Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland
In March 2009, we were supervising nine students, registered at the Universities of Birmingham, Dundee, Edinburgh and York. Two of these students write of their experiences below.
When I was nearing the end of my MSc degree in Informatics, I
was faced with the difficult decision of where to pursue my PhD
research in machine learning and bioinformatics. In the end,
what persuaded me to stay in Edinburgh and join BioSS as a
PhD student was the consistent support and encouragement I
received from my BioSS supervisor during my MSc project. This
is without a doubt the most important aspect for any student,
and it has continued during my PhD. However, I have also
learned to appreciate the other advantages that doing a PhD at
BioSS entails, such as the diverse range of talents and interests
of the staff, and the contacts with other institutes that allow for
productive collaborations. The comparatively small number
of PhD students at BioSS means that each one of us gets all
the support they need from the administrative and IT staff. As
a BioSS student you will also have the opportunity to attend
conferences and workshops both in Edinburgh and abroad,
which will allow you to present your work to a wider audience.
I came to BioSS to do a PhD modelling disease spread in
badgers, in conjunction with SAC and the University of York.
BioSS provides a great environment for research, as I’m
surrounded by experts in the field when I need advice. I have
learnt several new techniques that extend the ones I met during
my MSc in Applied Mathematics, and my work is something I
can actually discuss with friends and not receive blank stares!
There is a very friendly atmosphere at BioSS, and all the staff
and students regularly have coffee together (where all sorts of
hobbies and politics are discussed), and sometimes organise
activities. The computing facilities at BioSS are excellent, all
the software I need is there, and so are the learning materials.
My first published paper should be ready soon.
