Martin is a freelance trainer specialising in programming and Linux skills tailored for researchers in biological sciences. With a background in biology and a PhD in large-scale phylogenetics, Martin combines deep scientific expertise with practical computational training to empower researchers to leverage coding and open-source tools in their work.
His teaching primarily focuses on Python programming and Linux, with an emphasis on applications relevant to biological data analysis. Since launching Python for Biologists in 2015, Martin has dedicated himself full-time to teaching and writing, helping bridge the gap between biology and computational skills.
Education & Career
• PhD in Large-Scale Phylogenetics, 2007
• Former Lecturer in Bioinformatics, University of Edinburgh
• Founder of Python for Biologists (2015–present)
• Over a decade of experience training biologists in programming and Linux
Training & Skills
Martin specialises in:
• Python programming for biological research
• Linux command line and scripting
• Bioinformatics workflows and reproducible research practices
Professional Focus
Martin’s work focuses on equipping life scientists with the computational tools necessary to analyse complex biological datasets. He advocates for practical, hands-on training that helps researchers automate tasks, perform reproducible analyses, and develop programming confidence.
Teaching & Writing
• Full-time educator and author on programming for biologists
• Creator of tutorials, workshops, and online courses in Python and Linux
• Active in the bioinformatics and computational biology training community
Links
• Python for Biologists