Chiara Pastrello

Background

About Chiara Pastrello

Data and DNA will rule the world (or at least mine). As a cancer geneticist, I personally faced the challenge of managing genetics reports where the results were mere unclassified variants. Consequently, I decided to focus the research subject of my Residency thesis on the classification of mismatch repair gene unclassified variants, with the aim of helping the patients I would regularly counsel, and of collecting all available data into one rigorous and public classification. The in silico data collection for my thesis led me to extensively use mutation specific software and databases, and to become very interested in having a say in their development! While starting to learn to apply statistical programming in R, I relocated across the ocean to Dr Jurisica's bioinformatics lab focused on network analysis, and learned the inside/out of database development as well as deepened my bioinformatics knowledge. With time, I not only had a saying on what a useful database would need, but I also contributed to the development and improvement of several (i.e. IID, pathDIP, mirDIP and, for network visualization and analysis, NAViGaTOR) and then managed their development teams. My background gave me cognitive flexibility as well as critical thinking, my work experience taught me complex problem-solving and people management and my personality added a dash of emotional intelligence and love for teamwork. A complex picture for a not conventional person.