Mathematics and Statistics Colloquium

Calvin University

Kaitlyn DenHaan
Van Andel Research Institute

October 30, 2025
3:05pm   •   North Hall 276

Bioinformatics: An interdisciplinary quest to understand biological data and improve human health

Bioinformaticians harness the power of computation and data science and draw on fundamental concepts of mathematics and statistics to uncover biological processes related to health and disease. Join us for this engaging colloquium presentation about the work being done in the Van Andel Institute’s Bioinformatics and Biostatistics core, including utilizing statistical modelling techniques to compare performance between commercial biotech products, leveraging third-generation genetic sequencing technologies to verify successful CRISPR experiments, and using pre-trained deep learning models to predict protein structure to better understand a rare childhood cancer. The talk will close with some general insights tied into my time at Calvin, with time for Q&A.

No prior knowledge of bioinformatics or genomics is required. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of bioinformatics, anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Kaitlyn (Westra) DenHaan is a bioinformatician in the Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core at the Van Andel Institute (VAI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After completing her B.S. from Calvin University studying biochemistry, data analytics, and public health, she spent two years as a Computational Biologist in the Guerreiro and Brás labs at VAI analyzing large genetic datasets to identify the molecular underpinnings of human neurodegenerative diseases. In her role as a Core Bioinformatician, Kaitlyn works with labs and researchers to meet their data analysis needs, while also bringing experience in teaching and data visualization, with a passion for open science, collaboration, and making bioinformatics more approachable.