Featuring Dr. Scott Nguyen
Show Notes:
Listen in as Dr. Scott Nguyen continues the conversation by looking at how sequencing data become something scientists can actually use. Dr. Nguyen explains that biological data should not be interpreted on its own. To understand what a genome sequence really means, scientists need to consider where the sample came from, how the experiment was performed, what tools were used, and what limitations may exist. He then shapes the discussion around the bigger picture: bioinformatics is not just about running data through software—it also requires judgment, context, and careful review. This episode is a helpful introduction for budding scientists who may be new to genomics because it shows how raw data becomes meaningful scientific information.
Guest:
Scott V. Nguyen, PhD
Senior Biocuration Scientist, Sequencing & Bioinformatics Center, ATCC
As a Senior Biocuration Scientist in ATCC’s Sequencing & Bioinformatics Center, Dr. Nguyen helps lead the ATCC Genome Portal—a cloud resource of authenticated, traceable microbial genomes. Dr. Nguyen’s work spans microbial genomics, comparative genomics, and data provenance, with recent projects covering Yarrowia lipolytica strain sequencing, pangenomics, and structural variation. He has authored conference posters, application notes, and manuscripts advancing standardized hybrid assembly and ISO‑compliant workflows for reference genomes. Earlier in his career, Dr. Nguyen’s identified multiple SARS‑CoV‑2 variants, including the Delta–Omicron recombinant XD (“Deltacron”), and held research roles at USDA‑ARS, University College Dublin, and the DC Public Health Laboratory. He earned his PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Nguyen’s current focus is enabling reliable, engineering‑grade genomic data for bioprocessing and industrial biotechnology.
Host:
David Yarmosh, MS
Lead Bioinformatician, ATCC
David Yarmosh is a lead bioinformatician in ATCC’s Sequencing and Bioinformatics Center. He’s a graduate of New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering. He has been working in large data aggregation and analysis since 2013 and microbial genomics with a focus on biosurveillance R&D efforts since 2016. David has led international training exercises in Peru and Senegal, sharing metagenomic analytical capabilities. His interests include genomics database construction, metadata collection, drug resistance mechanisms, bioinformatics standards, and machine learning. Since joining ATCC in 2020, David has worked extensively in SARS-CoV-2 classification, epidemiology, and genomics evaluation, including enhanced and uniform variant reporting. He has contributed more broadly to genomics reporting and analytical standardization and he has helped develop the podcast Behind the Biology, which he now hosts.
