The election of three members of the International Society for Biocuration Executive Committee (ISB EC) will be held from September 25th – October 2nd, 2024.
Emails will be sent to current members on September 26th. Only current members, as of September 24th, 2024, who receive this email will be allowed to vote. Please note that if you are an ISB member and do not receive the email, please contact us at isb@biocurator.org.
We thank all of the following seven candidates for agreeing to stand for election to the Executive Committee (EC). Information about the candidates standing for election to the Executive Committee (EC) is available below:
Sonia Balyan
Position: Scientist
Affiliation: Indian Biological Data Centre, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
Biosketch: As a dedicated scientist specializing in plant molecular biology, biotechnology, and bioinformatics, my career is rooted in cutting-edge research and the crucial field of biocuration. With over 7 years of post-Ph.D. experience, I have developed deep expertise in managing and curating complex biological data, particularly in plant genomics and phenomics. My work is driven by a commitment to transforming raw data into accessible, well-annotated resources that are indispensable for advancing agricultural research and promoting environmental sustainability.
At the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) in Faridabad, where I currently serve as a Scientist, I have played a pivotal role in pioneering initiatives that enhance the utility of big data. A cornerstone of my career has been the development of the Indian Crop Phenome Database, a unique resource designed to archive crop phenome data and ensure it adheres to FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). I am currently spearheading the Indian Functional Genomics DataBank (IFGDb) project, which aims to create a comprehensive repository for functional genomics data, as well as the Indian Research Data Archive (IRDA), a repository for the archival of diverse research data. Additionally, I lead the genomics module of the Multiomics Analysis Toolbox at IBDC, a groundbreaking platform that facilitates the analysis of multidimensional biological data to unravel the complexities of life sciences research. These initiatives not only advance biological sciences but also highlight the essential role of biocuration in ensuring that data-driven research is both meaningful and impactful.
My contributions have been recognized within the scientific community through several publications in good-impact journals, including training and outreach activities. My passion for science communication is further evident in my role as the host of the Beyond Shodh podcast, where I engage with leading Scientists/researchers to share their research, vision and journeys to a broader audience. Through my work in biocuration, I strive to bridge the gap between data and discovery, empowering researchers to unlock new insights that drive innovation in biological sciences and beyond.
Motivation: As a scientist at India’s first Biological Data Centre, I have been actively involved in structuring and archiving our nation’s invaluable biological data. This work has deepened my understanding of the essential role biocuration plays in not just preserving data, but in making it accessible and impactful for the global scientific community. My experience has fueled a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of data integrity and usability—values I will bring to the ISB Executive Committee.
In 2024, I led the local organizing committee for the 17th Annual International Biocuration Conference in India, where I gained firsthand experience in fostering global collaboration and advancing biocuration practices. This role provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the field’s challenges and opportunities, equipping me to contribute effectively to ISB’s strategic initiatives.
As the host of Beyond Shodh, I have actively engaged with scientists across India, highlighting the journeys of pioneers in STEM. I also manage outreach for the Indian Biological Data Centre, focusing on engaging and motivating researchers about the importance of FAIR data and data stewardship. I am passionate about expanding ISB’s outreach efforts, ensuring biocuration’s significance is effectively communicated to emerging scientists and policymakers. My goal is to strengthen the global integration of diverse datasets, particularly from underrepresented regions, to build a more inclusive and comprehensive biocuration community.
Marija Milacic
Position: Scientific Associate/Biocurator
Affiliation: Computational Biology, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Biosketch: My training and wet lab experience involve an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Physiology from the University of Belgrade, where I took part in human papillomavirus research, doctoral degree in Molecular and Medical Genetics from the University of Toronto, where I studied childhood cancer retinoblastoma, and postdoctoral training at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, where I studied genetics of autism spectrum disorders. My career in biocuration started in 2011, when I joined the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and became part of the Reactome curation team. Becoming a biocurator enabled me to apply my skillset to building and maintaining a repository of biological pathways used by researchers globally. It also provided me with an insight into the importance of standardized representation of knowledge in biology and medical research, where open and continuous communication between researchers, publishers, and biocurators is key. I would like to continue my career in the field of biocuration because I believe that systematization and synthesis of knowledge is crucial for the ethical advancement of basic and applied biological sciences.
Motivation: As an ISB member for ten years now and a biocurator for more than thirteen years, I greatly appreciate the ISB’s efforts in bringing together biocurators from many different areas of biology, providing professional guidance, and improving the visibility of this profession. It would be an honor to contribute to the ISB as a member of its Executive Committee. As a biocurator of a peer-reviewed pathway database, I would bring to the Executive Committee experience in the areas of data visualization and community curation. The areas within the ISB that I would like to see developed are Training, Outreach, and Communication, and the IT Infrastructure.
Maria Victoria Nugnes
Position: Senior biocurator and trainer of the DisProt database (https://disprot.org/)
Affiliation: BioComputing UP Lab (https://protein.bio.unipd.it/) at University of Padua, Italy
Biosketch: I am a senior biocurator for DisProt (https://disprot.org/), database of manually curated intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) from literature, working both remotely from my country, Argentina, and in person at Silvio Tosatto’s lab at the University of Padova, in Italy. In this role, I curate and revise contributions from over 40 community curators spanning various countries from all over the world. I first joined DisProt as a curator in 2021 and have been focused on biocuration as my primary research interest since then. Over the course of the last two years, I assumed leadership responsibilities also for database thematic datasets and I have had the opportunity to manually curate over 1,200 publications. In addition to my curation duties, I design and deliver training materials and sessions for DisProt biocurators. My training sessions are conducted both remotely and in person, with recent sessions held in Argentina and Chile. My work is driven by a passion for enhancing our understanding of IDPs and supporting the global community of biocurators.
Motivation: My career in biocuration is dedicated to improving the quality and accessibility of biological data, particularly concerning intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). I am from Argentina, where I work mainly remotely from, and I am deeply committed to helping people from lower-middle-income countries gain access to the tools, knowledge, and support needed to excel in biocuration.
If given the opportunity to serve on the ISB Executive Committee, I will bring:
Expertise in IDP Curation: My extensive experience with the DisProt database, best practices, ontologies and standards, that will help me to provide valuable insights into the curation processes.
Commitment to Education and Training: I am passionate about supporting and mentoring fellow curators. I have conducted numerous training sessions in English and in Spanish, both virtual and in-person, including a Spanish-language DisProt Biocuration course on the ELIXIR-SI eLearning platform. I aim to expand these educational initiatives to benefit curators worldwide.
Dedication to Collaboration and Community Building: My involvement in international projects, such as HUPO Proteomics Standards Initiative and Gene Ontology, have fostered strong collaborative skills and I am dedicated to building a supportive and connected biocuration community.
Within ISB, I would like to focus on the following areas:
- Enhanced Training and Support: Develop comprehensive and accessible training programs, including multilingual options, to support curators from diverse backgrounds and regions in their career progression, especially those from lower-middle-income countries.
- Standardization and Best Practices: Advocate for the adoption of standardized curation practices across databases, facilitating data integration and interoperability.
- Community Engagement and Collaboration: Strengthen the global biocuration community by encouraging collaborative projects and networks, fostering a sense of common goal and mutual support among curators.
I am deeply honored to be this year’s recipient of the ISB Excellence in Biocuration Early Career Award 2024. This recognition increases even more my dedication to supporting and uplifting the global biocuration community. I am eager to contribute to the ISB Executive Committee, bringing enthusiasm, dedication, and a collaborative spirit to support and elevate our biocuration community even further.
Santhi Ramachandran
Position: Curator
Affiliation: GWAS Catalogue Curator, Cambridge, UK
Biosketch: I have been working in the field of biocuration since 2012, with a primary focus on variant curation. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience by working with prominent organizations and now at EMBL-EBI. My work has provided me with a strong foundation in biocuration practices, and I have also had the opportunity to engage with users of the curated data, gaining a deeper understanding of its practical applications in research and healthcare. This interaction has shaped my approach to curation, ensuring that the data we provide is accurate, reliable, and impactful for both scientific and societal advancement.
Motivation: I am motivated to run for a position on the ISB Executive Committee due to my decade-long experience in biocuration and my desire to contribute to the field’s growth. Over the past decade, I have worked with various organizations, including my current role at EMBL-EBI, where I have developed expertise in curating high-quality, impactful data. This experience has deepened my understanding of the complexities of biocuration and its vital role in supporting research and healthcare. I believe that the success of biocuration depends not only on data accuracy but also on how effectively this data is applied in real-world settings.
As a member of the ISB Executive Committee, I aim to contribute to the broader advancement of biocuration by leveraging my strong background in curation and my insights into the evolving needs of data users. I am particularly eager to promote stronger connections between curators and end-users, enhancing the practical impact of curated data. Additionally, I would advocate for expanding training programs and resources to support the next generation of biocurators, ensuring that ISB continues to lead the way in this critical field. Through these efforts, I hope to enhance the impact of biocuration within the scientific community.
Umasri Sankarlal
Position: Freelance Biocurator
Affiliation: Freelancer
Biosketch: My career started as a Biocurator participating in various projects involved in building comprehensive databases for Biomarker, Biological Pathway and Chemical compounds. Since 2004, my passion in biocuration has been growing, and volunteered myself wherever I got an opportunity. During my career break, I worked as freelance ontology mentor to developers, shared ideas on developing an ontology for online databases and supporting with necessary datasets for their project. I worked as short time Consulting Analyst with Thomson Reuters, Chennai on their Drug Forecasting database. Even though working a full-time employee in IT firm, I volunteer to be a member of ClinGen Intellectual Disability and Autism Gene curation working group panel and publishing the curated genes after my office hours.
Motivation: I nominate for a position in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. In my 20 years of work experience as a Biocurator, Patent analyst, IT Operation Analyst, Autosys Specialist and currently as Software Quality Analyst acquired technical skills with the help of diverse expertise team I worked with in various companies. I have always been treated equally without any gender bias and got motivated at my work place. The team have included people from various cultures and countries, and always supported in sharing their expertise knowledge to improve my career. Now it is my turn to return their kindness to others who need encouragement and support. Apart from doing at my current workplace, the role as a member of EDI committee in ISB will be more meaningful and have impact in Biocuration field.
Peter Uetz
Position: Associate Professor
Affiliation: Center for Biological Data Science, School of Life Sciences, Richmond, VA, USA
Biosketch: I have started the Reptile Database in 1996 when I was a graduate student at EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany. Since then, the database has become one of the most comprehensive biodiversity databases worldwide (being one of 160 databases in the Catalogue of Life consortium). I have also founded the Microbial Protein Interaction database, now a part of IntAct. After being an investigator at The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) and the Venter Institute (JCVI) for about 5 years I was hired as associate professor at VCU in Richmond, Va, in 2011. I am teaching courses in functional genomics and bioinformatics there, training students in biodiversity data-related curation and processing. The database and various papers about it have been cited 4000-5000 times.
Motivation: Biocuration is an undervalued part of biomedical sciences and I feel strongly that its role needs to be better promoted and students trained in this field. While all biomedical scientists are using various databases, they rarely appreciate the huge amount of work required to establish and maintain these data sources. My long career experience in database curation and promotion will help the ISB to promote and advance the field, although I am currently focusing on biodiversity data, an area that has been underrepresented at ISB, hence one of my goals is to strengthen the links to biodiversity and other biological sub-disciplines that are not well covered by ISB.
Huajin Wang
Position: Senior Librarian
Affiliation: Carnegie Mellon University
Biosketch: I am a Cell Biologist turned information professional and open science advocate. As a Senior Librarian at Carnegie Mellon University Libraries, I provide consultation and develop programs that help research communities make their research data and outputs more open, reproducible, and reusable, foster collaboration across disciplinary boundaries, and engage stakeholders to build a healthy data ecosystem. I have been in consulting roles for data curation and management on many research projects. As a life sciences researcher, I have collaborated with biologists, clinicians, and data scientists on many successful research projects in areas spanning membrane trafficking, lipid metabolism, bioinformatics, and management and analysis of multimodal datasets. I completed my PhD in Cell Biology at University of Alberta, postdoctoral research at Yale/Harvard, and independent research at Carnegie Mellon University. I was a co-founder and Director of the Open Science & Data Collaborations Program at CMU. I served a senior leadership role at the Center for Open Science to drive culture change in research communities with technology, community building, services, and thought leadership. I am a member of the Data Curation Network, FORCE11, and other organizations that contribute to the scholarly data ecosystem. I am also on the Advisory Committee of the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN).
Affiliation: The biggest asset that makes me an excellent fit for the Executive Committee is my rich and multifaceted experience with data in the many roles I play – a scientist, a data steward, a community builder, and a strategic leader. During my career as a scientist, I worked with large varieties of research data and data formats, and deeply appreciated the value of well curated, open datasets. When I move into a librarian and open science role, it has been my mission to help researchers make data more open and reusable so that the results are more reproducible. I co-founded the Open Science & Data Collaborations program at CMU, and served as the Director of Program at the Center for Open Science (the nonprofit running OSF). In these roles, I helped researchers and communities navigate data sharing, stewardship and curation. I oversaw the strategy and execution of training and consulting services, launched community engagement and outreach initiatives, and supported communities and stakeholders to adopt data sharing infrastructure and best practices. The communities I worked with span a wide range of life sciences fields including neuroscience, cancer biology, genomics, and virology, with an emphasis on early career researchers and under represented groups.
