CV
This is my current curriculum vitae. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to connect or discuss any ideas!
Basics
Name | Alex El-Shaikh |
Label | Postdoctoral Researcher |
alex@el-shaikh.com | |
Url | https://el-shaikh.com |
ORCID | 0000-0001-6276-4020 |
Summary | I hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science with a passion for research, particularly in the field of DNA storage. I also thoroughly enjoy teaching and mentoring students, fostering their growth and learning. |
Work
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2019.11 - 2024.12 Marburg, Germany
Research Fellow
University of Marburg
I worked in the Database Systems Group led by Prof. Dr. Bernhard Seeger, where my primary focus was on researching innovative random access methods for DNA storage systems. This work culminated in earning my Ph.D. in Computer Science. Additionally, I contributed to academic activities by organizing lectures, leading exercise sessions, managing exams, and mentoring students on their bachelor’s and master’s projects.
- PhD Graduate
- Student Supervision
- Teaching Assistant
Talks
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2023.07.18
Cairo(El Weili), Egypt
Invited Speaker at Ain Shams University
Ain Shams University, Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences
Exploring DNA storage options regarding costs and future usability.
- Staff ERASMUS
- Scientific Exchange
- International Experience
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2023.03.07
Dresden, Germany
Invited Speaker at 'Novel Data Management Ideas on Heterogeneous Hardware Architectures (NoDMC), BTW 2023'
Technische Universität Dresden
Presenting our paper entitled 'DNAContainer: An object-based storage architecture on DNA' at BTW 2023.
- Accepted Paper
- Scientific Collaboration
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2023.03.23
Marburg, Germany
Invited Speaker at 'The 1st International Conference on Data Storage in Molecular Media'
University of Marburg
Presenting our paper entitled 'High-Scale Random Access on DNA Storage Systems'.
- Accepted Paper
- Scientific Collaboration
Peer Reviews
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2023 - PRESENT
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2023 - PRESENT
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2023 - PRESENT
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2023 - PRESENT
Volunteer
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2024.01 - Present Marburg, Germany
Recurring Guest
Debate Club (Brüder Grimm)
As a recurring guest, I enjoy conversations, discussions, and debates with the other members and leading organisators.
- Debates
- Exploring Different Ideas
- Feedback and Criticism
Education
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2019.11 - 2024.09 Marburg, Germany
Ph.D. in Computer Science (Dr. rer. nat.)
University of Marburg
Thesis title: Implementing random access on DNA data storage systems.
- DNA Storage
- Random Access
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2016.08 - 2016.12 Helsinki, Finland
ERASMUS Semester
Aalto University
Gaining international experience and improving my English.
- Finnish Culture
- International Experience
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2016 - 2019 Marburg, Germany
Master's in Computer Science (M. Sc.)
University of Marburg
Thesis title: Lightweight Indexing on Data Streams.
- Data Streams
- Online Query
- B+-trees
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2012 - 2015 Marburg, Germany
Bachelor's in Computer Science (B. Sc.)
University of Marburg
Thesis title: Developing an Android game with an interactive water simulation.
- Water Simulation
- Android Development
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2011 - 2012 Marburg, Germany
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2010 - 2011 Marburg, Germany
Studienkolleg (technology course)
University of Marburg
For recognition of a foreign high school certificate, e.g., secondary school graduation.
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Chemistry
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2006 - 2009 Medina, Saudi Arabia
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2005 - 2006 Medina, Saudi Arabia
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2003 - 2005 Cairo(Maadi), Egypt
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1998 - 2003 Cairo(Maadi), Egypt
Awards
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2023.03.07
Best Workshop Paper
BTW Workshop NoDMC 2023
After being awarded with the best workshop paper, we were invited to contribute an extension of our awarded paper entitled 'DNAContainer: an object-based storage architecture on DNA' to the Datenbank-Spektrum Journal. The extended paper is entilted 'An Extension of DNAContainer with a Small Memory Footprint'.
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2022.01.14
Editor's Choice
Editor-in-Chief Cedric Notredame at NAR Genomics and Bioinformatics
Our paper was selected as the Editor's Choice, highlighting its recognition as a high-quality publication.
Publications
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2023.10.30 An Extension of DNAContainer with a Small Memory Footprint
Datenbank-Spektrum
This publication extends and optimizes DNAContainer, a DNA data storage system already introduced in our previous publication. The paper focuses on reducing the memory footprint of DNAContainer while introducing new data operations, like deletion and overriding, on DNA.
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2023.04.29 Content-based filter queries on DNA data storage systems
Scientific Reports
This paper presents the first method enabling content-based data retrieval from DNA storage systems. Unlike traditional PCR-based methods, which are limited to key-value lookups, this approach allows data to be searched and extracted based on its content. The method leverages DNA barcodes and microarray technologies, offering a more advanced and flexible alternative for DNA data querying.
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2023.03.06 DNAContainer: An object-based storage architecture on DNA
Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V.
This publication introduces DNAContainer, a novel data storage system that enables users to manage data on DNA similarly to managing data on a disk. DNAContainer offers a virtual linear address space for efficient data addressing and supports organizing data into structures such as arrays and lists. Internally, it leverages optimization techniques, including error correction codes, to enhance the reliability of data stored on DNA.
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2022.01.14 High-scale random access on DNA storage systems
NAR Genomics and Bioinformatics
This publication proposes a novel approach to extend the address space available on DNA storage systems. Unlike traditional methods that rely on PCR and primers, this work demonstrates how DNA barcodes combined with locality-sensitive hashing (LSH) can expand the addressable space to accommodate millions of objects. This represents a significant advancement in enabling the simultaneous addressing of vast numbers of data items.
Skills
Programming Languages | |
Java | |
Python | |
Rust | |
C# | |
C++ | |
Haskell | |
Julia | |
Erlang | |
Kotlin | |
Scala | |
Lua | |
R | |
Prolog |
Data Management | |
SQL | |
NoSQL | |
Pandas | |
GeoPandas |
Lecture Assistance | |
Linear Algebra | |
Analysis | |
Database Systems | |
NoSQL Databases | |
Geo Databases | |
Software Engineering | |
Programming Internships | |
Object-oriented Programming | |
Efficient Algorithms |
Student Supervision | |
Bachelor's Projects | |
Master's Projects | |
Programming Projects | |
Exercise Sessions |
Languages
German | |
Native speaker |
Arabic | |
Native speaker |
English | |
Fluent |
Interests
Research | |
DNA Storage | |
Database Systems | |
Parallel Computing |
Scientific Engagement | |
Scientific Exchange | |
Teaching Activities |
Constructive Discussions | |
Politics | |
Philosophy and Religion | |
Psychology |
Hobbies | |
Travelling | |
Board Games | |
Swimming | |
Ping Pong |