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Mathematical Sciences Research Group

  1. Research
  2. Mathematical Sciences Research Group
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  4. Dr Sam Jobbins

Dr Sam Jobbins

About Me:

Shwmae! Sam ydw i. :) 

I received my PhD from the School of Chemistry at Cardiff University in 2018. In the field of Computational Materials Science, my PhD specialised in the use of advanced statistical and modelling techniques, such as molecular dynamics and crystal structure prediction, to investigate the structure, properties and behaviour of existing and novel materials.

From 2019 to 2022, I was employed as a Bioinformatician in the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics in the School of Medicine at Cardiff University. The work, funded by an international pharmaceutical company, investigated the genetics of schizophrenia and related disorders. This involved a combination of data analysis, network analysis, machine learning and molecular modelling techniques to gain new insight into the underlying genetic and biological architecture of severe neuropsychiatric disease.

In April 2022, I was appointed as a Lecturer in Data Science and Mathematics at the University of South Wales. I also retain an Honorary Research Fellow position at Cardiff University.

Sam

Outside of University, I thoroughly enjoy listening to music, playing the piano, learning Cymraeg, watching rugby, baking, hiking, cycling, astronomy, playing and making video games, growing plants, reading and spending time with my partner, family and friends. 

Research Interests:

If you’ve got this far, you’ve probably realised that I have had quite a varied career up to this point (starting in chemistry, moving to medicine and now to data science!).

My main research interest is to work on and inspire cutting-edge, multidisciplinary projects, which link data science and mathematics with the sciences. With ever-increasing hardware capabilities and increasing focus on the design of efficient algorithms and software solutions, more and more scientific problems can be investigated and tackled using purely computational tools and techniques. Similarly, the rise of machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data techniques, heralding an ongoing second computational revolution, are all rapidly transforming how we approach, investigate and solve scientific problems.

Some current research interests of mine include: 

  • Using genomic, transcriptomic and network data, coupled with machine learning techniques, to gain further insight into the genetic and biological architecture of diseases; 
  • Using machine learning techniques to investigate problems such as DNA and protein structure and behaviour, and the effect of mutations on these properties; 
  • Employing machine learning techniques to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of computational chemistry and computational materials science techniques, for use in crystal structure prediction, property prediction and structure and reactivity analysis; 
  • Using data analysis and machine learning to investigate astronomical phenomena, such as the presence of extrasolar planets.

I also have a keen interests in keeping high quality teaching and research at Welsh HE institutions, promoting the use of the Welsh language, engaging with the general public about science and mathematics and with building relationships and exchanging expertise with industry partners to further promote innovation, growth and scientific understanding.

If you’d like to have a chat or know more about my research or have any ideas/comments, feel free to drop me an email at [email protected]. Hwyl am y tro!

Research Themes: