Dr. Mariana Barnes (Kleinecke)

Bioinformatician and High Performance Computing Support Officer

Qualifications:

Dr. rer. nat., University of Luebeck, Germany, 2019; Master of Science; Bachelor of Science

Approved level of HDR supervision at Charles Darwin University:

Co-Supervisor for PhD

Location:

Darwin - Royal Darwin Hospital

Biography:

Dr. Mariana Barnes (née Kleinecke), is an bioinformatician, working at Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies), Darwin, Northern Territory. 
Mariana was born in Germany, where she studied Molecular Life Sciences. She then discovered a keen interest in bioinformatics and successfully finished her Master's and PhD theses, researching the genetics of coronary artery disease, demonstrating her skills in bioinformatics and laboratory-based molecular biology.  

Her current research focuses on targeted sequencing of diagnostic and surveillance markers in Plasmodium vivax and the human host using short-read, and long-read sequencing approaches. 

Furthermore, she manages the Menzies’ and Charles Darwin University’s High-Performance Computer, named Ada, a Linux based command line only machine. She is responsible for account and software management, including supporting users where possible.

  • vivaxGEN: Molecular surveillance of P.vivax
  • MinION sequencing for rapid detection of imported P. vivax cases
  • Establishing MinION sequencing to identify individuals with Glucose- 6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency