, including genetic information, including both the design of algorithms (a set of rules for problem-solving) and data analysis. The goal is to combine biological information to learn new things about biological systems. 

2. What type of organisms do you study?

In my research, I study the genomes of two different species of fish. One fish lives in Mexico and some of the populations of fish live in streams with toxic levels of hydrogen sulfide, yet the fish are able to survive there. The other fish I study lives in the mangrove swamps in the southern US and Caribbean. 

3. Your job sounds really complicated. What is it that you do?

I am a professor of Biological Sciences at Washington State University. My job includes running a research lab and teaching college students. 

4. What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is that I am always thinking about and working on new ideas. The research aspect of the job is very interesting and I am able to make new discoveries and follow different ideas that interest me. 

5. How do you keep all of those big long words in your head?

I am able to keep long words in my head through practice. Sometimes I need to re-lookup words to make sure I have the definition correct. I use google and other online dictionaries to keep things straight when I need to. 

6. What tools do you use?

The majority of my work is done on the computer. I run computer programs and write some of them too. There is a part of the work that is done in the wet laboratory too. I like to keep a mix of the different kinds of work. 

7. What was it like when you went to Switzerland? Was it interesting?

My trip to Switzerland was very interesting. I was invited to visit the laboratory of Professor Jeffrey Jensen. I spent several days speaking with different researchers there about their work and I had an opportunity to present my work to the group as well. In addition to the great science, it was also beautiful in Switzerland and very interesting to see another place in the world. 

Sincerely, 

Joanna Kelley

Joanna L. Kelley, PhD

Assistant Professor, School of Biological Sciences

Member, Center for Reproductive Biology

Washington State University

Well, that was my letter. Thanks Dr. Kelley!!

Over & Out!
Elise