Meet the Student - Asqa

“You Know What You’re Getting Into”: Asqa on Finding Her Path in Bioinformatics

Asqa is currently studying MSc Bioinformatics at Queen Mary University of London, having previously completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at the same institution. She first discovered the course through a departmental email, and what stood out most was that no prior coding experience was needed—something that encouraged her to take the leap into a new and exciting field. Now, she’s diving into languages like Python and R and embracing the challenges of postgraduate study.

Here, she reflects on what led her to choose the programme, the support she's received along the way, and what it’s like to return to Queen Mary for a second degree.

“I first learnt about MSc Bioinformatics through Queen Mary itself when I did my Neuroscience undergraduate. SBBS sent out an email about the course as it related to my bachelors and I was particularly interested in applying as they made it clear no prior experience in coding was necessary. I mostly enjoy learning new coding languages throughout the course such as Python and R.”

For Asqa, the decision to stay at Queen Mary came down to both practical and personal reasons. The location was a major draw, but so too was the strong support network the university offers both during and after your studies.

“The main factor about Queen Mary was the location. Queen Mary has many campuses but the main Mile End campus is only a 25-minute journey away from my residence, which makes coming to university more ideal. The university provides a lot of services and support even after graduation, which really influenced my decision to come back.”

During her time at university, Asqa’s had a number of memorable experiences—including attending student-led events that helped her connect with the wider community.

“One memorable experience I had was when I attended an ISOC event in my third year. It was very well organized and a great opportunity to network with other students.”

One of the services that’s made a lasting impact for her is the university’s Careers and Enterprise offering, which has helped her feel more confident in navigating her next steps.

“The careers enterprise service has been a valuable aspect of QM. Throughout my degree as well as after, they have their services available—including emails on potential grad schemes or jobs, or even a one-to-one talk on career prospects. As someone who struggled to find a suitable career pathway, I am really grateful for this service.”

Asqa is also honest about the challenges of moving from undergraduate to postgraduate study—but says the transparency and guidance she received helped her feel prepared.

“This is my first postgraduate programme. Queen Mary has supported the transition by always being transparent about the challenges and differences between undergrad and postgrad studies, which was really appreciated. You know what you are getting into before you start the course.”

On campus, she’s found both community and comfort in the spaces that make studying and socialising easier.

“The location is ideal for me as I don’t have to travel far to reach campus. I really enjoy coming to the library to work with friends, or even alone if necessary. My favourite spot would be the Grad Centre café.”

Motivated by her positive experience, Asqa chose to become a Student Ambassador with the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences to help others discover the same opportunities.

“I applied to be a student ambassador as I feel passionate about my course and would love to inspire others to pursue a master’s or even to study at QM.”