Assistant Professor Kirill Medvedev has recently joined the faculty of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Central Florida (UCF). His academic journey, rooted in the unique scientific community of Akademgorodok in Siberia, has shaped his research interests and teaching philosophy, particularly in the field of bioinformatics.
Akademgorodok, which translates to “Academic Town,” is known for its concentration of scientific talent. At its peak, the community housed over 65,000 scientists working across various disciplines, including molecular biology and cybernetics. This environment fostered a culture of inquiry and collaboration, which Medvedev credits for igniting his passion for computational biology.
From Siberia to UCF: A Journey of Discovery
“The constant exposure to open, curiosity-driven inquiry made the language of science feel as natural as the Siberian forest around us,” Medvedev reflects. His fascination with three-dimensional protein structures led him to recognize the importance of computational methods in understanding life’s molecular mechanisms.
Medvedev’s expertise lies in the classification and analysis of large-scale biomedical datasets, encompassing molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. This fall, he aims to impart both practical and theoretical knowledge to his students through his course on Discrete Mathematics at UCF. He emphasizes that his goal is to share not just academic content, but also his experiences as a scientist.
“I believe that integrity is the defining characteristic of a scientist,” he states, underscoring his commitment to ethical research practices.
Innovative Research and Collaborative Opportunities
Medvedev has made significant contributions to bioinformatics, notably developing the DrugDomain database. This resource catalogs the domain features of human proteins that are targets for small molecules and drugs. He enhanced this database with artificial intelligence-driven protein structure predictions, creating a pioneering tool that links thousands of post-translational modifications to their corresponding drug targets across the human proteome.
Additionally, he employs computational modeling to explore variations in cancer types and utilizes deep learning techniques to classify cancer subtypes. Medvedev’s commitment to advancing collaborative research is evident in his reasons for joining UCF.
“I was interested in UCF because it’s such a dynamic and fast-growing research hub—one that actively promotes collaboration among researchers,” he explains. He believes that groundbreaking scientific advancements are best achieved through teamwork across multiple disciplines.
Medvedev earned his doctoral degree in mathematical biology and bioinformatics from the Institute of Cytology and Genetics in 2015. He later served as a postdoctoral researcher under Professor Nick Grishin at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He is now eager to mentor doctoral students with strong computational skills who are interested in his research.
Prospective students are encouraged to reach out via email. While a basic understanding of molecular or structural biology or biochemistry is beneficial, it is not a requirement for joining his research team.
