Camp Description
All participants will learn Basics of Genetics and R Programming, as well as listen to and network with Bioinformatics professionals. Imagine you work at a genetic counseling clinic, and every day you have patients who would like to learn more about their chances of passing down genetic disorders that have been in their families. Your goal is to take the information from 1 such couple who is considering having children, and are at risk for/ have multiple genetic disorders. Based on the diseases, how they are inherited, and the genetics of the parents, with their gene dataset, you will research and present your findings as a team !
Bioinformatics / Genetics Mentors
Amrita Paul
Senior Director, Clinical
Biomarkers & Diagnostics, Amgen
Daniel Ellwanger
Principal Scientist (Bioinformatics
Technologies), Amgen
Bharath Ramachandran
Director, R&D Information
Systems, Amgen
Ruchir Sharma
Specialist Software Engineer,
Amgen
Ittai Eres
Senior Scientist,
Amgen
Shivani Gupta
Senior Associate Scientist,
Amgen
John Wright
Engineer.
Amgen
Pranav Senthilkumar,
Youth Officer,
Shooting Stars Foundation
90
Take a look at 2023 Amgen Bio-informatics Camp Recap Below
AMGEN Bioinformatics Camp Impacts:
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92% reported that they were very likely to pursue an academic or career path in STEM
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93% of students reported their understanding and level of confidence with bioinformatics concepts significantly by participating in this camp
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70% of students reported their understanding and level of confidence with programming significantly by participating in this camp
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100% of students reported that they would recommend this camp to their friends
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100% of students reported that they would be interested in future SSF camps covering different set of STEM topics
AMGEN Bioinformatics Camp Testimonial:
“One of the things I found most interesting was how long the process of drug development actually takes and I learned more about what the process entails. I found the lecture to be intriguing and informative.”
-Japneet, Participant
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the student need to have prior experience programming to participate in the program?
No. The program is tailored for students of all programming backgrounds. During the weeks preceding the program, as well as at the beginning of the program, students will receive guidance on both setting up all the software necessary for the program, as well as the basic programming constructs necessary to complete the program.
2. What will students gain from the program? Will it help them through their future career and time in college?
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After completion of the program, students will be familiar with several computational methods used by researchers on a day to day basis. In addition, each student will complete an independent project, providing them with an avenue to showcase the skills that they have learned to future labs, universities, and employers. This project will also give students the creativity and ability to learn, discuss, and interpret more advanced computational methods to analyze the data.
3. What if my student already knows how to program?
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Basic programming is not the majority of what will be taught, the vast majority of the program will focus on applying programming skills to different biological contexts. In addition, there will be mentors who have significant experience with research, who will be able to guide students through any difficulties they may encounter. Students will be guided by these mentors throughout the project, where they will have the opportunity to utilize more advanced techniques if they wish.
4. Are there any general courses from high school necessary for participation?
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No. The program is open to students from all backgrounds in both biology and computer science. While an introductory or AP course in biology is generally somewhat helpful, students have succeeded without these courses. During the introductory survey, students can share their coursework backgrounds so that the mentors are aware of these nuances.
5. What is the daily schedule and time commitment?
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Generally, in the morning, students will receive instruction about a selected topic in an interactive lecture style format. In the evening, students will complete their individual projects and receive guidance from both professional mentors, as well as peers who have completed the program. The final day will serve as a showcase for students to present their work.