Meet our TAs
Marcus Thomas
2020 Program TA
Bio
As of January 2021, I am a recent graduate of the Joint CMU-Pitt PhD program in Computational Biology. The past five-ish years have been some of the most influential and interesting of my life thanks to the great community of people here. During my time in the program, I have worked in the Schwartz Lab on algorithms for investigating molecular self-assembly, and in collaboration with the Faeder and Murphy Labs on modeling immune cell signaling. My intermittent and elusive free time is devoted to more hobbies than I can keep up with including ballroom dance, clarinet practice, running, audiobooks, history and photography. I also attempt to learn new languages, both programming and natural, with more or less success. Future plans include starting a postdoc in the next few weeks at Mount Sinai in NYC. I will be developing artificial intelligence methods to help us better understand the evolution of viruses and of cancer.
Hanxi Xiao
2020 Program TA
Bio
Hi, my name is Hanxi, a master’s student in Automated Science: Biological Experimentation. I come from a pure biology background and have experience working as a full time bench immuno-oncology researcher. My goal for studying computational biology and automated science is to use mathematical tools and technology to answer immunological questions. Currently, my research focuses on using different machine learning models to study and integrate multi-omic datasets in a system’s immunology context, followed by using various bioinformatics tools and algorithms to do functional/pathway/network analysis. I also work in collaboration with clinicians to use novel computational tools to study patients’ single cell RNA-sequencing samples aimed to discover potentially mutated pathways. Outside of classes and research, I spend most of my time exercising, looking for good food in Pittsburgh, and wishing I have cats.
Maggie Zhang
2020 Program TA
Bio
I’m Maggie Zhang, currently majoring CB and completing a minor in Linguistics. I’m very interested in Natural Algorithms and how biological systems (cells, neuro-networks, colonies, etc.) can inform our understanding of computation.
Outside of CB, I usually spend my time on marine animals (especially octopus!), history of languages and theory of knowledge. Though I will mostly likely pursuit a PhD in Bio/CS-related field, I’m also considering the career path of a sailor (or chief scientist on ships), a chef, or an illustrator :)
Outside of CB, I usually spend my time on marine animals (especially octopus!), history of languages and theory of knowledge. Though I will mostly likely pursuit a PhD in Bio/CS-related field, I’m also considering the career path of a sailor (or chief scientist on ships), a chef, or an illustrator :)
Kunal Joshi
2020 Program TA
Bio
Hellooo! I’m Kunal, an undergraduate student studying Computational Biology, Machine Learning, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University!
My typical semester coursework includes at least one class from each of these disciplines and electives exploring further topics in Computer Science and Biology. Outside of my classes, I am working on mental health research, developing a meditation app, and serving as a teaching assistant for CMU’s theoretical computer science class (shameless plug: take 15-251 if you come here!).
Beyond academics, I’m a part-time barista at Starbucks, an amateur photographer, and an avid watcher of Korean Dramas (K-Dramas).
My typical semester coursework includes at least one class from each of these disciplines and electives exploring further topics in Computer Science and Biology. Outside of my classes, I am working on mental health research, developing a meditation app, and serving as a teaching assistant for CMU’s theoretical computer science class (shameless plug: take 15-251 if you come here!).
Beyond academics, I’m a part-time barista at Starbucks, an amateur photographer, and an avid watcher of Korean Dramas (K-Dramas).
Meghana Tandon
2020 Program TA
Bio
My name is Meghana and I am a sophomore studying Computational Biology with an additional major in Computer Science. I am interested in the intersection of computer science and medicine and how CS can be used for good. My long-term goals are to work in the biotech industry. I’m a member of Women@SCS as well as SIE, and for fun I enjoy painting and dancing.
Carly Houghton
2019 Program TA
Bio
Carly Houghton became a student in the CMU-PITT Joint PhD program in Computational Biology in 2018. She currently works in the Carvunis Lab at the University of Pittsburgh researching how novel genes evolve and integrate into existing cellular networks, using both wet and dry lab approaches. Following completion of her PhD, Carly is planning to pursue a career in academic research. In addition to her research interests, Carly enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and the outdoors.
Ayushi Sood
2019 Program TA
Bio
Ayushi graduated from CMU in 2020 with a Masters in Computational Biology, where she worked on a variety of short-term projects spanning omics, algorithm development, and bioimage analysis. She wrote code to find upstream ORFs in the McManus lab, researched bio-inspired algorithms in the Bar-Joseph lab, and analyzed microbiome data for the first iteration of the Comp Bio Pre-College program with Professor Compeau.
Currently, Ayushi is working as an AI/ML engineer at GSK, where her work is a mix of research and implementation for variant-to-gene mapping and active learning feedback loops. Her other research interests include explainable AI, meta-learning, and evolutionary algorithms. Outside work, she enjoys cooking, travelling, and indoor gardening.