Career Alert! Avoid fake Bioinformaticians! Get advice from Real Experts.

Hey LinkedIn fam,

I have been wanting to share something important with my followers and in general the community interested in bioinformatics. It's about who we get our information from, especially on social media. Bioinformatics is super interesting but also really complex.

Why You Should Follow and Listen to Real Bioinformaticians, 
Not unexperienced Social Media Stars!         

As Bioinformatics is gaining a lot of attention in the post-pandemic world, we should be extra-careful to avoid misinformation, fake news and fake leaders in the field. We have to choose our guidance wisely so we are not misled or misinformed! The source of information and the credentials of the mentor are very important for someone who is beginning their journey.

Learning Bioinformatics is like Running a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Think of bioinformatics as learning to cook. You can't just read a few recipes and become a chef overnight. It's like that with bioinformatics too. You need to mix biology, computer stuff, and data in just the right way. Some folks, who haven't been doing it for long, act like they know it all. But the real experts are more like master chefs who've been cooking up amazing things for years. There are no short-cuts, there are no worm-holes! Grow organically, learn properly!

Bioinformatics isn't something you can master quickly! Good things take time!

In other words, imagine trying to learn three languages at once – that’s what combining biology, data science, and computer science is like. I’ve seen people, only a few years into their journey, claiming to be experts. Remember, true expertise in bioinformatics is like fine wine; it gets better with time.

Be Careful Who You Listen To

Following less experienced people and beginners can lead you down the wrong path. Imagine if someone who just started cooking tried to teach you complicated recipes. You might end up with a kitchen disaster! It's the same with bioinformatics.

Following someone less experienced might lead to misunderstandings.

Instead, learning from people who’ve been in the field for a long time means you get the right information, like a recipe that’s been perfected over years. Learning from seasoned professionals can help you avoid these pitfalls. They’ve been through the trial and error and know what works and what doesn’t.

Experience Beats Just Having Certificates

Certificates are cool, but they don't tell the whole story. It's like having a cookbook but not knowing how to cook. Real skill comes when you actually use what you learn to solve real problems.

Look for people who've done real projects, not just collected certificates.

For example, completing 10 online courses on bioinformatics algorithms is impressive, but you should know if that person can apply these algorithms to a real research question correctly and effectively? Instead, look for individuals who have not only learned but also applied their knowledge, like someone who has developed a new bioinformatics tool or published research in reputable journals.

Choosing the Right Person as Guide

A good mentor is like a guide on a hike. They know the best paths and how to avoid getting lost. Find someone who's done a lot of bioinformatics work, maybe someone who's helped discover something important or worked on big projects or someone who has worked in the field for a long time in real analysis projects. They should have a real track record of doing real stuff, not just talking about cool stuff.

They should have a history of practical work and achievements.

Think of a mentor who has contributed to a significant project, like developing a new bioinformatic tool used by researchers worldwide. Check their credentials – where have they worked? What projects have they led? What do their peers say about them?

Joining the Right Crowd, having Good Friends

Getting involved with the right groups is super important. Think of it like joining a cooking class with a great chef. You can go to conferences, join online groups, or take part in workshops. These places have people who really know their stuff and can teach you things you won't find on social media.

Engaging with the right community is crucial.

Attend conferences on Bioinformatics, participate in forums like BioStars, and join workshops led by known experts. These platforms offer insights from people who’ve made significant contributions to the field, unlike the often superficial knowledge you find on social media.

So, let's focus on learning from the people who really know bioinformatics inside out. It's the best way to really understand and get good at it.

Keep learning and stay curious!

Closing remarks: Thanks to my Linkedin friend Waqar Hanif for pointing a horrifying trend right now. Some over enthusiastic self-made experts capable of using ChatGPT is posting advice and guidance on how to learn Bioinformatics, how to become a Bioinformatician, how to "Master the art of Bioinformatics", how to "learn bioinformatics while you are sleeping and snoring!"... and the list goes on!! You get the idea.. Linkedin iS flooded with ChatGPT generated garbage by fake wanna-be bioinformatics gurus with negligible to negative experience in Bioinformatics. There are also whole Bioinformatics companies that have recently sprouted like mushrooms thanks to ChatGPT generated content. STAY AWAY FROM THESE PROFILES, AVOID THEM LIKE A VIRULENT WAVE OF COVID!

--end of rant!--

If you are looking for solid organic content on Bioinformatics on Linkedin, there are some awesome people to follow. Most of them provide free advice and their posts are often informative and using open-source content. I am an experienced Bioinformatician myself and I learn a lot from these people everyday. (Disclaimer: these are my personal recommendations and I don't get paid in cash or kind or favour for this). Here are my favourites.

1. Ming Tommy Tang
2. Darko Medin
3. Geert van Geest
4. Waqar Hanif

Peace!

A fellow student,

Venkatesh Chellappa

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