A warm welcome to Müller Group Senior Research Scientist Diana David-Rus who recently joined CBIOMES.
by Helen Hill for CBIOMES
HH: In summary, what are your research interests?
DD: My research pursuits are aimed at unraveling fundamental biological processes through the use of statistical and bioinformatic methods, complemented by physics-inspired mathematical modeling. During my doctoral studies, I concentrated on analyzing sequencing data to decipher aging processes and developed a mathematical framework to integrate crucial epigenetic features like methylation and chromatin modifications. These features play a pivotal role in biological aging. Additionally, I constructed mathematical models for protein-protein interactions, essential for understanding cellular functions and disease pathways.
Subsequently, my research has spanned various biological domains, leveraging data analysis—primarily NGS sequencing—and mathematical modeling. A recent endeavor broadened my focus to the influence of environmental factors on health. This work smoothly transitioned into my current interest: studying the complex relationship between the ocean’s microbiome, the most extensive and diverse on Earth, and environmental factors. Understanding this critical relationship is key to grasping the broader impact on biological systems and is central to solving fundamental biological challenges.
HH: What are you going to be working on for CBIOMES?
DD: At the Simons Collaboration on Computational Biogeochemical Modelling of Marine Ecosystems (CBIOMES), I serve in a dual capacity. I’m involved in the development of comprehensive meta-analyses that combine ocean microbiome sequencing with environmental data. Establishing robust and efficient workflows is a key part of my duties. Additionally, I utilize advanced multidimensional and multivariate statistical methods to investigate the complex interactions between marine environments and their microbiomes. My research endeavors aim to enhance our understanding of biological systems, ranging from molecular interactions to ecosystem-wide dynamics.
HH: What is your educational background (BS, MS?)
DD: I hold a Diploma in Physics from the University of Bucharest, Romania, and a Ph.D. in Computational Biology from Rutgers University, obtained within the interdisciplinary BioMaPs program (Biology, Mathematics, and Physics). My doctoral work was supervised by Prof. Joel Lebowitz, a renowned expert in Mathematical Physics, and Prof. Monica Driscoll, distinguished for her contributions to Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Subsequently, I undertook postdoctoral research at L’École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Paris, France, and at the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) in Brussels, Belgium. Prior to joining Christian’s group at the Helmholtz Institute, I held senior research positions at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Munich, Germany, and at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU).
Story image: In her spare time, Diana says she is passionate about outdoor activities and sports, including hiking, jogging, tennis, and kickboxing, with cross-country skiing becoming a particular favorite in the winter months. She says she also enjoys reading philosophy, especially within the realms of the metaphysics of science and foundational aspects of physics and regularly attends seminars and conferences on such subjects.