By: SEO Mavens
Ming Tommy Tang is not your typical entrepreneur. While he may not have a conventional business, his passion for bioinformatics has driven him to create an invaluable resource for others in the field. Through his online content, Ming Tommy Tang is on a mission to reach 1 million people and teach them bioinformatics.
He’s got ~30,000 followers on Twitter (X) and 4,700+ subscribers on his YouTube.
Here’s how he does it.
Q: What propelled you to step into the field of bioinformatics and start your unique journey?
My journey into bioinformatics wasn’t planned. Originally trained in wet molecular cancer biology, I found myself at a crossroads when faced with the need to analyze complex data. The drive to avoid the discomfort of dependency on others for data analysis led me to dive into Unix, Python, and R. What started as a necessity transformed into a passion, a natural step to helping others navigate this challenging field. Data analysis can be tricky sometimes. So, I’ve also written an eBook, “From Cell Line To Command Line,” to help wet biologists learn computational biology.
Q: How did your career path lead you to bioinformatics?
It was a blend of necessity and curiosity. The turning point came in 2012 when I embraced computational biology, beginning an exciting journey. Fast forward to 2020, I found myself at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, leading a team to analyze sequencing data from clinical trials. This role honed my computational skills and underscored the significance of teamwork and leadership in achieving groundbreaking results. The first time I became a manager, I realized that as a team, we can achieve more than myself alone.
Q: Can you share a defining moment in your career?
One of the most impactful moments was joining Immunitas, a biotech startup, as the director of computational biology. Here, I realized the profound impact my work could have on cancer patients. Knowing that my skills could contribute to discovering new drug targets and potentially saving lives added a new level of motivation to my work.
Q: What challenges did you face when first learning computational biology?
The initial phase was daunting. Being the only one in my circle pursuing this field meant I had to be self-reliant, as I had no one to ask for help. My determination, countless hours on online forums, and a relentless quest for knowledge mitigated the steep learning curve. This period taught me the value of perseverance and the power of community in the digital age. I spent a lot of time on forums such as StackOverflow, SEQanswers, and Biostars, but after a while, it felt like a second home.
Q: What significance does your industry hold for you?
For me, it’s twofold. On one hand, it’s about making a tangible impact on cancer research through computational biology. On the other, it’s about breaking down barriers to bioinformatics education, enabling more individuals to contribute to scientific advancements and drug development. Essentially, I want to democratize bioinformatics and computational biology education so that more people can learn about them and leverage them during their research.
Q: What qualities do you believe are essential in your field?
Beyond technical prowess in Unix, Python, and R, a deep understanding of biology is crucial for asking the right questions. But perhaps more important is a sense of curiosity—a drive to unravel the mysteries of biology and explore the unknown.
Q: What common misconceptions do people have about your niche?
There’s a prevailing thought that more complex computational methods are inherently superior. However, I’ve found that simplicity often prevails. Mastery of data cleaning, wrangling, and visualization can be incredibly powerful and often more effective than complex models. People often think complicated computational methods (including deep learning) are better. In reality, simpler methods work better. Basic data cleaning, wrangling, and visualization skills will take you very far.
Q: What’s next for Ming Tommy Tang?
My personal goal is to reach 1 million people and teach them bioinformatics. I’m doing that by creating content on Twitter (X) and LinkedIn and videos on YouTube. My values are integrity, life-long learning, and helping others. My journey wasn’t easy. I was the only one on the floor to learn bioinformatics and had no one to turn to. I spent hours and hours Googling how-to and error messages. 2 years later, I went on to do a computational biology postdoc. Ten years later (note the time), I became a director of bioinformatics in a biotech startup, using my skills to develop new medicines for cancer patients.
Ming Tommy Tang’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and the impact of individual dedication in the scientific community. With his eyes set on reaching a million people with his teachings, Tommy is not just shaping the future of bioinformatics but also inspiring a new generation of scientists and researchers.
Published By: Aize Perez
