Regan Conrad, Phd

Bioinformatics PhD · Genomics · Data Storytelling · Scientific Writing

I’m a PhD-trained bioinformatician passionate about turning data into insights.
With a background in genomics, scientific writing, and collaborative problem-solving, I’m currently exploring roles where I can contribute through code, communication, and curiosity.

Experience

I’ve worked as a researcher, mentor, and educator, often translating complex ideas across contexts.
I value clarity, curiosity, and thoughtful collaboration in every role I take on.

Education

I’ve trained in biology and bioinformatics across undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs.
My academic path has blended molecular biology, computational methods, and collaborative research.

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Want to connect, collaborate, or chat? I’d love to hear from you - reach out here.

Experience

PhD Dissertation Research
Boston University, 2020–2025

  • Dissected molecular and cellular changes in the airway epithelium and immune microenvironment associated with lung squamous premalignancy, using single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data from bronchial biopsies, bronchial brushes, and nasal brushes.
  • Applied module scoring (GSVA, VAM, GSEA), differential abundance analysis, and linear mixed-effects modeling to identify epithelial and immune cell programs associated with disease progression.
  • Developed reproducible, scalable pipelines for scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq preprocessing, QC, and analysis in R and Bash.
  • Tools: Seurat, celda, SingleCellTK, sccomp, enrichR, hypeR, lme4/lmer, scruff, and custom R scripts for figure generation and statistical modeling
  • Manuscript in preparation
  • Skills: Genomics, Transcriptomics, Single-cell Analysis, Scientific Writing, Reproducible Research, R, Bash, Git, lme4, celda, Seurat, SingleCellTK, scruff, sccomp

Research Contributor, Tracheal Macrophage Study
Boston University, 2023

  • Assisted with supplemental analysis for a study on monocyte-derived tracheal macrophages and airway regeneration, contributing one figure connecting murine results to human single-cell macrophage data in response to reviewer feedback.
  • Link to publication (2024)
  • Skills: R, Seurat, Data Visualization, Single-cell RNA-seq

Data Analyst, NSCLC Prognostic Modeling
Boston University, 2022-2023

  • Processed and filtered gene expression data and compiled prognostic gene signatures from literature to support the development of a machine learning model integrating pathology images and transcriptomic profiles for survival prediction in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Link to publication (2024)
  • Skills: RNA-seq preprocessing, Literature Review, Gene Signature Curation, Data Integration

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Bioinformatics
Boston University, 2023

  • Supported two graduate-level bioinformatics courses: R for Biological Sciences and Applications in Translational Bioinformatics.
  • Led weekly office hours, answered student questions via online forums, and graded coding-based assignments with personalized feedback.
  • Helped debug and refine homework assignments, and contributed to the development of automated grading workflows.
  • Mentored student groups on multi-week bioinformatics projects, providing guidance on code troubleshooting, biological interpretation, and computational methods.
  • Evaluated project reports using a shared rubric and offered detailed written feedback to support student learning.
  • Skills: R, Scientific Communication, Mentoring, Grading, Bioinformatics Education, Project-Based Learning

MS Thesis Research: Shadow Enhancer Analysis
Clark University, 2019-2020

  • Developed an image processing pipeline to quantify gene expression patterns in Drosophila melanogaster embryos, supporting the analysis of shadow enhancers regulating twin of eyeless during early development.
  • Designed and implemented the pipeline using MATLAB and ImageJ to process and analyze microscopy images.
  • Performed in situ hybridization experiments and acquired most embryo images using compound microscopy.
  • Contributed to the resulting peer-reviewed publication on enhancer function during embryogenesis.
  • Link to publication (2024)
  • Skills: Image Analysis, MATLAB, ImageJ, Drosophila Genetics, Enhancer Biology, Wet Lab Techniques, Scientific Writing

Undergraduate Honors Thesis: Core Promoter Analysis
Clark University, 2016-2019

  • Conducted bioinformatic analysis of the initiator (INR) core promoter element in Drosophila melanogaster to explore interdependencies in nucleotide sequences and improve motif prediction accuracy.
  • Applied enhanced MARZ algorithm and MEME Suite tools to model and evaluate sequence motifs.
  • Identified key nucleotide interdependencies affecting INR predictive performance.
  • Contributed to the resulting peer-reviewed publication on enhancer function during embryogenesis.
  • Link to publication (2023)
  • Skills: Bioinformatics, Motif Analysis, Transcriptional Regulation, Sequence Modeling, MATLAB, MEME Suite

Academic Tutor, The Knowledge Quest
Worcester, MA, 2017-2020

  • Tutored K–12 students across a range of subjects, specializing in English and math (including high school calculus).
  • Supported students with both remedial and enrichment needs through personalized, one-on-one instruction.
  • Collaborated with students, parents, and teachers to build tailored short- and long-term learning plans.
  • Worked extensively with students from under-resourced communities and students with disabilities.
  • Skills: Academic Support, Math & English Instruction, Individualized Learning, Communication, Mentoring

education

🎓 Boston University
PhD, Bioinformatics (2025)

  • Dissertation: "Dissecting the Airway Field of Injury and Immune Microenvironment in Lung Squamous Premalignancy at a Single Cell Resolution"
  • Focused on single-cell and bulk RNA-seq analysis of lung squamous premalignant lesions
  • Teaching Assistant, R for Biological Sciences And Applications in Translational Bioinformatics (2023)
  • President, BiOS Support (2022-2024); mentored prospective and first-year students
  • Volunteer and Mentor, Bioinformatics Program Open House (2021, 2022)
  • Member, Computational Biomedicine DEI Committee (2023, 2024)
  • Active member, Boston University Graduate Workers Union (BUGWU)

🎓 Clark University
MS, Biology (2020)

  • Thesis: "Development of Image Processing Pipeline for Analysis of twin of eyeless Enhancers in D. melanogaster Embryos"
  • Built image analysis pipelines using MATLAB and ImageJ
  • Awarded Lyerla Fellowship for independent research

🎓 Clark University
BA, Biology, summa cum laude (2019)

  • Honors thesis: "Core Promoter Element Nucleotide Analysis in Drosophila melanogaster"
  • Research Assistant, Dresch-Drewell Lab
  • Co-founder, Clark Women in STEM student group
  • Teaching Assistant, Mathematical Modeling of Biological Systems
  • Dean’s List (8 semesters)
  • Awards: David Potter Award, Comer Award, Fairchild Scholarship, Traina Scholarship

🎓 Nipmuc Regional High School
Salutatorian (2015)

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