May 5-8, 2025
San Jose McEnery Convention Center

Speakers

Patrick Sykala

Junior Computational Biology Developer
Ribbon Biolabs

As a computational biology developer, I am a multidisciplinary professional with a background in both computer science and the life sciences. My passion for biology and technology began during my undergraduate studies, where I majored in both computer science and molecular biology. This unique combination of disciplines allowed me to gain a deep understanding of biological systems while also developing strong programming skills. During my academic journey, I became fascinated with the potential of computational methods to solve complex biological problems. I pursued internships and research opportunities in labs that focused on bioinformatics, genomics, and computational biology. These experiences allowed me to work on projects such as developing algorithms to analyze genomic data, designing machine learning models to predict protein structures, and creating software tools to facilitate biological research. After completing my education, I transitioned into a career as a computational biology developer. In this role, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with biologists, bioinformaticians, and other scientists to develop software solutions that address specific challenges in the field of biology. Whether it's creating pipelines for analyzing next-generation sequencing data or building databases to store and retrieve biological information, I am passionate about leveraging my skills to advance our understanding of the natural world.