This CBS undergrad is all about getting with the program(ming).
Sidiropoulos (pictured third from the left) takes a picture with fellow members of the Biologists Who Code Circle.
Who are you?
Dimitri Sidiropoulos; Senior; Genetics, Cell Biology and Development and Biochemistry major
Where is your hometown?
Born in Washington, D.C. Grew up in Crete, Greece.
What CBS Circle are you leading this year?
Biologists Who Code
Why did you want to lead a group about that topic?
I wanted to bring together CBS students who are interested in applying programming logic to solve problems relevant to biology. Research in the biological sciences is becoming more and more dependent on computer programming. I believe it is important that biologists in research know how to code since we ask the interesting questions in biology and should be able to create our own tools to run the analyses necessary to answer those questions, rather than completely relying on computer scientists.
What’s been the most interesting aspect of leading a group?
I’ve been surprised by a few things leading Biologists Who Code. First, I was pleasantly surprised by the strong interest students showed for this circle. I have also been continually impressed by everyone’s drive to learn about coding and how they can implement it in their careers.
What are your career aspirations? Why do you want to go into that field of work?
I wish to pursue a career in academia. I am interested in generating knowledge, creating useful tools and teaching.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Coding is not that difficult! Biology students are more than capable of becoming excellent programmers.