About
I am currently attending Utah Valley University and pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics. Bioinformatics combines the disciplines of biology and computer science. I love this major because it allows me to utilize improving computational tools to better understand evolution and genomics.
Bioinformatician
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
I grew up in Provo, Utah where I got to enjoy lots of beautiful scenery while traveling and hiking around the national parks with my family. My journey into STEM started with programming and robotics. As a kid, I really enjoyed building small games and robots that could perform tasks for me. I started to fall in love with biology and chemistry in highschool. There, I was supported by great teachers and became Science Sterling Scholar for the school. I was also able to get my Associates in Science during highschool. Utah Valley University awarded me their Presidential Merit Scholarship and I now study all my favorite subjects there as a bioinformatics major. Since starting at UVU, I have had opportunities to participate in scientific research and community outreach. I have discovered that I love research! I am specifically interested in the evolution of sex, sex chromosomes, and sex determining genes. As I approach graduate school, I hope to have the opportunity to spend my career studying these subjects.
Outside of study, I enjoy:
- Dancing: I'm trained in ballet and modern dance and still love to choreograph pieces.
- Painting: I enjoy painting small figurines and clay characters that I make.
- Reading: My recent favorites are Weyward by Emilia Hart and A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
Stats
Here are some numbers to demonstrate my current progress in research and computer science.
Months of Experience in programming and lab work
Current R Projects to do with gemonics and phylogenies
Paper in progress
Awards in scholarships and grants
Projects
Here are some projects I've been a part of:
Do the differences in size between heteromorphic sex chromosomes influence organism longevity?
The purpose of this project is to consider the predictors of longevity in organisms across the tree of life. I am particularly interested in whether there is a correlation between the degree of difference in size of heteromorphic sex chromosomes and organism lifespan. Work done in Hjelmen Lab at UVU.
Investigating genome size variation through Hymenoptera phylogeny
The purpose of this project is to utilize available genome size data in Hymentoptera and see if phylogenetic relationships or species traits display correlation to genome size. Work ongoing in Hjelmen Lab at UVU. I will be presenting this research at the Entomological Society of America's National Conference this November.
Sex Determination in New Zealand Mud Snails: Identifying Genes and Chromosomal Regions with Sex-limited Features
How do asexual species produce male offspring? What is the sex determination system that allows this? Click on my face in the link to find my poster and video explanations of the project. Work done in the Logsdon Lab at the University of Iowa's Research Experience for Undergraduates.
Resume
Click here to view my updated CV
Bio
Olivia Frary
Majoring in Bioinformatics at Utah Valley University with the Presidential Merit scholarship.
- 800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058
- oliviafrary1@gmail.com
Education
Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics
Fall 2022 - Present
Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Experience
Hjelmen Lab Research
Fall 2023 - Present
Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
- Researching heteromorphic sex chromosomes and their relationship to organism longevity
- Working on a reproducible pipeline to produce large-scale phylogenies in R
- Gaining experience in bioinformatic skills
Logsdon Lab Internship
Summer 2024
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
- Researched the sex system and sex determining genomic regions of an asexual species
- Presented research at the University of Iowa's Summer Undergratuate Research Conference
- Instructed colleagues in Linux programming, virtual environments, and supercomputing
Biology Study Abroad
Summer 2023
Aeolian Islands, Italy
- Immersed in culturally rich environment to learn about the biology and geology of the Aeolian Islands
- Learned how locals and endemic plants and animals coexist with active volcanoes
- Researched and presented on the population genetics of the islands
General Biology Teaching Assistant
Spring 2023
Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
- Worked with students to answer questions and provide support
- Reviewed and graded college-level work and provided constructive feedback
- Gave insights into ways to improve the material for students
Stability Intern
2022
doTERRA Quality Control, Pleasant Grove, UT
- Gained experience in lab work and safety procedures as I tested the quality of products
- Regulated various reports through Microsoft Office Suite and Information Management Software
- Managed numerous studies and samples
Skills
I am actively learning Python and R. I'm currently at a basic level but am exercising my programming skills as I work on projects for my lab.
Here are the classes I'm currently taking:
- Discrete Mathematics
- Intro to Systems Administration - Linux/UNIX
- Ecology
- Principles of Evolution
Here are some of the recent classes I've taken:
- Object Oriented Programming - Python
- Database Fundamentals - SQL
- Design of Experiment - Statistics and R
- Bioinformatics Data Skills - Bash Scripting, Linux, & Supercomputing
- Global Social and Ethical Issues in Computing
- Fundamentals of Programming - Python
- Genomics
- Principles of Statistics
- Intro to Data Analysis for Biologists - Data Modeling & Visualization in R
- Molecular Biology
Photos
Here is my photo album of presentation, study abroad, and travel experiences.
- All
- Presentations
- Study Abroad
- Travel
Contact
Location:
800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058
Email:
oliviafrary1@gmail.com