Episode 57: StaPH-B - Docker containers for Public Health bioinformatics Part 1

In this episode of the microbinfie podcast, Kevin Libuit and Curtis Kapsak share their journey from biology students to bioinformatics professionals, highlighting the collaborative and innovative world of public health genomics.

Resources:

• StaPH-B GitHub Repository:

  You can access the StaPH-B Docker builds code repository at the following link: StaPH-B GitHub.

• StaPH-B DockerHub:

  Explore the StaPH-B DockerHub container repositories here: StaPH-B DockerHub.

• Contribution Guide:

  For those interested in contributing to the project, a comprehensive guide is available: Contribute to StaPH-B.

Key Points

1. Career Transitions in Bioinformatics

• Both guests started on pre-med tracks before discovering a passion for research
• Transitioned from traditional wet lab work to computational biology
• Valued quick feedback loops and scalability of computational approaches

2. Public Health Bioinformatics Fellowships

• Participated in APHL/CDC bioinformatics fellowship program
• Worked at state public health laboratories
• Developed skills in genomic sequencing and analysis

3. StaPH-B Community and Collaboration

• Introduced to StaPH-B community during early career stages
• Emphasize importance of open-source development and collaborative spirit
• Established Slack channel for communication among bioinformatics scientists

Take-Home Messages

• Bioinformatics offers diverse career paths beyond traditional medical tracks
• Public health fellowships provide critical training and networking opportunities
• Collaborative communities are essential for advancing scientific research