I was a first-year student at university, studying Biological Sciences. One of my Biology professors reached out to me, noting my passion and quick learning. He offered me the opportunity to work with him on his research project aimed at studying the genome.

The professor told me that this type of research required computer and programming skills. He asked me to read and learn about something called “Linux” operating system, and he gave me a book consisting of 100 pages for beginners in programming and data analysis.

Honestly, I wasn’t very excited. Programming? Computers? Data analysis? I didn’t even own a personal computer and barely knew how to handle one. 

I borrowed my sister’s computer, and I began to struggle with the strange symbols in the book that I didn’t understand at all. I can’t hide from you the feeling of being lost and the number of errors that appeared on the screen as I tried to apply the lessons practically.

But I didn’t want to close the door and miss the opportunity. At least I would try, and if I couldn’t, I could always refuse later. The subject started to become easier day by day. I began to achieve results similar to what was written in the book, and I found that whenever I stumbled, I could easily search for solutions on Google, finding many others facing the same difficulties and offering simple solutions.

After a month, the doctor contacted me to ask if I had read the book and applied it. I told him that I hadn’t finished yet, “There are only 7 pages left out of 100 pages. But things are starting to go smoothly.” The doctor’s face lit up with joy, “That means you’re on the right track!”

Since then, I discovered my passion for this field that connects biological sciences with computers. I became curious to delve deeper into it, and my passion grew as I learned about its applications.

It was a challenge for me to find sources to learn programming to complement my biological knowledge, as it usually suits engineers or computer specialists. I started spending more than six hours a day immersed in developing my computer skills to the point that I attended classes at the engineering college and joined many training courses and camps, paying thousands of dinars.

In a short period, I won several awards, competed with computer specialists, published several research papers in the field, obtained a master’s degree, and I am still striving to develop myself and discover what’s new in the world of computational biology, including artificial intelligence.