Dr David Clifford is a Research Scientist working on bioinformatics for agribusiness

Dr David Clifford: bringing a statistical perspective to bioinformatics

Dr David Clifford is a researcher who uses his skills in statistics to make sense of large and complex biological datasets.

• 2 July 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Current activities
• Background
• Academic qualifications
• Achievements

Current activities

Dr David Clifford's research has taken a new direction since he joined CSIRO, from spatial statistics, in which he completed his doctoral studies, to statistical bioinformatics.

Bioinformatics is about using mathematics, statistics and information technology to extract useful information from large and complex biological datasets.

Dr Clifford's current projects include:

• developing biosensors with colleagues in the Food Futures Flagship by analysing the data collected from the electronic nose
• detection of human growth hormone in athletes, and analysis of its effect on an athlete's body and performance.

Background

Dr Clifford joined CSIRO in 2004 as a Postdoctoral Fellow and has been a Research Scientist with CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics Division since 2006.

Dr Clifford is from Cork, Ireland and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Chicago, United States of America (USA).

Since joining CSIRO, Dr Clifford has collaborated with researchers across CSIRO, from The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and the University of Chicago.

Academic qualifications

Dr Clifford has been awarded a:

• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from the National University of Ireland, Ireland in 1999
• Master of Science in Statistics from the National University of Ireland, Ireland in 2000
• Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics from the University of Chicago, USA in 2004.

Achievements

Dr Clifford's achievements include being awarded:

• an International Science Linkages grant for 2010-2011 from the Australian Academy of Science
• the 2003 Consulting Award from the University of Chicago, USA
• a Fulbright Scholarship in 2000.

Read more about CSIRO's work in Smart statistics for bioinformatics.