Kurt Michels
About Kurt Michels
Kurt Michels is a Data Scientist with extensive experience in statistical analysis and data management. He has worked at HTG Molecular Diagnostics since 2015 and has held previous positions at iPlant Collaborative and Montana State University.
Work at HTG Molecular Diagnostics
Kurt Michels has been employed as a Data Scientist at HTG Molecular Diagnostics since 2015. In this role, he has contributed to the development of analytic pipelines for normalization and well-level normalization, which are essential for maintaining data quality. He has also set up a version control application hub to enhance collaboration among various stakeholders, including statistics and data scientists, development scientists, and customers. His work supports the company's mission to advance precision medicine through innovative molecular diagnostics.
Previous Experience as Data Scientist
Before joining HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Kurt Michels worked at iPlant Collaborative as a Data Scientist from 2011 to 2015. During this time, he focused on developing user-friendly Shiny applications and R packages to improve the reproducibility of scientific reports. His experience in data science has been instrumental in his subsequent roles, particularly in the areas of statistical analysis and data management.
Teaching Background
Kurt Michels served as an Instructor at Montana State University from 2007 to 2011. In this position, he taught courses related to mathematics and statistics, contributing to the education of students in these fields. Additionally, he was an Assistant Cross Country Coach at Bozeman High School from 2008 to 2010, where he supported the development of student-athletes.
Education and Expertise
Kurt Michels has an extensive educational background in mathematics and statistics. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Utah and later obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Montana State University. He continued his studies at Montana State University, achieving a Master’s Degree in Statistics. He further pursued a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Statistics at the University of Arizona, completing his studies in 2015. His academic training provides a strong foundation for his work in data science.
Contributions to Statistical Methodologies
In his role at HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Kurt Michels has made significant contributions to statistical methodologies. He has authored statistical sections for development protocols that evaluate Next Generation Sequencing assays and developed novel methods for assessing assay quality control based on read-depth. His involvement in multi-disciplinary assay development teams highlights his ability to represent the statistical functional unit effectively.