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Andreas Prlić
Engineering Lead - Scalable Genetics at Invitae
Professional Background
Andreas Prlić is a highly accomplished bioinformatics scientist and a seasoned technical lead, specializing in protein sequence, structure, and genome informatics. With a unique ability to meld IT expertise with scientific knowledge, he leverages over a decade of hands-on experience in full-stack software development to create high-performance and scalable scientific algorithms, applications, and websites tailored for large user communities. His contributions are not only focused on advancing scientific understanding but also on enhancing the user experience in the utilization of complex biological data.
Andreas has played pivotal roles in various organizations within the bioinformatics landscape. He is currently the Engineering Lead at Invitae, where he leads projects related to scalable genetics, further enriching the company's mission to provide actionable genetic insights for healthcare. His team-oriented approach and leadership abilities have also shone through during his past positions, which include serving as the Technical Lead and Lead Engineer at Invitae. In these roles, he was responsible for overseeing the development of robust genetic analysis applications and fostering innovation within the team.
Prior to his current tenure at Invitae, Andreas held significant positions at esteemed institutions like the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he was the Technical and Scientific Team Lead at the RCSB Protein Data Bank. His time at UCSD solidified his role as a thought leader, where he was instrumental in managing scientific data projects and contributed to enhancing the database that supports protein structure and function research.
Additionally, Andreas's experience as an Adjunct Professor at San Diego State University saw him pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of scientists, inspiring students in the fields of bioinformatics and molecular biology.
Education and Achievements
Andreas Prlić pursued advanced education in bioinformatics at the Universität Salzburg, culminating in a PhD that deepened his expertise and understanding of molecular biology and genetics. His early academic journey endowed him with a solid foundation in biological sciences, as demonstrated through his Mag. rer. nat degree. Andreas's educational background equips him with the theoretical and practical tools necessary for navigating complex bioinformatics challenges.
His professional trajectory evidences a wealth of achievements, from being a software editor for the Public Library of Science to leading projects at BioJava. Each role emphasizes his commitment to advancing bioinformatics and reflects his exceptional ability to synthesize technology with bio-scientific inquiry. As a Senior Scientist, he further contributed to research efforts that significantly impacted the broader scientific community.
Skills and Specialties
Andreas Prlić possesses an impressive repertoire of skills relevant to bioinformatics and software development. With proficient knowledge of programming languages such as Python and Java, he excels in utilizing a variety of development tools and environments, including Eclipse, IntelliJ, and PyCharm. His skill set extends into version control systems (Git, Subversion, Mercurial), Continuous Integration practices, and frameworks fit for handling large-scale data (Apache Spark and Luigi data pipelines).
His expertise enhances collaborative projects, as he integrates databases like Postgres, MySQL, and MongoDB, alongside web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, jQuery, and Bootstrap, ensuring that applications are both efficient and user-friendly. Andreas's knowledge in RESTful services and web services highlights his understanding of creating accessible interfaces for complex data applications.
Through a blend of technical skill and innovative thinking, Andreas Prlić continues to establish himself as a vital asset in the field of bioinformatics, illustrating the convergence of IT and biological science to push the envelope in genetics research.
Achievements
- Currently serves as Engineering Lead at Invitae, driving scalable genetics initiatives.
- Former Tech Lead at Invitae, overseeing substantial projects in genetic analysis applications.
- Contributed significantly at UCSD as Technical and Scientific Team Lead at RCSB Protein Data Bank.
- Engaged as an Adjunct Professor, inspiring students in bioinformatics and molecular biology.
- Experienced software editor and research scientist with contributions to well-regarded scientific publications and projects.