In this episode, Kevin Libuit discusses his career in the world of public health, pathogen genomics, and bioinformatics. He shares his journey from studying biology with the intention of pursuing a medical career to discovering his passion for bioinformatics during his undergraduate research. Kevin explains how he transitioned from medicine to bioinformatics and joined the Virginia State Lab, where he became involved in national initiatives and the creation of the State Public Health Bioinformatics Working Group (StaPH-B). He also talks about his time at Theiagen and the ever-evolving nature of bioinformatics careers.

Takeaways

Bioinformatics careers often involve unconventional paths and opportunities that arise along the way.

Transitioning from one field to another requires making difficult decisions and following your passion.

Collaboration and communication among bioinformatics scientists at the state and national levels are crucial for addressing common challenges.

The field of bioinformatics is constantly evolving, and new positions and opportunities are being created.