Rennie lab

Project supervison

I frequently supervise bioinformatics projects at MSc level, with emphasise on the following areas:

  • Analysis and statistical modelling of the epitranscriptome
  • RNA binding protein binding in humans or plants
  • Training and interpretation of deep learning models for RNA modifications

For a list of open projects check out the Github for SCARB which I try to keep updated: https://ucph-scarb.github.io/projects/Sarah_project/ and reach out via my email.

Pre-requisites

My students generally have taken courses in one or more of the following areas:

  • NGS analysis
  • Statistical modelling
  • Machine learning/ deep learning

Project types

I am open to requests for MSc thesis supervision. If you are interested in writing your thesis with me (2 blocks, full time 30 ECTS) you should:

  • Please contact me in good time before the deadline to discuss the contract – I do not accept last minute requests and/or non-pre-discussed contracts.
  • Submit a project description in your own words in your contract, including a brief background to the problem, the focus of the current project and some clear aims.

Format

At project start: students discuss specific strategies with the supervisor and read the literature relevant to their project.

During the project: you must be willing to implement and analyse yourself, which often requires you to produce code independently. I am happy to support you when you are stuck, but remember that time is limited in supervision sessions.

At the end of the project: you will write up your report and there will be an oral exam. For the thesis the examiner will be externally based, for projects it can be someone internal.

Meetings

One-to-one meetings: I typically meet my students every 1-3 weeks depending on the project stage and need. For these meetings, I keep open slots in my calendar, which the students can book in advance. If some weeks go by without contact, it is important to touch base and let me know how things are going.

Writing up

It is important to begin your write up early. I am open to looking through preliminary drafts and offering advice on how to structure the report, although with tight schedules it’s not always possible to read-through drafts prior to submission.