Dear  Prof. Murray,                                                                                                                            February 17, 1999
 
 
 

I write to apply for a tenure-track assistant professor position in your department. My research interests are focused on developing quantitative methods for studying biological phenomena, coming from immunology, genetics, bacteriology, cellular and organismic evolution. I have dedicated much of my time to developing computational tools to improve the information we can extract from biological data. My most recent projects concern the antibody repertoire, its evolution, dynamics within individuals, and its relation to the "molecular shape space".  I believe that the resolution we now have at the molecular level, makes it necessary to revisit the immunological paradigms.

In my dissertation I studied two major diversity-generating mechanisms in the immune system: germline diversity and somatic hypermutation.  I also developed improved statistical methods for estimating mutation rates, and introduced a method that could potentially be used for germinal centers. In these projects, I used a broad range of  mathematical modeling and computational techniques,  I was involved in designing new statistical tests, and in coding simulations to test the predictions of our models. I believe that in an interdisciplinary environment, I can move easily from the biological description of the problem to quantitative approaches to solve it.

Prior to Computer Science, I studied Medicine. This provided  me with the background for a wide range of biological fields, as well as exposed me to the current problems that the research community is trying to solve. As a student in Medicine, I was given a teaching assistantship in Physiology. I designed and taught courses on the physiology of various systems and organs. As a teaching assistant in Computer Science, I was involved in teaching introductory and intermediate level programming courses. I enjoyed teaching, and I found it extremely effective in clarifying my own ideas.

I believe that my research and experience match  your department well. Working in an interdisciplinary group such as the one you are describing seems the best opportunity for me. I hope that you will also conclude that I would be a good addition.
 
 
 
 

                                                                                                    Yours Sincerely,
 
 

                                                                                                     Mihaela Oprea