3rd Hands-on Biostatistics Workshop
'Introduction to machine learning: Classification and Clustering - a theoretical and applicative approach with the R environment'
Hybrid training, October 18, 2022
Organized at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Sciences
About
This training aims to introduce the methodological and applicative aspects of Machine/Statistical Learning (preliminary concepts) and understanding of the application aspects of the main techniques through exercises, laboratory activities and the use of the R environment. The aim is to help participants improve their understanding and skills in machine learning applications in biological and health sciences, especially the applicative ones.
The training will focus on using unsupervised statistical learning techniques (clustering) to unstructured data. Specifically, on the use of different methods to generate clusters based on the type of feature's nature. The aim is to use supervised approaches, to build and evaluate models that allow for to classify data and understanding of the marginal impacts of each attribute. Finally, machine learning methods such as random forest and fuzzy random forest will be discussed.
Trainers
She is a computational biologist working in environmental microbiology and metagenomics. Her research experience encompasses different topics and interests. She did a master's degree in fundamental and applied microbiology at the University of Rennes 1, France. This master's degree was followed by an internship at the University of Tennessee, USA in the laboratory of Dr. S.W. Wilhelm, where she worked on phage-host interactions between cyanobacteria and cyanophages. In 2016 she obtained her PhD in molecular and cellular biology at the CEA (Center for Atomic energy) of Saclay, France. Her dissertation focused on understanding intracellular fluxes of glutathion and its impact on protein secretion in yeast.
Convinced of the importance of computer science and data analysis skills in today's biological research, she decided to complete a second master's degree in computer science, at the University of Rennes 1, France. During this time, she had the opportunity to perform a placement at the University of Arizona, in the laboratory of Dr. Bonnie Hurwitz where she then worked as a postdoctoral fellow. Her current research focuses on the development of tools and methods for the analysis of large-scale metagenomics datasets.
Dr. Annamaria Porreca
Research Fellow at the G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
She attended master’s classes in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the "Cattolica" University of Rome (Italy) and then, in July 2021, she concludes her PhD in Computer Science at the University of Chieti-Pescara (Italy). She is a teaching assistant in Medical Statistics at the Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, at the “G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, on Statistics, Mathematics, and R Programming. She is the author of more than forty publications in international journals and books in the biostatistics and medical statistics fields. Her main research topic is both supervised and unsupervised classification and she is currently working on machine learning applied to biomedical data.
From July 18 to October 18, 2022, she is affiliated as Visiting Researcher at the Department of Biology, University of Tirana, Albania. During this mobility, she is working on applications of statistical/machine learning in biological and health data analysis in collaboration with Eliana Ibrahimi and other researchers.
Program
Tuesday - October 18, 2022
13:00 - 13:10
Welcome and get to know each other
13:10 - 14:10
Alise Ponsero - Key concepts of machine learning, applications in biology and health
14:10-14:25
Coffee break and networking
14:25-15:30
Annamaria Porreca - Classification and Clustering - a theoretical and applicative approach with R
15:30 - Closing remarks
Registration
Participation is free but registration is mandatory for organisational purposes. Please register here before October 15, 2022. Participants attending the training will receive a certificate of attendance.
Venue
Faculty of Natural Sciences - University of Tirana
Address: Bulv Zogu I, Tirana, Albania
Building B, Room 107 & Online via Teams
Organizing & Contact
Eliana Ibrahimi
Department of Biology, University of Tirana
Fundime Miri
Department of Biology, University of Tirana
Xhilda Merkaj
Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Tirana
Contact: Eliana Ibrahimi at eliana.ibrahimi@fshn.edu.al
Participants
Khadijah Abid, SZABIST, Karachi, Pakistan
Denada Dauti, University of Tirana, Albania
Delina Xhafaj, Albanian University, Albania
Adedoyin Taiwo, University of Ibadan
Tarek Abdelaziz Mahmood, Alexandria University - Egypt
Ilva Licaj, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Italy
Jason Sriwijaya, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
Muhammad Yaqoob, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
Valenti Goni, University of Tirana, Albania
Gonzalo Suárez, Universidad de la República / Facultad Veterinaria
Eni Sinani, Anhalt University of Natural Sciences
Aida Dervishi, University of Tirana, Albania
Livia Demiraj, University of Tirana, Albania
Jona Shkurti, The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Nertila Gjini, University of Tirana, Albania
Xhuljana Sfiri, University of Tirana, Albania
Sara Kamberi, University of Tirana, Albania
Arjela Bircaj, University of Tirana, Albania
Lumturije Gjana, University of Tirana, Albania
Megi Mehdija, University of Tirana, Albania
Ersela Paskali, University of Tirana, Albania
Maria Qarri, University of Tirana, Albania
Klisjana Muça, University of Tirana, Albania
Fuat Tatari, University of Tirana, Albania
Armelda Sula, University of Tirana, Albania
Emira Gjika, University of Tirana, Albania
Denisa Tocilla, University of Tirana, Albania
Laura Katerina Bejko, University of Tirana, Albania
Vera Hoxha, University of Tirana, Albania
Geraldo Bushi, University of Tirana, Albania
Adrian Xhindoli, University of Tirana, Albania
Daniela Bardhi, University of Tirana, Albania
Grejsi Gjonaj, University of Tirana, Albania
Ester Dedgjonaj, University of Tirana, Albania
Anjeza Ndreca, University of Tirana, Albania
Jura Murrani, University of Tirana, Albania
Jetmira Ramku, University of Tirana, Albania
Ledjona koldashi, University of Tirana, Albania
Klaudia Ndreca, University of Tirana, Albania
Bajame Kushta, University of Tirana, Albania
Xhuljano Muca, University of Tirana, Albania
Iqra Rehman, Institute of Business Management
Joana Tunaj, University of Tirana, Albania
Inva Kociaj, Western Balkan University
Juwel Rana, McGill University
Sathish Pichika, University of Windsor
Ina Marku, University of Tirana, Albania
Mohammed Abdullah ABDULRAHMAN AHMED, Sudan Atomic Energy Commission
Eva Troja, Pharma company
Xhilda Dhamo, University of Tirana, Albania
Abdullah Muftić, University of Sarajevo - Veterinary Faculty
Klea Lami, Bonn university
Klea Bushati, University of Tirana, Albania
Eglantina Abrashi, University of Tirana, Albania
Hatixhe Kashari, University of Medicine Tirana
Fjona Llanaj, University of Tirana, Albania
Arnisa Sokoli, University of Tirana, Albania
Ergi Xara, University of Tirana, Albania
Ermelinda Manellari, University of Tirana, Albania
Franci Sinani, University of Tirana, Albania
Silvjo Tringoski, University of Tirana, Albania
Xhesjan Kamani, University of Tirana, Albania
Hedga Hida, University of Tirana, Albania
Miledi Tafa, University of Tirana, Albania
Edra Temja, University of Tirana, Albania
Fjorela Nerguti, University of Tirana, Albania
Fatime Ahmetaj, University of Tirana, Albania
Franceska Zisko, University of Tirana, Albania
Mimoza Idrizi, University of Tirana, Albania
Elga Baze, University of Tirana, Albania
Romina Qyra, University of Tirana, Albania
Lorena Ballkoçi, University of Tirana, Albania
Dajana Dokaj, University of Medicine Tirana
Debasrija Mondal, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
Borana Qalliu, Public Health Institute, Albania