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Our Team
Michael Boemo
Principal Investigator
My background is in mathematics and computer science, but I have always worked in and around biology laboratories since I started university. Originally from the United States, I completed a BA in mathematics at Rutgers University. I then moved to the United Kingdom to complete my PhD in physics at the University of Oxford as a Marie Curie Fellow where I was supervised by Andrew Turberfield (Oxford Physics) and Luca Cardelli (Microsoft Research). I stayed at the University of Oxford to do a postdoc at the Dunn School of Pathology, and was also based at St. Cross College where I held the Emanoel Lee Junior Research Fellowship in Medical Sciences. In 2019, I moved to the University of Cambridge to start my own group in the Department of Pathology.
At the University of Cambridge, I am joint lead of the Functional and Evolutionary Genomics research theme within the School of Biological Sciences. I organise the Cellular and Molecular Pathology Seminar Series, and I lecture on the Part III Systems Biology course. I am also a Turing Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.
Experience has shown that I do my best work when I balance science with other interests; I am an avid road cyclist and nature photographer.
Email: mb915@cam.ac.uk
My background is in mathematics and computer science, but I have always worked in and around biology laboratories since I started university. Originally from the United States, I completed a BA in mathematics at Rutgers University. I then moved to the United Kingdom to complete my PhD in physics at the University of Oxford as a Marie Curie Fellow where I was supervised by Andrew Turberfield (Oxford Physics) and Luca Cardelli (Microsoft Research). I stayed at the University of Oxford to do a postdoc at the Dunn School of Pathology, and was also based at St. Cross College where I held the Emanoel Lee Junior Research Fellowship in Medical Sciences. In 2019, I moved to the University of Cambridge to start my own group in the Department of Pathology.
At the University of Cambridge, I am joint lead of the Functional and Evolutionary Genomics research theme within the School of Biological Sciences. I organise the Cellular and Molecular Pathology Seminar Series, and I lecture on the Part III Systems Biology course. I am also a Turing Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.
Experience has shown that I do my best work when I balance science with other interests; I am an avid road cyclist and nature photographer.
Email: mb915@cam.ac.uk
Sarah Chapman
PhD Student
I initially did my BSc in theoretical physics at the University of Sheffield. During the summer of my 2nd year, I did a research project in the biology department to do with protein flexibility. That was my first introduction to biology research and the world of computational biology, and since then I became interested in learning about the different areas of biology that I could apply computational skills to. I then went do an MSc in Scientific Computing and Data Analysis at Durham University. I am now a Pathology PhD student.
In my spare time I enjoy learning how to do aerial silks acrobatics.
Email: sec97@cam.ac.uk
I initially did my BSc in theoretical physics at the University of Sheffield. During the summer of my 2nd year, I did a research project in the biology department to do with protein flexibility. That was my first introduction to biology research and the world of computational biology, and since then I became interested in learning about the different areas of biology that I could apply computational skills to. I then went do an MSc in Scientific Computing and Data Analysis at Durham University. I am now a Pathology PhD student.
In my spare time I enjoy learning how to do aerial silks acrobatics.
Email: sec97@cam.ac.uk
Pauline Pfuderer
CRUK PhD Student
I am a research student in Cancer Biology within the CRUK MRes + PhD Programme. Previously I did a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Heidelberg (Germany), studying abroad at Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and researching cancer immunology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston. Ever since doing a lab rotation in single-cell RNA sequencing at EMBL-EBI/Cambridge Pharmacology, I am really interested in the computational side of biology. Since then, I focus on programming rather than pipetting and am looking forward to working with the Boemo Group.
Email: plp27@cam.ac.uk
I am a research student in Cancer Biology within the CRUK MRes + PhD Programme. Previously I did a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Heidelberg (Germany), studying abroad at Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and researching cancer immunology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston. Ever since doing a lab rotation in single-cell RNA sequencing at EMBL-EBI/Cambridge Pharmacology, I am really interested in the computational side of biology. Since then, I focus on programming rather than pipetting and am looking forward to working with the Boemo Group.
Email: plp27@cam.ac.uk
Shutong Ye
PhD Student
I completed my MSci Mathematics at University College London, where I spent four years in applied math. In the last two years of my course, I was introduced to the biomath area and then I started my master's project, developing Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) with Artificial Neuronglia Networks (ANGN) model for the working memory and accuracy in pattern recognition problems. My previous study established my knowledge of mathematics and statistics and encouraged me to discover more computational applications in the biological area. Boemo Group is attractive to me because it provides a cross-disciplinary environment and most people have similar backgrounds.
In my spare time, I play tennis and badminton.
Email: sy432@cam.ac.uk
I completed my MSci Mathematics at University College London, where I spent four years in applied math. In the last two years of my course, I was introduced to the biomath area and then I started my master's project, developing Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) with Artificial Neuronglia Networks (ANGN) model for the working memory and accuracy in pattern recognition problems. My previous study established my knowledge of mathematics and statistics and encouraged me to discover more computational applications in the biological area. Boemo Group is attractive to me because it provides a cross-disciplinary environment and most people have similar backgrounds.
In my spare time, I play tennis and badminton.
Email: sy432@cam.ac.uk
Francisco Berkemeier
Postdoctoral Researcher
I am a Postdoctoral Researcher working with the Boemo Group in the Department of Pathology.
Previously, I completed a Bachelor's in Mathematics (IST, Lisbon) and an MSc in Functional Analysis under Prof. Diogo Gomes (KAUST, KSA). Motivated by the fascinating applications of mathematics and computation in the field of cellular and molecular biology, I decided to pursue a PhD in applied mathematics in biology at UCL under the guidance of Prof. Karen Page. My dissertation focused on the mathematical modelling of the Notch-Delta signalling pathway in various epithelial tissues.
The collaborative nature of the bio-mathematical community and the realisation of the importance of solid and well-developed mathematical and computational tools for comprehending relevant biological processes further inspired me to seek a postdoctoral research project. Specifically, describing errors in DNA replication and gaining a general understanding of the significance of stochasticity in the dysregulation of such processes is one of a number of pertinent questions that I intend to investigate in this new research project, with particular emphasis on the complex implications of sequencing data analysis on oncogenesis, together with the development of AI tools to facilitate such analysis.
Whenever mathematics and biology permit, you can find me playing the classical guitar or chasing a football.
Email: fp409@cam.ac.uk
I am a Postdoctoral Researcher working with the Boemo Group in the Department of Pathology.
Previously, I completed a Bachelor's in Mathematics (IST, Lisbon) and an MSc in Functional Analysis under Prof. Diogo Gomes (KAUST, KSA). Motivated by the fascinating applications of mathematics and computation in the field of cellular and molecular biology, I decided to pursue a PhD in applied mathematics in biology at UCL under the guidance of Prof. Karen Page. My dissertation focused on the mathematical modelling of the Notch-Delta signalling pathway in various epithelial tissues.
The collaborative nature of the bio-mathematical community and the realisation of the importance of solid and well-developed mathematical and computational tools for comprehending relevant biological processes further inspired me to seek a postdoctoral research project. Specifically, describing errors in DNA replication and gaining a general understanding of the significance of stochasticity in the dysregulation of such processes is one of a number of pertinent questions that I intend to investigate in this new research project, with particular emphasis on the complex implications of sequencing data analysis on oncogenesis, together with the development of AI tools to facilitate such analysis.
Whenever mathematics and biology permit, you can find me playing the classical guitar or chasing a football.
Email: fp409@cam.ac.uk
Nisha Gangadharan
Postdoctoral Researcher
As someone who has always enjoyed applying interdisciplinary approaches to solving biological problems, I find Boemo group an exciting place to work.
As an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Technology Bioinformatics (Karunya University, India), I worked on finding alternate factors for inducing pluripotency without the risk of tumour formation during cellular reprogramming of adult stem cells to embryonic-like stem cells. After my undergraduate I worked as a systems engineer at Infosys Ltd for three years. When I left my job as a senior systems engineer in 2016, it was to pursue a fully funded MSc in Stem Cell Technology at the University of Nottingham. In 2017, I moved to Cambridge to start an MPhil by research degree at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, where I worked on developing an integrative framework for knowledge discovery tailored for handling historical bioprocess datasets in collaboration with MedImmune (now AstraZeneca), who were also my sponsors. In 2019, I started a PhD at the same department, sponsored by AstraZeneca, to develop a data-driven model predictive control scheme for CHO cell cultures in fed batch bioreactors. The project was at an exciting intersection of engineering, data science and biology. I am looking forward to using all these skills to answer some of the pressing questions in oncogene-induced replication stress that drives cancer development, at the Boemo group.
When I am not working, I enjoy going for walks, cycling, and spending time with friends. On a quiet day, I like to unwind with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book that can keep me on my toes.
Email: ng435@cam.ac.uk
As someone who has always enjoyed applying interdisciplinary approaches to solving biological problems, I find Boemo group an exciting place to work.
As an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Technology Bioinformatics (Karunya University, India), I worked on finding alternate factors for inducing pluripotency without the risk of tumour formation during cellular reprogramming of adult stem cells to embryonic-like stem cells. After my undergraduate I worked as a systems engineer at Infosys Ltd for three years. When I left my job as a senior systems engineer in 2016, it was to pursue a fully funded MSc in Stem Cell Technology at the University of Nottingham. In 2017, I moved to Cambridge to start an MPhil by research degree at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, where I worked on developing an integrative framework for knowledge discovery tailored for handling historical bioprocess datasets in collaboration with MedImmune (now AstraZeneca), who were also my sponsors. In 2019, I started a PhD at the same department, sponsored by AstraZeneca, to develop a data-driven model predictive control scheme for CHO cell cultures in fed batch bioreactors. The project was at an exciting intersection of engineering, data science and biology. I am looking forward to using all these skills to answer some of the pressing questions in oncogene-induced replication stress that drives cancer development, at the Boemo group.
When I am not working, I enjoy going for walks, cycling, and spending time with friends. On a quiet day, I like to unwind with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book that can keep me on my toes.
Email: ng435@cam.ac.uk
Rosie Berners-Lee
MBiochem Student
I have just finished my 3rd year of a 5 year integrated masters in biochemistry at the University of St Andrews. During the summer of my 2nd year, I did a laboratory research placement investigating the effect of gene expression on the efficacy of novel cancer treatments. Whilst I enjoy working in a lab, I am intrigued by how computational methods can be used to expand our understanding of molecular biology. I am therefore extremely excited about spending my 4th year doing a placement with the Boemo Group where I hope to learn much more about this. In my spare time I also enjoy ballet and cross country running.
I have just finished my 3rd year of a 5 year integrated masters in biochemistry at the University of St Andrews. During the summer of my 2nd year, I did a laboratory research placement investigating the effect of gene expression on the efficacy of novel cancer treatments. Whilst I enjoy working in a lab, I am intrigued by how computational methods can be used to expand our understanding of molecular biology. I am therefore extremely excited about spending my 4th year doing a placement with the Boemo Group where I hope to learn much more about this. In my spare time I also enjoy ballet and cross country running.
Group Photos
March 2023
From left: Sarah Chapman, Eamonn Gilmore, Pauline Pfuderer, Francisco Berkemeier, Michael Boemo, Nisha Gangadharan, Shutong Ye
January 2023
From left: Francisco Berkemeier, Pauline Pfuderer, Sarah Chapman, Eamonn Gilmore, Shutong Ye, Michael Boemo
November 2022
From left: Sarah Chapman, Pauline Pfuderer, Shutong Ye, Michael Boemo, Francisco Berkemeier, Eamonn Gilmore
August 2022
From left: Shutong Ye, Pauline Pfuderer, Lara Camerini, Han Zhang, Sarah Chapman, Michael Boemo
October 2021
From left: Pauline Pfuderer, Sarah Chapman, Kishen Joshi, Michael Boemo
Former Members
Eamonn Gilmore
Pathology Part II Student, 2022-2023
I’m a medical student with a keen interest in cancer biology, having previously done a research project on transcription factors of ALK positive ALCL, a rare childhood lymphoma. I’m a novice to dry lab work and computational biology however, and am very interested in applying computational models to cancer biology.
In my spare time I enjoy running, hiking and reading.
Email: ecg49@cam.ac.uk
I’m a medical student with a keen interest in cancer biology, having previously done a research project on transcription factors of ALK positive ALCL, a rare childhood lymphoma. I’m a novice to dry lab work and computational biology however, and am very interested in applying computational models to cancer biology.
In my spare time I enjoy running, hiking and reading.
Email: ecg49@cam.ac.uk
Lara Camerini
Amgen Scholar, 2022
I’m a student at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Italy and I am in my second year of Medicine and Surgery. I am completely fascinated by the science behind the way our bodies work and in the last couple of years I have also discovered the world of scientific computing and working with the Boemo Group seems the perfect way to combine the two! I enjoy studying foreign languages and reading books. I also love being active: I do ballet and sail quite often, as I live by the sea. I am excited and eager to be a part of this team for this summer!!
I’m a student at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Italy and I am in my second year of Medicine and Surgery. I am completely fascinated by the science behind the way our bodies work and in the last couple of years I have also discovered the world of scientific computing and working with the Boemo Group seems the perfect way to combine the two! I enjoy studying foreign languages and reading books. I also love being active: I do ballet and sail quite often, as I live by the sea. I am excited and eager to be a part of this team for this summer!!
Han Zhang
Computational Biology MPhil Student, 2021-2022
I graduated with BSc in medical sciences at University College London, and during my undergraduate, I always had a specific interest in the quantitative aspects of solving biological problems. That’s why I decided to become a master's student at MPhil Computational Biology, furthering my skills and understanding with a range of tools and methods in computational biology. For my dissertation project in undergraduate, I applied novel network analysis to analyse organ system connectivity in cirrhosis patients and their ability in predicting survival outcomes. I like to do yoga and go swimming in my spare time. I look forward to working with the Boemo Group.
I graduated with BSc in medical sciences at University College London, and during my undergraduate, I always had a specific interest in the quantitative aspects of solving biological problems. That’s why I decided to become a master's student at MPhil Computational Biology, furthering my skills and understanding with a range of tools and methods in computational biology. For my dissertation project in undergraduate, I applied novel network analysis to analyse organ system connectivity in cirrhosis patients and their ability in predicting survival outcomes. I like to do yoga and go swimming in my spare time. I look forward to working with the Boemo Group.
Kishen Joshi
Pathology Part II Student, 2021-2022
Christopher Blaxland-Kay
Computational Biology MPhil Student, 2020-2021
I'm a masters student studying computational biology at the University of Cambridge, with a large interest in computational systems biology. I have a specific passion for the investigation of methodological frameworks in which to undertake the goals of systems biology, ranging from the use of biophysics to process algebras, in the hopes of one day creating more powerful techniques to aid in the solution of biological, pathogenic and systems medicine based problems.
I'm a masters student studying computational biology at the University of Cambridge, with a large interest in computational systems biology. I have a specific passion for the investigation of methodological frameworks in which to undertake the goals of systems biology, ranging from the use of biophysics to process algebras, in the hopes of one day creating more powerful techniques to aid in the solution of biological, pathogenic and systems medicine based problems.
Natasha Kowshik
Pathology Part II Student, 2020-2021
I’m a 3rd Year medical student at Cambridge University majoring in Pathology. I particularly love learning about cancer biology and virology, and I’m hoping to specialise in one of these fields in the future. In my spare time, I’m actively involved in music, activism, and archery.
I’m a 3rd Year medical student at Cambridge University majoring in Pathology. I particularly love learning about cancer biology and virology, and I’m hoping to specialise in one of these fields in the future. In my spare time, I’m actively involved in music, activism, and archery.
Yutong Angela Cai
A*STAR Summer Student, 2021
I grew up in China and Singapore before coming to UK to study Natural Sciences at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. My academic interests lie at the intersection of chemistry and biology, and I plan to pursue a PhD in this field. This summer, I am blessed with a summer internship with Dr. Beomo to investigate the effect of incorporating artificial analogue on Oxford Nanopore sequencing data. Another academic interest of mine is history and philosophy of science which enlightens me the purpose of scientific endeavours. In my spare time, I enjoy dancing, figure skating and learning new things.
I grew up in China and Singapore before coming to UK to study Natural Sciences at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. My academic interests lie at the intersection of chemistry and biology, and I plan to pursue a PhD in this field. This summer, I am blessed with a summer internship with Dr. Beomo to investigate the effect of incorporating artificial analogue on Oxford Nanopore sequencing data. Another academic interest of mine is history and philosophy of science which enlightens me the purpose of scientific endeavours. In my spare time, I enjoy dancing, figure skating and learning new things.
Chew Yi-Ting
A*STAR Summer Student, 2020
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Cambridge studying pathology, and I’m trying to learn more about computational biology too. In my spare time, I also enjoy painting and making digital illustrations.
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Cambridge studying pathology, and I’m trying to learn more about computational biology too. In my spare time, I also enjoy painting and making digital illustrations.
Clara O'Carroll
Harry Smith Microbiology Summer Student, 2020
I am currently a third-year undergraduate studying Genetics in Trinity College Dublin. I am really enthusiastic about the opportunity to be part of the Boemo Group at the Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge as an intern this summer. The computational skills developed this summer will give me a highly sought-after interdisciplinary skillset. I will be entering the final year of my genetics studies this September 2020 and this amazing opportunity will help me develop some critical research skills as I aim to pursue a PhD in genetics following my undergraduate degree.
I am currently a third-year undergraduate studying Genetics in Trinity College Dublin. I am really enthusiastic about the opportunity to be part of the Boemo Group at the Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge as an intern this summer. The computational skills developed this summer will give me a highly sought-after interdisciplinary skillset. I will be entering the final year of my genetics studies this September 2020 and this amazing opportunity will help me develop some critical research skills as I aim to pursue a PhD in genetics following my undergraduate degree.
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