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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 where I am now the Assistant Professor of AI and Disease with dual affiliation to the Department of Pathology and Department of Genetics.
I am a fellow of St. John’s College where I am Sub-Director of Studies in Mathematics for Natural Sciences (Biology) and teach supervisions for Part IA Mathematical Biology. I also organise the Cancer Biology module of Part II Pathology and lecture on the Part III Systems Biology.
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 where I am now the Assistant Professor of AI and Disease with dual affiliation to the Department of Pathology and Department of Genetics.
I am a fellow of St. John’s College where I am Sub-Director of Studies in Mathematics for Natural Sciences (Biology) and teach supervisions for Part IA Mathematical Biology. I also organise the Cancer Biology module of Part II Pathology and lecture on the Part III Systems Biology.
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
XiangRu Huang
MPhil Student
I graduated from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, where I focused on bioinformatics. My interest in this field began with a curiosity about genetic work and an appreciation for the transformative power of computational skills in biological sciences. The summer internship and bachelor’s thesis I completed were both related to transcriptomic analyses based on scRNA-seq techniques. These experiences have solidified my desire to continue working in bioinformatics and to engage more deeply in bio-computational research. The dedication of the Boemo Group aligns perfectly with my ideal career path, and I'm excited to join the lab.
I am a photography enthusiast and enjoy playing video games in my spare time. I’m also keen on starting to learn the guitar bass soon.
Email: xh368@cam.ac.uk
I graduated from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, where I focused on bioinformatics. My interest in this field began with a curiosity about genetic work and an appreciation for the transformative power of computational skills in biological sciences. The summer internship and bachelor’s thesis I completed were both related to transcriptomic analyses based on scRNA-seq techniques. These experiences have solidified my desire to continue working in bioinformatics and to engage more deeply in bio-computational research. The dedication of the Boemo Group aligns perfectly with my ideal career path, and I'm excited to join the lab.
I am a photography enthusiast and enjoy playing video games in my spare time. I’m also keen on starting to learn the guitar bass soon.
Email: xh368@cam.ac.uk
Eva Zeng
Part II Pathology Student
I am a third year Natural Sciences student majoring in Pathology. I'm particularly interested in cancer biology and oncology therapeutics, having previously interned at a medicinal chemistry lab synthesising potential cancer chemotherapy. Although I am quite new to computational biology, and I am very excited to develop a more interdisciplinary understanding on cancer biology during this research project the Boemo lab.
Email: yz810@cam.ac.uk
I am a third year Natural Sciences student majoring in Pathology. I'm particularly interested in cancer biology and oncology therapeutics, having previously interned at a medicinal chemistry lab synthesising potential cancer chemotherapy. Although I am quite new to computational biology, and I am very excited to develop a more interdisciplinary understanding on cancer biology during this research project the Boemo lab.
Email: yz810@cam.ac.uk
Jessica Moore
Cancer Research UK MRes + PhD Student
I am a postgraduate research student, completing a rotation with the Boemo Group as part of my first year on the Cancer Research UK MRes + PhD in Cancer Biology programme. My first degree was in Engineering (University of Liverpool), during which I gained an interest in applying my knowledge of mathematics and physics to biological problems. Following graduation, I conducted research in biomechanical engineering, where I primarily focused on the computational modelling of ophthalmic surgeries. Alongside this work, I also conducted research in computational biology, focusing on the mathematical modelling of circadian gene expression networks, and the spatial heterogeneity in circadian behaviour which gives rise to spatio-temporal patterns of gene expression.
Having observed the utility of machine learning in my research, I decided to gain a more thorough education in this area by completing an MPhil in Data Intensive Science at the University of Cambridge. During this time, I worked on a project using deep-learning approaches to fuse multi-modal clinical data (RNA sequencing, copy number variation, histology slides) for glioma survival analysis and histological grade classification. I’m excited to continue working on cancer-related projects in the Boemo group.
Outside of work, I like to play Australian rules football and enjoy playing the piano, guitar and drums, albeit not very well.
Email: jm2587@cam.ac.uk
I am a postgraduate research student, completing a rotation with the Boemo Group as part of my first year on the Cancer Research UK MRes + PhD in Cancer Biology programme. My first degree was in Engineering (University of Liverpool), during which I gained an interest in applying my knowledge of mathematics and physics to biological problems. Following graduation, I conducted research in biomechanical engineering, where I primarily focused on the computational modelling of ophthalmic surgeries. Alongside this work, I also conducted research in computational biology, focusing on the mathematical modelling of circadian gene expression networks, and the spatial heterogeneity in circadian behaviour which gives rise to spatio-temporal patterns of gene expression.
Having observed the utility of machine learning in my research, I decided to gain a more thorough education in this area by completing an MPhil in Data Intensive Science at the University of Cambridge. During this time, I worked on a project using deep-learning approaches to fuse multi-modal clinical data (RNA sequencing, copy number variation, histology slides) for glioma survival analysis and histological grade classification. I’m excited to continue working on cancer-related projects in the Boemo group.
Outside of work, I like to play Australian rules football and enjoy playing the piano, guitar and drums, albeit not very well.
Email: jm2587@cam.ac.uk
Group Photos
November 2023
From left: Nisha Gangadharan, Shutong Ye, Pauline Pfuderer, Sarah Chapman, Rosie Berners-Lee, Francisco Berkemeier, Michael Boemo, Annie Huang, Faye Lynch Williams
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
Faye Lynch Williams
Part II Pathology Student
I am a third year medical student at the University of Cambridge, undertaking an intercalated degree in Pathology. I'm particularly interested in cancer biology and especially enjoy the computational side of research. Having first been exposed to programming and manipulating large datasets in a placement I did at the Sanger Institute, I'm really looking forward to learning more during my 9 month project in the Boemo group, working alongside my supervisors Pauline and Mike to investigate DNA replication fork stalls.
Email: fl432@cam.ac.uk
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