In this episode of the Bioinformatics Lab Podcast, Zachary Konkel shares his journey from studying chemistry to specializing in mycology and bioinformatics. He discusses the significance of fungi in medicine, particularly in producing antimicrobial compounds, and the challenges faced in fungal genomics. Zach highlights the development of mycotools (https://github.com/xonq/mycotools) as a solution for analyzing fungal genomes and the importance of phylogenetics in understanding fungal pathogens like Candida auris.
The conversation also touches on the growing concern of antifungal resistance and the potential for next-generation sequencing to improve outbreak detection. Finally, Zach shares his passion for mushroom foraging, connecting his scientific interests with personal hobbies.
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In this episode of the Bioinformatics Lab Podcast, Zachary Konkel shares his journey from studying chemistry to specializing in mycology and bioinformatics. He discusses the significance of fungi in medicine, particularly in producing antimicrobial compounds, and the challenges faced in fungal genomics. Zach highlights the development of mycotools (https://github.com/xonq/mycotools) as a solution for analyzing fungal genomes and the importance of phylogenetics in understanding fungal pathogens like Candida auris.
The conversation also touches on the growing concern of antifungal resistance and the potential for next-generation sequencing to improve outbreak detection. Finally, Zach shares his passion for mushroom foraging, connecting his scientific interests with personal hobbies.
Summary
In this episode, Kevin Libuit and Andrew Page discuss their personal experiences with job hunting in the bioinformatics field, emphasizing the importance of professional networks and genuine relationships. They share anecdotes about how their careers were shaped by connections made through academia and social interactions. The conversation highlights actionable advice for job seekers, including leveraging social media and engaging with the community to build a robust professional network.
Takeaways
All jobs can stem from knowing the right people.
Building a professional network is essential for career growth.
Genuine curiosity and kindness can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Networking should be organic, not forced or transactional.
Social media platforms are valuable tools for connecting with others.
Engaging in community discussions can enhance visibility and opportunities.
Conferences provide a great avenue for networking and learning.
It's important to have a clear online presence, like LinkedIn.
Networking is about mutual interest, not just self-promotion.
Being helpful and interested in others can pay off in the long run.
the bioinformatics lab
In this episode of the Bioinformatics Lab Podcast, Zachary Konkel shares his journey from studying chemistry to specializing in mycology and bioinformatics. He discusses the significance of fungi in medicine, particularly in producing antimicrobial compounds, and the challenges faced in fungal genomics. Zach highlights the development of mycotools (https://github.com/xonq/mycotools) as a solution for analyzing fungal genomes and the importance of phylogenetics in understanding fungal pathogens like Candida auris.
The conversation also touches on the growing concern of antifungal resistance and the potential for next-generation sequencing to improve outbreak detection. Finally, Zach shares his passion for mushroom foraging, connecting his scientific interests with personal hobbies.
