Tomas Helikar, associate professor of biochemistry at UNL, received a $1.9 million grant from the IUSE program in 2019. This grant will enable Helikar to scale up the achievements of a $2.2 million IUSE grant funded in 2014 that has funded the development of Cell Collective. Cell Collective is software that makes computational modeling in the life sciences accessible to any student or instructor, regardless of setting or prior modeling experience.
For the 2014 grant, Helikar worked with co-PIs Joe Dauer, Xin Wang and John Sutton. For the 2019 grant, the co-PIs are Dauer and Wendy Smith.
Cell Collective is used annually by over 1,500 UNL students, with the greatest use in LIFE 120/121 courses. The software has the potential to transform the way biology students learn about complex living systems by enabling them to leverage computational modeling to acquire and apply scientific knowledge. The new grant will enable the dissemination of the software to institutions across the U.S.
Helikar’s research expertise is in computational systems biology, technology development, and STEM education. Read more to get to know Tomas!
Q: Have you had any great career mentors, and if so, what made them great?
A: “My best mentors have been able to share their personal experience with me. Additionally, they have been willing listeners, and I have been able to come to them to brainstorm about any idea, no matter how far-fetched it may be. The most critical thing that I have learned from my mentor is to put your ego aside in order to be open to new ideas and perspectives.”
Q: If you could give your 18-year-old self just one piece of advice, what would it be?
A: “It would be two-fold: First, put your ego aside and listen to those who have ‘been there done that’ because reinventing the wheel is real, and you can get further by accepting the help of others. Second, work longer and harder (when you are 18) because you have the energy: as you get older, other responsibilities pile on.”
Q: What was your first job?
A: “My first job during my first year of college in the Czech Republic, in 2001, was installing internet cables and service for an internet company. My first college job that led me to my career today was a research assistant position at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.”
Q: What is your favorite song/artist/genre?
A: “Electronic music.”
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: "As I get older, vacations are less about the location and more about being with family - immediate and extended. My extended family is located overseas in the Czech Republic. If I had to pick one place, it would be the Ambergris Caye island in Belize."