Colin Shepherd - Portfolio & CV

Skills

Data Science & AI

R & Python (Bioconductor packages, Pandas, NumPy...)
Machine learning algorithms (caret)
Natural language processing (SpaCy)
Data visualization & interpretation (ggplot2)
Statistical analysis
Algorithms

App Development

Dart, Flutter SDK
State Management
Firebase Integration
Native Device Features
Security, scalability and reliability

Tools & Others

Git, GitHub/GitLab
Docker
VS Code, Android Studio
Firebase
Google Cloud
API integration

About Me

I'm a dedicated and innovative problem solver. I can help build engaging web experiences and high-performance mobile applications using Flutter as the front end and a combination of Firebase and Google Cloud as the back end. This combination ensures a fast and beautiful appearing app to the users, and security, scalability and easy management for owners. My journey in technology is driven by my passion for leveraging technology to solve complex problems.

I have a PhD in Molecular and cellular biology and many years of experience in scientific research. As well as the science, I learned how to program, how to handle and analyse data appropriately, how to use AI and machine learning to enhance analyses.

I thrive in environments where I can apply my skills in data analysis, natural language processing, and machine learning to create intelligent, user-centric solutions. This portfolio showcases my work, demonstrating my capabilities and commitment to delivering solutions.

Please explore my page and feel free to reach out if you'd like to collaborate or discuss opportunities.

Work Experience

June 2024 - Present

Full stack developer at NuFitPlan Nutrition and fitness service

Remote

Developed a Flutter app with Firebase and Google Cloud backend.
Android, iOS, web, and desktop versions of the app from a single codebase.
Integrated with Stripe to process payments and subscriptions.
Uses natural language processing (machine learning) and AI to enhance app functionality.

Jan 2019 - August 2025

Scientific Editor at Fios Genomics

Edinburgh, UK

Worked across genomics and transcriptomics (and other -omics) technologies and data sets.
Applied appropriate statistical analyses and quality evaluation to various data sets.
Programming primarily in the R language.
Interpretation and discussion of results in context and how to use these to direct future work.

Sept 2013 - Jan 2019

Postdoctoral researcher at Newcastle University

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK

Worked on several projects which investigated the links between genetic variation in DNA, disease and treatments.
First appreciated the power of computer programming.

My Flutter App Showcase

Here's a working example of one of my recent Flutter applications. This section aims to demonstrate my proficiency in mobile app development, UI/UX design, cross-platform capabilities and back-end integration ensuring flawless functionality, security and scalability. Please try it out!

NuFitPlan

Category: Nutrition and fitness

This app is designed to walk users through a complicated sign-up process. It handles user data, leverages Firebase to handle real-time data storage and retrieval, a custom NLP model for data processing, and Gemini AI for summarisation of information. It is integrated with Stripe to handle payments and subscriptions.

Key feature 1: Fully functional, handles users, payments and subscriptions
Key feature 2: Uses Google Cloud for computation and data analysis
Key feature 3: Incorporates machine learning and Google Gemini AI
For testing purposes, during the subscription process use card number "4242 4242 4242 4242", any future expiry date, any CVC number, any name and any valid UK postcode.

This app is a work in progress as I have a list of features to add, but I'm proud to share it with you in its current state.

Education

PhD Molecular and Cellular Biology

University of Glasgow | UK

Graduated: July 2014

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry

University of Glasgow | UK

Graduated: July 2010

Certificates

Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I)

A series of classes illustrating the power of computing in modern biology. Essentially it was an advanced R programming course where I learned to use scripting and automated processes to solve complex biological data problems.

Advanced Data Visualisation with R

Coursera certification. Included advanced figures with ggplot2, spatial data, plotly and gganimate.

R Programming

Coursera certification. I learned general programming and scripting with R, loop functions and debugging, simulation and profiling, and R markdown.

The Data Scientist’s Toolbox

Coursera certification. Here modules included data science fundamentals, R and RStudio, version control and Github, R markdown and big data.

Prioritization of PLEC and GRINA as Osteoarthritis Risk Genes Through the Identification and Characterization of Novel Methylation Quantitative Trait Loci

Authors: SJ Rice, M Tselepi, AK Sorial, G Aubourg, C Shepherd, D Almarza, et al.

Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology, 2019

Expression analysis of the osteoarthritis genetic susceptibility mapping to the matrix Gla protein gene MGP

Authors: C Shepherd, AE Reese, LN Reynard, J Loughlin

Journal: Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2019

Prioritization of PLEC and GRINA as osteoarthritis risk genes through the identification and characterization of novel methylation quantitative trait loci 2019

Authors: S Rice, G Aubourg, T Sorial, DA Gomez, M Tselepi, C Shepherd, et al.

Type: Report/Conference Abstract, 2019

Multicentre genome wide association study identifies risk alleles for progressive chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Authors: D Allsup, WY Lin, SE Fordham, N Sunter, C Elstob, T Rahman, E Willmore, et al.

Journal: Blood, 2019

Functional Characterization of the Osteoarthritis Genetic Risk Residing at ALDH1A2 Identifies rs12915901 as a Key Target Variant

Authors: C Shepherd, D Zhu, AJ Skelton, J Combe, H Threadgold, L Zhu, et al.

Journal: Arthritis & Rheumatology, 2018

Genotype at the MGP OA risk locus correlates with an expression quantitative trait locus operating on MGP in cartilage and with dna methylation at a cluster of regulatory CpGs

Authors: C Shepherd, LN Reynard, J Loughlin

Journal: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2018

Identification of novel methylation quantitative trait loci (mqtls) and functional characterization using CRISPR/CAS9 and gene expression analysis prioritizes Plec as an oa gene

Authors: SJ Rice, AK Sorial, G Aubourg, C Shepherd, M Tselepi, D Almarza, et al.

Journal: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2018

Functional characterisation of the osteoarthritis genetic risk locus that resides at the gene ALDH1A2, coding for the retinoic acid synthesis enzyme RALDH2, identifies

Authors: C Shepherd, D Zhu, AJ Skelton, J Combe, LN Reynard, J Loughlin

Journal: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2017

Expression analysis of the osteoarthritis genetic susceptibility locus mapping to an intron of the MCF2L gene and marked by the polymorphism rs11842874

Authors: C Shepherd, AJ Skelton, MD Rushton, LN Reynard, J Loughlin

Journal: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2016

Methylation quantitative trait locus analysis of osteoarthritis links epigenetics with genetic risk

Authors: MD Rushton, LN Reynard, DA Young, C Shepherd, G Aubourg, F Gee, et al.

Journal: Human Molecular Genetics, 2015

Improved catenated structures of bovine peroxiredoxin III F190L reveal details of ring-ring interactions and a novel conformational state

Authors: Z Cao, DP McGow, C Shepherd, JG Lindsay

Journal: PLoS One, 2015

Methylation of cartilage DNA is a mediator of genetic risk at several OA susceptibility loci

Authors: MD Rushton, LN Reynard, DA Young, C Shepherd, R Darlay, HJ Cordell, et al.

Journal: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2015

Inactivation of mammalian Ero1α is catalysed by specific protein disulfide-isomerases

Authors: C Shepherd, OBV Oka, NJ Bulleid

Journal: Biochemical Journal, 2014

Functional Characterization of the Osteoarthritis Genetic Risk Residing at ALDH1A2 Identifies rs12915901 as a Key Target Variant. Arthritis Rheumatol 70, 1577-1587 (2018).

Authors: C Shepherd, D Zhu, AJ Skelton, J Combe, H Threadgold, L Zhu, et al.

Journal: Nat Genet, 2014

The mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase 1 α (Ero1α) inactivation

Authors: C Shepherd

Type: PhD Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2012

Get in Touch

I'm always open to discussing new projects, creative ideas, or opportunities to be part of your vision.

Contact Details

cshep1987@gmail.com

Dunfermline, UK

Hello, I'm Colin