Hi all ...
I have recently finished my M.Sc. degree in computer science and conducted a thesis in comparative analysis under bioinformatics field and managed to publish a short version of it. Now I'm a phD student intending to complete my research path on the same field, but I have a problem starting from that point because the original idea is owned by my former supervisors and I'm not allowed to proceed with it.
How can I benefit from the knowledge I have gained during my thesis preparation and walk in a closer track without getting lost in new field's basics and requirements... the main purpose is investing the time in a perfect way without reinventing the wheel. I have gained some good knowledge in comparative analysis using tools like BLAST and Clustal Omega, and BioPython programming.
Are there any ideas appropriate for a phD dissertation that can be inferred from that work?!
Thanks in advance
This should be a forum discussion. I'm modifying it to be one.
What subject are you planning to major in? Comp science and bioinformatics would likely have very different requirements/focus for a PhD.
You should be discussing this subject with your mentor. Ultimately that person, you (and your dissertation committee, if that is how things work in Jordan) need to agree on the topic being worth spending your (and their time) on.
Thanks for the reply...
I'm planning to major in computational biology but I need to find some particular problems to work on, and yes you're right, I should be discussing this with my supervisor but no one seem to be available soon ... most of them are already engaged with other students.
Can you state your interest, what field/subject would like to gain more knowledge about?
would like to develop new algorithm, for example in the field you did your Msc? or you wanna use preexisting tools to answer question in the field of comparative genomics?
Implicitly your back ground will force you to choose something related to what you already learn and develop it forward.
lastly read read read.
I would like to work on computational biology... maybe something that is related to algorithms and their performance in procedural lab processes. indeed more reading will lead my steps to some great ideas, thanks for the good advice.
Clearly there is more going on that outlined. Research ideas are not 'owned'^: why are you 'not allowed' to proceed with it? If you wish to continue in that exact area, why aren't you doing your PhD under your former supervisors?
What research areas interest you? What aspect was the most interesting in your masters? What area of specialisation is your new supervisor?
^ Although if your former supervisors are still actively researching in that area, they are likely to be unhappy that your continued such research as a competitor instead of a collaborator.
So you have easily figured things out !! indeed there is something going on between me and my former supervisor, we are at odds and have completely two different perspectives towards several points. He is still active in that area of research and I cant proceed with the old work due to the previous reasons, besides it not ethically right to start without his permission.
I will try to find some other ideas , lets hope that happens soon.