Scott Simpkins
About Scott Simpkins
Scott Simpkins is a scientist with expertise in bioinformatics and computational biology, currently working at Octant in Emeryville, CA. He advocates for interactive data visualization tools to assist wet lab scientists in analyzing high-throughput data.
Work at Octant
Scott Simpkins has been employed as a Scientist at Octant since 2019, contributing to the company's research and development efforts in the field of biotechnology. His role involves leveraging his expertise in bioinformatics and computational biology to support various projects. He advocates for the use of interactive data visualization tools, which assist wet lab scientists in analyzing high-throughput data effectively. This approach enhances the understanding of complex datasets and promotes data-driven decision-making in scientific research.
Education and Expertise
Scott Simpkins holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, as well as Chemistry from Gustavus Adolphus College, which he completed from 2006 to 2010. He furthered his education at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology between 2012 and 2018. His expertise encompasses integrating data mining, machine learning, statistics, and bio- and cheminformatics to address complex scientific challenges. His academic background and research experience position him as a knowledgeable figure in the field.
Background
Scott Simpkins has a diverse professional background in scientific research. He worked as a Graduate Fellow at the University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2018, where he focused on bioinformatics and computational biology. Prior to this, he served as a Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford University School of Medicine for nine months in 2018-2019. Additionally, he interned at The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences for two months in 2015. His experiences across various institutions have contributed to his comprehensive understanding of scientific research methodologies.
Achievements
During his academic and professional career, Scott Simpkins developed a software pipeline designed to predict synthetic lethal interactions from genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens. This software was instrumental in nominating and validating synergistic combination drug therapies for cancer treatment. His thesis work focused on the design and analysis of high-throughput, chemical-genetic interaction screens in yeast, showcasing his ability to tackle significant scientific problems through innovative approaches.