About Oliver F. Anderson, MS

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Short Bio

Oliver F. Anderson, MS is a computational biology data scientist, software engineer, and bioinformatics researcher based in Portland, Oregon. He develops algorithms and software for analyzing molecular interaction networks, with expertise in graph algorithms, network motifs, protein interaction visualization, and gene expression analysis (RNA-Seq). His work integrates data science, bioinformatics, and software engineering to drive biological discovery and innovation.

Loki, Oliver’s dog.

Expanded Bio

Oliver bridges the gap between biology and computation to make complex molecular systems more interpretable.

During his time at Reed College working in the Ritz CompBio Lab, he developed GRPhIN, an algorithm for counting graphlets in mixed physical and regulatory interaction networks. This work was published in Bioinformatics Advances (2025) and presented at the GL BIO Conference (2025). He also created ProteinWeaver, a web platform for visualizing mixed interaction networks in the context of Gene Ontology terms, accepted for publication in PLOS ONE.

His earlier research at Willamette University focused on RNA sequencing pipelines, resulting in a publication in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences while he was an undergrad. This work was also selected to represent Willamette University in the Life Sciences at the Murdock College Science Research Conference (2021). He also earned the Best Insight Award at DataFest (2021) for creating a data-driven action-plan for healthcare practitioners.

In addition to research, Oliver has led a computer science education panel at the CCSC-NW Conference (2024), sharing best practices when creating contributing guides for collaborative research in computer science.

Currently, Oliver works as a computational biology researcher at Reed College, while continuing to develop tools that integrate network biology, data science, and full-stack software engineering.

Oliver’s personal research interest is the human microbiome, specifically the gut-brain axis and how microbial communities impact human mood and cognition. He is also passionate about sports science and nutrition, and has competed in Track & Field as a jumper and sprinter at Willamette University.

Oliver competing in track while at Willamette.

Experience

Reed College – Portland, OR

Computational Biology Researcher | Aug 2023 - Current

Willamette University – Salem, OR

Chemistry Tutor | Sept 2021 - Dec 2021

Research Assistant | May 2021 - Aug 2021

Simple Solutions Landcare LLC – Salem, OR

Co-Owner & Landscaper | Dec 2017 - Jul 2019

Education

Willamette University – Salem, OR

MS in Data Science | Sept 2022 - Aug 2023

BA in Biology | Sept 2016 - May 2022

Boa, Oliver’s cat.

Highlights & Expertise

• Publications in Bioinformatics Advances, PLOS ONE, and IJMS
• GRPhIN Algorithm for 3-node graphlet analysis in complex mixed biological networks
• ProteinWeaver Platform for visualizing molecular interactions with biological context
• Expertise in Python, R, JavaScript, SQL/Cypher, and bioinformatics pipelines
• Experience with network biology, graphlet/orbit analysis, signaling pathways, and gene expression analysis
• Expertise in using AI automation tools with human oversight

Explore Oliver’s projects here or contact him on GitHub and LinkedIn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GRPhIN and how does it advance network biology?

GRPhIN (Graphlet Characterization of Regulatory and Physical Interaction Networks) is an algorithm Oliver developed to analyze 3-node graphlet distributions in mixed biological networks. It provides insights into structural patterns of protein and gene interactions, helping researchers uncover regulatory, physical, and mixed motifs, and functional relationships.

What is ProteinWeaver and how can researchers use it?

ProteinWeaver is a web-based platform Oliver developed to visualize molecular interaction networks in the context of Gene Ontology (GO) terms. It allows researchers to explore molecular pathways, mixed-interaction motifs, and gene-protein relationships within specific biological contexts.

What programming languages and tools do you use in computational biology?

Oliver works across a wide tech stack, including Python, R, JavaScript, SQL/Cypher, and bash for algorithm and full-stack development, alongside bioinformatics pipelines such as FastQC, BowTie, Samtools, FeatureCounts, BLAST, and Bioconductor. He also applies Snakemake, Docker, graph algorithms, and machine learning for scalable data analysis and software engineering.

What are network motifs and why are they significant in biology?

Network motifs are recurring subnetwork patterns that reveal functional building blocks of complex biological systems. Studying motifs helps researchers understand cellular signaling, regulatory and physical interactions networks, and evolutionary design principles.

What are your main research publications?

• Bioinformatics Advances (2025) on the GRPhIN algorithm
• PLOS ONE (Accepted) on ProteinWeaver
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022) on RNA sequencing pipelines

Are you open to collaborations or PhD opportunities?

Yes! Oliver is based in Portland, Oregon and open to remote collaborations, industry opportunities, and PhD programs in computational biology, bioinformatics, and data science. He has a special interest in the human microbiome, specifically in the gut-brain axis and how microbial communities impact human mood and cognition. In addition to his computational expertise, he has experience working in wet-lab settings.

Oliver F. Anderson, MS – Computational Biologist, Data Scientist, and Research Consultant based in Portland, Oregon. I design data-driven solutions in bioinformatics, machine learning, and AI automation for research and biotech.