José Sergio Hleap—professionally known as Sergio—is a seasoned Senior Bioinformatics Consultant II at ProCogia, with a robust background in molecular biology and bioinformatics. His career is marked by a blend of academic excellence, innovative research, and impactful contributions to the field of bioinformatics.

Sergio began his academic journey with an undergraduate degree in molecular biology, where he excelled as a top-performing student and was awarded a scholarship for his outstanding performance. He advanced to earn a master’s degree in biology, producing a thesis that received notable recognition for its quality and originality. Opting for a prestigious government grant over direct funding from his professor, he pursued a PhD focused on computational biology, underscoring his commitment to academic excellence.

After completing his PhD, Sergio undertook two postdoctoral fellowships at McGill University. In his first postdoc, he specialized in Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), developing Bayesian models to enhance the estimation of genetic associations by accounting for linkage disequilibrium. His innovative approach improved the accuracy of identifying genetic factors in complex diseases. During his second postdoc, Sergio shifted his focus to Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, where he developed and benchmarked computational pipelines and software packages. This work advanced methods for detecting and analyzing genetic material from environmental samples, significantly contributing to the field of conservation biology and environmental monitoring. With over 14 published academic papers and participation in more than 20 conference panels, Sergio is a respected voice in the bioinformatics community. His accolades include the Best Talk Award at the Black Forest Summer School in 2013. Throughout his graduate studies, he secured over $20,000 in research grants, demonstrating his ability to attract funding for cutting-edge research.

In his current role at ProCogia, Sergio conducts data analysis for optical pooled screening (OPS) projects, enhancing the understanding of complex biological processes, and develops Python packages that streamline bioinformatics workflows and data analysis. He led the development of Procodia, a live coding interview app, and Eversus, a no-code platform for omics data analysis. These projects leveraged his expertise in cloud technologies like AWS and GCP, providing scalable solutions to clients. He focuses on studies related to estrogen receptor-mediated cancers and evaluates software packages in cell painting and Perturb-Seq, contributing to advancements in cancer research.

Sergio’s professional philosophy centers on interdisciplinary collaboration and the precise application of tools for specific tasks. He is dedicated to enhancing data science applications across healthcare, biology, and business sectors. His current interests include pushing the boundaries of bioinformatics through OPS analysis, developing no-code platforms, and advocating for the ethical use of AI in data analysis and healthcare.

Beyond his professional life, Sergio is an avid enthusiast of diverse activities: * Salsa Dancing: He enjoys the rhythm and community of dance. * Culinary Arts: Cooking allows him to explore flavors and cultures. * Scuba Diving: Underwater exploration fuels his sense of adventure. * Hiking: He often embarks on hikes with his wife and dogs, embracing nature. * Traveling and Cuisine: Experiencing diverse cultures and foods enriches his global perspective.