# Lena Collienne > computer scientist in New Zealand **Wikidata**: [Q115245128](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115245128) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lena-collienne ## Summary Lena Collienne is a computer scientist based in New Zealand, recognized for her research in computational biology and phylogenetics. She serves as a researcher at the University of Canterbury and received the Hatherton Award in 2022 for her significant contributions to physical sciences. Her work primarily focuses on the mathematical structures of evolutionary trees. ## Biography - **Nationality:** New Zealand (based on affiliation and awards) - **Education:** - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Otago (2021) - Thesis: *Spaces of phylogenetic time trees* - **Known for:** Research on spaces of phylogenetic time trees; contributions to theoretical computer science and bioinformatics. - **Employer(s):** - University of Canterbury (Current) - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Affiliated) - **Field(s):** Computer Science, Phylogenetics, Computational Biology - **Doctoral Advisor(s):** Alex Gavryushkin, David Bryant ## Contributions Lena Collienne has made distinct contributions to the field of computer science through her research on phylogenetic time trees. Her doctoral thesis, titled *Spaces of phylogenetic time trees*, successfully completed in 2021 at the University of Otago, explored the complex mathematical and computational spaces associated with evolutionary histories. Her work bridges theoretical computer science and biological applications, a focus that led to her employment at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, a leading cancer research institute. In November 2022, her research impact was formally recognized when she was awarded the Hatherton Award by the Royal Society of New Zealand. This award highlights her role in producing high-quality, impactful physical science research. Additionally, she maintains an active academic profile with a Google Scholar author ID (GaB8X1MAAAAJ), facilitating the tracking of her citations and academic influence. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Lena Collienne's primary field of research? A: Lena Collienne works in the field of computer science, with a specific focus on phylogenetics and the computational analysis of time trees. ### Q: What award did Lena Collienne receive in 2022? A: In November 2022, Lena Collienne received the Hatherton Award, which recognizes excellence in physical sciences in New Zealand. ### Q: Where did Lena Collienne complete her doctoral studies? A: She completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the University of Otago in 2021, submitting a thesis titled *Spaces of phylogenetic time trees*. ## Why They Matter Lena Collienne matters to the scientific community for her ability to apply rigorous computer science principles to complex biological problems, specifically in the realm of phylogenetics. Her work on "spaces of phylogenetic time trees" provides a framework for better understanding evolutionary data, which is crucial for fields ranging from biodiversity to epidemiology. Her significance is underscored by the Hatherton Award, an accolade that validates the importance of her contributions to physical sciences early in her career. By holding positions at both the University of Canterbury and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, she acts as a link between academic theoretical research and practical medical/biological application. Her research helps refine the tools scientists use to map evolutionary history, making the analysis of biological data more robust. ## Notable For - **Hatherton Award Winner (2022):** Recognized by the Royal Society of New Zealand for outstanding research in physical sciences. - **Doctoral Research:** Authoring the thesis *Spaces of phylogenetic time trees* (2021). - **Academic Affiliations:** Serving as a researcher at the University of Canterbury and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. - **Interdisciplinary Work:** Combining computer science with bioinformatics and evolutionary biology. ## Body ### Education and Early Career Lena Collienne completed her higher education in New Zealand. She attended the University of Otago, where she pursued a Doctor of Philosophy. During her doctoral candidacy, she was advised by Alex Gavryushkin and David Bryant. Her research culminated in 2021 with the acceptance of her doctoral thesis, *Spaces of phylogenetic time trees*. This work contributes to the understanding of how computational spaces can represent evolutionary timelines. ### Professional Appointments Collienne is professionally active in both New Zealand and the United States. - **University of Canterbury:** She is currently listed as an employer/academic staff member at this public research university in Christchurch, New Zealand. - **Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center:** She has held a position at this prestigious cancer research institute in Seattle, Washington, indicating her involvement in computational biology related to disease research. ### Recognition In 2022, Collienne's contributions to her field were highlighted when she received the Hatherton Award. This award is granted by the Royal Society of New Zealand (Te Apārangi) to researchers who have produced the best contribution to physical sciences. The award confirms her standing as a significant emerging talent in the New Zealand scientific landscape. She is also recognized under the alias L Collienne in academic databases. ## References 1. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10523/12606) 2. [Source](https://www.lenacoll.de/) 3. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0003-4215-8263/employment/20299460) 4. [Source](https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/research-honours-aotearoa-winners-celebrated-in-otepoti-dunedin/)