{"563791":{"#nid":"563791","#data":{"type":"news","title":"College of Sciences Welcomes Inaugural Class of Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Quantitative Biosciences","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENine graduate students will make up the inaugural Fall 2016 class of the College of Sciences\u0026rsquo;\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/qbios.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Einterdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Quantitative Biosciences\u003C\/a\u003E (QBioS). QBioS was established in 2015 by more than 50 participating program faculty in the College of Sciences. It is directed by School of Biological Sciences Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ecotheory.biology.gatech.edu\/people\/joshua-weitz\u0022\u003EJ\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/ecotheory.biology.gatech.edu\/people\/joshua-weitz\u0022\u003Eoshua S. Weitz\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/qbios.gatech.edu\/people\/faculty\u0022\u003EQBioS faculty\u003C\/a\u003E will train Ph.D. students to identify and solve foundational and applied problems in the biological sciences and prepare them for research challenges at scales spanning molecules to ecosystems,\u0026rdquo; Weitz says.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe QBioS program supports the College\u0026rsquo;s strategic goal to enhance the research ecosystem and provide new training opportunities. It is Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s third interdisciplinary Ph.D. focusing on life sciences, following the successful models for \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/bioengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBioengineering\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/bioinformatics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBioinformatics\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; As in these other programs, QBioS Ph.D. students can select a thesis advisor from the entire program faculty, irrespective of school. In this way, QBioS continues a tradition of fostering innovative, interdisciplinary research and education at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOf\u0026nbsp; the nine new students, four are from overseas and one is a Georgia Tech alumnus; five will be based in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/biosci.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, three in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E, and one in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.math.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Mathematics\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShlomi Cohen\u003C\/strong\u003E earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.technion.ac.il\/en\/\u0022\u003ETechnion-Israel Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E, in Haifa. Cohen followed his wife to Atlanta after she had been accepted to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/academics\/doctoral\u0022\u003EIndustrial and Systems Engineering Ph.D. program\u003C\/a\u003E at Tech, and he soon applied for his own doctorate.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECohen says QBioS is a natural choice for him, despite his engineering background. \u0026ldquo;I have been interested in biosciences for as long as I can remember,\u0026rdquo; Cohen says. In fact, he adds, he chose to study mechanical engineering at Technion because they offered a biosciences specialization.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;I look forward to obtaining knowledge and experience that will allow me to gain a set of professional tools to handle real scientific problems and achieve a better understanding of the amazing world around us.\u0026rdquo; Cohen will be based in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E during his time in the program.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENolan Joseph English\u003C\/strong\u003E comes to QBioS with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www2.howard.edu\/\u0022\u003EHoward University\u003C\/a\u003E, in Washington, D.C.\u0026nbsp; English says he was drawn to Tech for its \u0026ldquo;incredibly strong focus on computer science and interdisciplinary studies that pervade both the culture and research.\u0026rdquo; That Tech is his father\u0026rsquo;s alma mater also played a role in his decision.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The QBioS program allows one to experience many aspects of computational biology \u0026ndash; such as systems biology, bioinformatics, and bioengineering \u0026ndash;\u0026nbsp; while building a strong core of computational capability and understanding,\u0026rdquo; English says. \u0026ldquo;This strong core is what I desire most and is something truly unique to Georgia Tech.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhat most excites English about QBioS is the prospect of learning \u0026ldquo;how to translate an in silico knowledge base into an in vivo actualization of concept.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; For this reason, he says, \u0026ldquo;I am keenly interested in learning about modeling techniques at the transcriptome and genome levels.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp; English will be based in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.biosci.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EElma Kajtaz\u003C\/strong\u003E earned her bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree in behavioral sciences from the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.unsa.ba\/s\/index.php\u0022\u003EUniversity of Sarajevo\u003C\/a\u003E, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. No longer a stranger to Georgia Tech, Kajtaz had previously worked and studied in the former School of Applied Physiology, now the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/biosci.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, with Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/biosci.gatech.edu\/people\/richard-nichols\u0022\u003ET. Richard Nichols\u003C\/a\u003E. That research opportunity is what drew Kajtaz initially to Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;The interdisciplinary and quantitative approach to behavior and physiology emphasized by the QBioS program is perfectly aligned with my research philosophy and interests,\u0026rdquo; Kajatz says. \u0026ldquo;I am looking forward to learning and working alongside faculty and researchers from different disciplines to contribute to our understanding of biological systems.\u0026rdquo; Kajtaz will be based in \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.biosci.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ethe School of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlexander Bo-Ping Lee\u003C\/strong\u003E received his bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree in mathematical biology at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/\u0022\u003EHarvey Mudd College\u003C\/a\u003E, in Claremont, California. A paper on ant rafts by \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/biosci.gatech.edu\/people\/david-hu\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences Associate Professor David Hu\u003C\/a\u003E intrigued Lee and sparked his interest in attending the QBioS program. Lee is most excited to be a teaching assistant during his time in the program and hopes to become a professor one day, in line with his love of teaching. Lee will be based in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoy Elizabeth Putney\u003C\/strong\u003E received her B.S. in Biology and \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/catalog.wlu.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=3\u0026amp;poid=122\u0026amp;returnto=177\u0022\u003EPhysics-Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wlu.edu\/\u0022\u003EWashington and Lee University\u003C\/a\u003E, in Lexington, Virginia. She was drawn to QBioS by her love of research that uses quantitative techniques to study biology.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Life is full of examples of complex systems, from the molecular to the ecological scales, and most complex systems can be best understood using quantitative techniques,\u0026rdquo; Putney says. She\u0026rsquo;s excited to start research, taking advantage of the program\u0026rsquo;s rotation-based structure to gain experience in multiple labs. \u0026ldquo;This will give me the best opportunity to find a place where I can do research that aligns with my passions,\u0026rdquo; she says. Putney will be based in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.biosci.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPutney may work government or industry after completing the program, but that is a long way in the future. \u0026ldquo;I hope that Georgia Tech will point me in the right direction,\u0026rdquo; she says, \u0026ldquo;even if it ends up being something completely different from what I thought or expected.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPedro M\u0026aacute;rquez-Zacar\u0026iacute;as\u003C\/strong\u003E has a bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree in biomedical sciences from the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.facmed.unam.mx\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Medicine\u003C\/a\u003E at the\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.unam.mx\/\u0022\u003ENational Autonomous University of Mexico\u003C\/a\u003E, in Mexico City.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Georgia Tech is a very prestigious university where science and technology are at the frontiers of knowledge\u0026rdquo; M\u0026aacute;rquez-Zacar\u0026iacute;as says. \u0026ldquo;I like how students and professors from different fields join efforts to tackle complex problems in the most diverse fields of science.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EM\u0026aacute;rquez-Zacar\u0026iacute;as is excited to be part of the diverse and collaborative groups of scientist in the QBioS program. \u0026ldquo;I can\u0026rsquo;t imagine a better program for my doctoral degree,\u0026rdquo; he says. He looks forward to collaborating with various research groups and learning cutting-edge techniques to study how nature works. M\u0026aacute;rquez-Zacar\u0026iacute;as will be based in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.biosci.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStephen Anthony Thomas\u003C\/strong\u003E is no stranger to Georgia Tech, where he earned bachelor\u0026rsquo;s and master\u0026rsquo;s degrees in electrical engineering. But it is mathematics where Thomas finds his passion.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe QBioS program offers \u0026ldquo;a great chance to apply a subject I love \u0026ndash; mathematics \u0026ndash; to areas that can make a real difference to society,\u0026rdquo; he says.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA potential research focus for Thomas is mathematical modeling for epidemiology. \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s exciting to be able to work not only at Georgia Tech,\u0026rdquo; he says, \u0026ldquo;but also through partnerships with \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.emory.edu\/home\/index.html\u0022\u003EEmory University\u003C\/a\u003E on critical problems, such as countering antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections.\u0026rdquo; Thomas will be based in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.math.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Mathematics\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHector Augusto Velasco-Perez\u003C\/strong\u003E received his bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree in physics from the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.fciencias.unam.mx\/\u0022\u003EFaculty of Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.unam.mx\/\u0022\u003ENational Autonomous University of Mexico\u003C\/a\u003E, also in Mexico City. \u0026ldquo;I was looking for a graduate program and a place that could combine theory and practice, physics and biology, pen and paper, and high-performance computing with GPUs [graphics-processing units],\u0026rdquo; he says. \u0026ldquo;I wanted my work to be something that someone can use, something that I can point at \u0026ndash; big or small \u0026ndash; and say, \u0026lsquo;Look, I did that!\u0026rsquo;.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EQBioS fits the bill, and Velasco-Perez looks forward to working in a diverse community. The QBioS program \u0026ldquo;is a perfect opportunity for new ideas to be created,\u0026rdquo; he says.\u0026nbsp; Velasco-Perez will be based in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESeyed Alireza Zamani-Dahaj\u003C\/strong\u003E received his master\u0026rsquo;s degree in physics from\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.mcmaster.ca\/\u0022\u003EMcMaster University\u003C\/a\u003E, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was drawn to QBioS by the wide range of classes and the multiple labs doing interesting research. \u0026ldquo;Being among the first class of the QBioS Program is very exciting,\u0026rdquo; Zamani-Dehaj says. He will be based in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.biosci.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We warmly welcome our new graduate students in QBioS,\u0026rdquo; says College of Sciences Dean Paul M. Goldbart. \u0026ldquo;We look forward to their unique contributions to the College\u0026rsquo;s tradition of forging new paths of discovery.\u0026rdquo; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EScott Smith\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EStudent Assistant\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Nine graduate students launch Georgia Tech\u2019s third interdisciplinary life sciences Ph.D."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENine graduate students launch Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s third interdisciplinary life sciences Ph.D. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Nine graduate students launch Georgia Tech\u2019s third interdisciplinary life sciences Ph.D."}],"uid":"30678","created_gmt":"2016-08-16 17:23:49","changed_gmt":"2017-11-06 18:12:14","author":"A. Maureen Rouhi","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-08-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-08-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"563701":{"id":"563701","type":"image","title":"Shlomi Cohen","body":null,"created":"1471380931","gmt_created":"2016-08-16 20:55:31","changed":"1475895367","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:07","alt":"Shlomi Cohen","file":{"fid":"206833","name":"shlomi.cohen_.qbios_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/shlomi.cohen_.qbios_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/shlomi.cohen_.qbios_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":54373,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/shlomi.cohen_.qbios_.jpg?itok=uFmve9B3"}},"563761":{"id":"563761","type":"image","title":"Nolan Joseph English","body":null,"created":"1471381402","gmt_created":"2016-08-16 21:03:22","changed":"1475895367","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:07","alt":"Nolan Joseph English","file":{"fid":"206839","name":"nolan.english.qbios_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nolan.english.qbios_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/nolan.english.qbios_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":34629,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/nolan.english.qbios_.jpg?itok=uzDSQERC"}},"563781":{"id":"563781","type":"image","title":"Elma Kajtaz","body":null,"created":"1471381716","gmt_created":"2016-08-16 21:08:36","changed":"1475895367","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:07","alt":"Elma Kajtaz","file":{"fid":"206841","name":"elma.qbios_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/elma.qbios_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/elma.qbios_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":88791,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/elma.qbios_.jpg?itok=u3l1HBwz"}},"563751":{"id":"563751","type":"image","title":"Alexander Bo-Ping Lee","body":null,"created":"1471381324","gmt_created":"2016-08-16 21:02:04","changed":"1475895367","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:07","alt":"Alexander Bo-Ping Lee","file":{"fid":"206838","name":"alex_bo_lee_photo.qbios_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/alex_bo_lee_photo.qbios_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/alex_bo_lee_photo.qbios_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3720,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/alex_bo_lee_photo.qbios_.jpg?itok=_t_Rssx1"}},"563741":{"id":"563741","type":"image","title":"Joy Elizabeth Putney","body":null,"created":"1471381257","gmt_created":"2016-08-16 21:00:57","changed":"1475895367","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:07","alt":"Joy Elizabeth Putney","file":{"fid":"206837","name":"joy.putney.qbios_.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/joy.putney.qbios_.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/joy.putney.qbios_.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":151550,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/joy.putney.qbios_.jpg?itok=0w60PaVz"}},"563771":{"id":"563771","type":"image","title":"Pedro M\u00e1rquez-Zacar\u00edas","body":null,"created":"1471381649","gmt_created":"2016-08-16 21:07:29","changed":"1475895367","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:07","alt":"Pedro M\u00e1rquez-Zacar\u00edas","file":{"fid":"206840","name":"pedro.capture.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/pedro.capture.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/pedro.capture.png","mime":"image\/png","size":960987,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/pedro.capture.png?itok=pvPhPOi9"}},"563731":{"id":"563731","type":"image","title":"Hector Augusto Velasco-Perez","body":null,"created":"1471381182","gmt_created":"2016-08-16 20:59:42","changed":"1475895367","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:07","alt":"Hector Augusto Velasco-Perez","file":{"fid":"206836","name":"hector.qbios_.foto_el_22-07-16_a_las_6.12_p.m..jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/hector.qbios_.foto_el_22-07-16_a_las_6.12_p.m..jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/hector.qbios_.foto_el_22-07-16_a_las_6.12_p.m..jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":138574,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/hector.qbios_.foto_el_22-07-16_a_las_6.12_p.m..jpg?itok=BUZsDa00"}},"563721":{"id":"563721","type":"image","title":"Seyed Alireza Zamani-Dahaj","body":null,"created":"1471381091","gmt_created":"2016-08-16 20:58:11","changed":"1475895367","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:56:07","alt":"Seyed Alireza Zamani-Dahaj","file":{"fid":"206835","name":"zamani.qbios_.img_6272.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/zamani.qbios_.img_6272.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/zamani.qbios_.img_6272.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1687122,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/zamani.qbios_.img_6272.jpg?itok=3bifhssE"}}},"media_ids":["563701","563761","563781","563751","563741","563771","563731","563721"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"11599","name":"Joshua Weitz"},{"id":"168667","name":"QBioS"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022maureen.rouhi@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EA. Maureen Rouhi\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["maureen.rouhi@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}