From Brazilian Doctor to Bioinformatics PhD: Ianne Lauder’s Path to Georgia Tech

“Even when you haven’t yet mastered certain skills, acknowledging these gaps and pinpointing what you need to learn actually strengthens your application.”

As U.S. government budget cuts create turmoil in North American graduate schools, we want to highlight WriteIvy students who’ve achieved uncanny success, and whose inspiring stories will inject hope and clarity into this all-too-opaque admissions process. This series aims to celebrate intellectual achievement, explore the barriers that applicants face in various fields, and give proven examples of how to succeed amid increasing competition. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ianne Lauder.

Born in Recife, Brazil, Ianne Lauder was a Medical Doctor in Genetics, following her passion for better understanding and treating diseases through genetic technology. After years of clinical practice in Brazil, she sought to expand her expertise by harnessing computational tools and mathematics. Now, she has found her ideal path forward at Georgia Institute of Technology, pursuing a PhD in Bioinformatics—a cutting-edge discipline that integrates medicine, computational sciences, and mathematics. Her research investigates complex genetic architecture underlying disease, bringing innovation in precision medicine.

Thank you for talking with us, Ianne! Your background is so interesting. Could you tell us a bit about how you transitioned from medicine to bioinformatics?

As a Medical Doctor specializing in genetics in Brazil, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of integrating genetic technology into clinical care. More precise diagnosis, better treatment plans, better counseling. Innovations like genetic testing, gene therapies, and even certain types of vaccines all emerged from bioinformatics research, and certainly there’s more to come. What led to the PhD was the desire to be a small part of this interesting and evolving story.

That’s amazing and so unique. How do you think this research will change your career in the future?

Bioinformatics is the integration of computational, mathematical, and medical knowledge, and it has great potential for bringing innovation to medical care. I hope to apply what I learn during my PhD to both my research, by advancing knowledge of the genetic architecture of diseases, and to my medical career, by incorporating the latest developments into clinical practice.

When you say “great potential for bringing innovation to medical care,” what are you thinking about most specifically? Are there any upcoming treatments or developments that you think we should ALL be excited about?

I think most specifically of breakthroughs like genome sequencing and gene-editing technologies such as CRISPR. These advances, made possible through bioinformatics, are changing how we diagnose and treat disease—enabling highly personalized medicine and targeting conditions at the genetic level. Those are two examples of how combining computational and biological knowledge opens up entirely new frontiers in healthcare. And yes, there’s every reason for all of us to be excited about what’s coming next!

Every career transition has challenges, but I’m guessing yours were particularly difficult—not just coming from medicine to bioinformatics, but also coming from Brazil to the US! Could you share any stories about that?

When I was applying to PhD programs, I had experience in research, but the scope of my work was primarily clinical, and I had little experience in programming. Many people in Bioinformatics come from technology or computational science backgrounds, and I faced the hurdle of demonstrating my potential to perform well in this research domain despite my different path. Now I have been in the PhD program for almost one year, and Georgia Tech has an excellent and rigorous training in mathematics and programming applied to bioinformatics.

When you say primarily clinical, what do you mean specifically? Could you tell us what a day in your life was like back then? Seeing patients every day?

In Brazil, I worked as a medical doctor specializing in genetics. This meant I evaluated patients daily, focusing on their clinical presentation—their medical history, physical examinations, and test results. My role was to integrate all that information to investigate the genetic factors underlying their condition. By incorporating genetic data, I was able to refine patient management through more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and, in some cases, even disease prediction.

That’s so fascinating—we have a lot of researchers in our community, but not too many medical doctors. Was there a particular person or teacher you’re grateful towards who encouraged you, or helped guide you through this transition?

I am grateful to the Medical Genetics professors at Campinas University, especially Drs. Steiner, Cavalcanti, and Vieira, who provided me with great training in Medical Genetics and endorsed me in their recommendation letters. Also, my greatest support came from my mother, Izabel, through her constant encouragement to strive for excellence.

Is there a particular book, class, or lesson that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

The greatest “book” I ever read was the story of my parents. With their living example, I could learn: with my father, that strength and excellence are the way to perceive your goals and dreams, and with my mother the purity of believing them.

Both my father and my mother came from small towns in the countryside of Northeast Brazil, the most underprivileged region of the country. Starting from scratch, my father devoted himself to education, ultimately becoming both an otolaryngologist and a lawyer, later advancing to serve as a judge. From a young age, I observed my father’s persistence and tireless work ethic as he pursued the goals he set for himself, demonstrating that persistence can lead to achieving what seems impossible.

My mother’s first job was as a janitor at a courthouse. Her duties included organizing legal documents and books stored in the basement. In this environment, she decided to study law and aimed to become a public official. When she first shared her plans with her best friend, her response was, “Dear, don’t bother; that path is for rich people.” However, she didn’t listen. Instead, she began studying with the materials she found in the basement. After several years, she earned her Juris Doctor degree and became a state auditor, one of the highest positions in the public sector. Throughout the process, I witnessed how she remained proactive yet serene, bright, and supportive of both her own and my father’s dreams.

PhD Application Advice: Know Yourself

That’s such an incredible story, Ianne. Your parents are amazing! In fact, their story makes a great transition to the focus of our interview: grad admissions. Clearly your family has overcome big obstacles—what do you think was the biggest obstacle you yourself faced in applying to PhD programs in the US? Learning programming, maybe?

Yes, as I mentioned, the biggest obstacle I faced was not mastering certain skills before applying. Many applicants I know faced similar challenges: not being fully prepared for their desired career path. From my experience, I can offer two insights: first, be specific about what you need to learn and how you’re going to learn it; second, remember that a PhD is a learning journey—if you possess the perseverance and focus to learn what you need, you are going to succeed.

[Editor’s note: This is absolutely fantastic advice. Many applicants think they need to prove that they know everything, that they’re already “experts.” But time and again, faculty tell us that applicants need to keep in mind that they’re applying because they need to learn. Knowing exactly what you need to learn, and how you hope to grow and evolve intellectually, is a hallmark of super-successful grad applicants. In fact, let’s talk more about this…]

That is such amazing advice, Ianne. However, when you say “be specific about what you need to learn,” do you mean in the application essays, the SOP?

Specificity is a great characteristic in graduate program applications, from essays to interviews. By “specific,” I mean clearly articulating the research you intend to pursue and identifying the precise tools and abilities required for success. Even when you haven’t yet mastered certain skills, acknowledging these gaps and pinpointing what you need to learn actually strengthens your application. This targeted self-awareness demonstrates both orientation and thoughtful preparation for your academic journey.

Yes, yes, yes! I couldn’t have said it better myself. No wonder you achieved such special success, Ianne. But if you had to put it into words, what do you think was the most important thing that helped you accomplish this?

The thing that helped me the most was to clearly define my research intent, focusing on labs with the research scope I was interested in. Also, being persistent in believing it would work out for the best, even in times of challenge.

What was the most difficult thing about writing your application essays?

The most difficult thing in writing application essays was finding a truly trustworthy source on how I should write. You encounter different advice on the web, sometimes even contradictory (some sources even compare a Statement of Purpose to a brief biography!). I think other applicants need to find trustworthy resources, and WriteIvy was quite helpful in that regard.

That’s so wonderful to hear! Were any of our articles or resources particularly helpful for you?

The essay guide “Structure is Magic” was my first contact with WriteIvy, and I found it so solid that I became interested in more material. After that, I took the PhD SOP Formula course, and it was important in the writing of my SOP.

I love that so much, Ianne! Do you have any advice for future applicants (about their essays, applications in general…anything) that should probably seem obvious…but isn’t?

If you want to pursue a PhD, I would say it’s beneficial to immerse yourself in the academic world as early as possible, and also as specifically as you can (such as through undergraduate research and conferences).

Ianne’s Bioinformatics PhD Statement of Purpose

[Editor’s Note: My favorite thing about this essay? A single sentence: “Although I can already work as a medical researcher, the questions I hope to investigate require more rigorous training.” Boom. It doesn’t get more honest and intellectually confident than that. It’s a perfect example of Ianne mentioned above about knowing what you need to learn and how you need to learn it.]

In 2019, my last year of medical school in Brazil, I saw on the news that, for the first time in the United States, CRISPR gene editing was being tested in human patients. Fascinated and enthused to join this emerging era of medicine, I pursued a Medical Genetics Residency at Campinas University, and so studied how genomic technology could elevate medical care. In residency, it felt like I had been allowed to open a curtain to see medicine in the future. In fact, after numerous clinical and research experiences with a plethora of genetic diseases, I ascertained two very clear things: first, that genomics will undoubtedly have a great impact on the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and second, that genomic medicine is still in its infancy. Like puzzle pieces awaiting assembly, the gaps between genomics and medicine call for a cohesive integration.

Although I can already work as a medical researcher, the questions I hope to investigate require more rigorous training. Why do hereditary disease risks vary across populations, and how can we predict this variation? To what extent could trancriptome sequencing assist in variant pathogenicity classification? Such questions are complex, and to have a satisfactory investigation plan, one must be well-grounded in human disease, molecular genetics, and computational genomics. I believe the ideal place to receive this training, and pursue these questions, is in the concentration Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CBB) of the Biology PhD program at Georgia Institute of technology.

In the CBB concentration, I would be eager to receive training in the computational aspects of genomics. For instance, the course BIOL 7210 Computational Genomics will be crucial for developing practical computational skills to convert raw genomic information into knowledge. Additionally, the course BIOL 6150 Genomics and Applied Bioinformatics would provide me with the skills to apply software bioinformatic tools, required by my hopeful research on understanding the genomics of diseases.

After this initial training, I would be particularly interested in Professor Joseph Lachance’s work on globalizing genetic predictions of health and disease. Genome-wide studies have predominantly focused on European ancestry populations, which may miss specific risk variants for other populations. Yet, Dr. Lachance addressed this problem in his recent research on novel susceptibility variants for prostate cancer in African ancestry men. I would be thrilled to continue to study the globalization of genetic predictions under Dr. Lachance’s supervision. During a zoom meeting, I had the chance to discuss possible avenues to contribute as a PhD student in such research. Moreover, I would also be interested in Dr. Greg Gibson’s research on immunotranscriptomics, as I am very interested in how the utilization of RNA- seq can represent the next step in improving diagnostic yield for diseases. I believe my expertise in correlating genomic alterations to phenotypic consequences would be a valuable asset in both of these endeavors.

I am confident that my academic and professional path has prepared me to succeed in this effort. During my medical genetics residency at Campinas University, I received thorough training in human, molecular, and population genetics, as well as cytogenetics, while proudly maintaining a maximum GPA on all theoretical assessments. In terms of practical abilities, I learned to predict which biological pathways, inheritance patterns, and (epi)genetic mechanisms should be implicated in a given phenotype. I also learned to analyze genomic tests and classify variants based on ACMG criteria. In this endeavor, I gained valuable experience as a trainee at Dasa Lab, Brazil’s largest genomics lab. Thus, I am certain I have the critical skills necessary to investigate disease diagnosis.

While acquiring these skills, I developed a scientific curiosity regarding how phenotype and genotype can be juxtaposed, and conducted several research projects on this matter. Working under Dr. Denise Cavalcanti’s guidance at Campinas University, I conducted research on the clinical and molecular characterization of 56 families with Osteosclerotic skeletal dysplasias, and our results were among the few selected for presentation at the 33rd Brazilian Conference on Medical Genetics. Currently, I am investigating Syndromic Retinitis Pigmentosa under Dr. Carlos Steiner’s supervision, analyzing genomic data and preparing a first-author publication, and at the same time, working with Dr. Steiner and Dr. Társis Vieira on a literature review.
We are studying the genetics of Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and its connection to Del22q11.2 syndrome. This research was inspired by a patient who had both syndromes, and we believe this connection is not a coincidence. It has been interesting to try to find a link between a complex and a Mendelian disease. Thus, my extensive research background and passion for genetics have well-prepared me to continue studying human diseases and their genomic aspects.

During my medical residency, I reflected on the many questions of genomic medicine that remain to be explored. Today, I am positive that the CBB concentration at the Biology program will allow me to study these questions, and through them contribute to improving disease diagnosis and treatment. In the future I hope to build a career in academia, as a professor, and to continue researching how the integration of genomics and medicine can improve lives, especially in regards to the genomic characterization of diseases. If given the opportunity, I will fully devote myself to this effort, and add unique and meaningful perspectives to genomics studies in the Georgia Institute of technology.

Ianne’s Personal/Diversity Essay

[Editor’s Note: Ianne’s personal essay is virtuosic. It’s profound, heartfelt, and as perfect a “model essay” as you’re ever going to find. If you want to write a similar essay, this is the right place to start.]

I was born and raised in Recife, Brazil. Historically and culturally, Recife is the result of the mingling of the Tupi indigenous tribes, European colonists, and African people. We northeasterners are renowned for our kindness and hospitality, and I take great pride in being a northeastern woman. However, mine is the poorest region in Brazil; the average income of a northeasterner is $6/day. The region’s poverty has, in recent decades, prompted millions to migrate to wealthier regions of Brazil in search of better living conditions and employment. It is disheartening, however, that these migrants are not always well received. Northeasterners are often belittled and stereotyped as “poor, mixed-race, and uneducated.”

I am one of these northeastern migrants: I left Recife to come to São Paulo for my medical genetics residency. Here, as a northeastern woman, I felt xenophobia in my skin. I was even advised to conceal my accent when presenting scientific research, otherwise, I would not be respected. It was hard, but worth it. It allowed me to study genetics, and after all, there is a reason why northeastern women are symbols of strength and resilience.

During my residency, I had the chance to meet inspiring people who, despite suffering from genetic diseases, never give up. I attended children with epidermolysis bullosa, a disease that causes blisters on the skin. Moved to help them even more, I joined and still serve as a patron of the NGO “Butterfly Garden”. I also diagnosed and cared for a number of patients with rare/ultra-rare diseases. These patients and their families embark on a diagnostic odyssey, and at the end of the day, they are truly heroes. A third example were patients with progressive blindness, who motivated me to conduct research on retinitis pigmentosa. Ultimately, this is my biggest motivation for studying genetics in a PhD program: the people who suffer from disease. My journey has taught me that genomic research has great potential to improve quality of life, diagnosis, and treatment, and I have been fascinated and driven ever since. As a qualified genetics researcher, I believe I can make a bigger difference in the care for diseased people than as a medical doctor alone. These people need innovation, science. They need us.

At Georgia Tech, I aspire to conduct genomic research that addresses fundamental questions of biomedicine and its practical applications. The PhD program will be a challenging experience. I will have to study and work hard. Yet, studying and working hard are what I have done all my life. I also know that being a Latina in a foreign country will be difficult. However, I am certain the resilience and determination that carried me from Recife to São Paulo will serve me just as well in Atlanta. As a northeastern woman, I am ready to embrace every difficulty to fight for those who face much greater struggles: the sick.

Giving Back, Social Media, and Making Genetic Medicine Accessible

Are there any particular types of students whom you’d like to inspire? What advice would you give them?

International students from developing countries, women in STEM, and those transitioning between academic disciplines. Advice: You may encounter skepticism about your preparation and commitment to your field, but be certain that if you yield yourself fully to the process, you will find your place.

You are an unusually talented person, Ianne. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know who you might inspire.

If I could inspire a movement, I wish its results were advancing medical care and making it accessible to a larger number of people.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

I have an Instagram where I post about my PhD path and also innovations in health and science.

Thank you for these marvelous insights, Ianne! You’re a legend, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.

Key Takeaways

There’s so much gold and generosity in Ianne’s story, it’s hard to even know what to highlight. Her essays are magnificent. Her suggestion that you clearly articulate, first, what you don’t know, and second, what you need to know—this is golden advice. But if there are 4 things we want you to take away from this interview, they are:

• Don’t run from your (perceived) weaknesses: Even if you lack specific technical preparation, you can turn this into an asset by (i) articulating how your background gives you a powerful perspective and (ii) demonstrating exactly how you’ll fill that technical gap through your future studies. Research is about producing new knowledge, and often, that takes a unique perspective.
• Be very specific: Articulate the research you intend to pursue and identify the precise tools and abilities required for success. Pinpointing what you need to learn actually strengthens your application.
• Immerse yourself in the research world as early as possible: This doesn’t just mean in the laboratory, but conferences, grant-writing, and all the things that go along with the research ecosystem. Read 4 Steps to Funding in our Resource Library. The more professional you appear, the better an applicant you’ll be.
• Yield yourself fully to the process and you’ll find your place: No matter who you are, you’re going to encounter skepticism. It’s not an issue of your background or where you come from, but the very function of the admissions process—you’re asking yourself to be judged. But if you commit the way Ianne did, you’ll find your place. Academic research isn’t a CV credential—it’s a lifestyle, and it takes a bulldog’s tenacity for everyone.

Ianne has our deepest gratitude for sharing her story and advice, and we hope you found this interview as illuminating as we did.

Want more honest tips and insights from grad students who’ve achieved real success? Read more interviews here!