Posted By: The American Journal of Human Genetics, AJHG
Each month, the editors of The American Journal of Human Genetics interview an author of a recently published paper. This month, we check in with Kiran to discuss her recent paper, “MetaGLIMPSE: Meta-imputation of low-coverage sequencing data for modern and ancient genomes.”
AJHG: What motivated you to start working on this project?
KK: The initial motivation came from discussions with my advisor, Sebastian Zöllner, PhD, on imputing ancient DNA (aDNA) and whether meta-imputation would be the best way to leverage an aDNA reference panel. We are still working on that question, but it has led to a rich set of questions and tools, one of which is MetaGLIMPSE.
AJHG: What about the paper/project most excites you?
KK: It’s applicable to a wide range of scientists across statistical and population genetics. I am also excited about the underlying algorithm, which is a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). HMMs are so elegant and incredibly useful in statistical genetics; it’s amazing how many different problems they can solve!
AJHG: Thinking about the bigger picture, what implications do you see from this work for the larger human genetics community?
KK: I think that the larger community can use MetaGLIMPSE to improve genotype quality for their downstream analyses. Having good data lies at the heart of everything we do, and I hope this work will help geneticists get the most out of their data.
AJHG: What advice do you have for trainees/young scientists?
KK: Your research environment is equally as important as your research topic. Choosing an advisor with whom you are comfortable and who is also a good mentor is key to enjoying your work and performing your best.
AJHG: And for fun, tell us something about your life outside of the lab.
KK: I have several hobbies: rock climbing, skiing, tennis, yoga, and writing fiction, particularly short fiction. If I weren’t a scientist, I would be writing full-time! My ideal evening is going to the climbing gym, catching a yin yoga class, and then socializing with friends.
Kiran Kumar is a PhD Candidate at the University of Michigan.