Computer Science Research

Lina
Syrian
Computer Science Research MPhil/PhD

After receiving my MSc degree in Informatics from Damascus University, I was granted a full scholarship to undertake my PhD studies abroad. I chose King's based on the advice of my colleagues who have had a great experience there during their postgraduate studies, and due to its worldwide reputation.

 

Having studied at a new faculty in Syria where research is still in its beginnings, I was amazed by the outstanding research facilities offered for students at King's, and its stimulating and super-friendly research environment where you can easily discuss your ideas and get help from the academic staff and fellow researchers, as well as socialise and enjoy your free time with them.

 

I am now starting my third PhD year in the AIS research group at the Department of Informatics, and I am totally satisfied with my experience so far, during which I have benefited from excellent supervision, attended a number of college-organized training courses, and had the opportunity to assist in teaching. I will try to use the valuable skills I am acquiring during this experience to enhance the education sector (research in particular) in Syria where I have a position as a lecturer after obtaining my degree.

Professor Maxime Crochemore
Computer Science Research MPhil/PhD
The Department of Informatics at King's is organised around five research sections. I am a member of the Bioinformatics and Algorithm Design section. My main research interest is the design and analysis of algorithms. My major achievements are on string algorithms, called Stringology; this includes pattern matching, text indexing, compression and coding. We collaborate with international groups working in the same domain as well as with companies.

 

The field developed at the same time as computers emerged. Many researchers and I find it still highly attractive because it draws its sources in the combinatorial aspects of strings but also propagates in widely recognised services and associated software. String algorithms are used in ancillary software like text editors, compilers, and web interfaces as well as personal search engines, tools for data mining/pattern extraction, and data compression for storage and transmission.

 

The increasing amount of data available on the Internet boosts the need for more efficient string algorithms to extract useful information for users. The same requirement applies in the analysis of biological molecular sequences for which efficient methods are essential. The expansion is likely to continue at the same pace with the digitisation of sources of information including music and videos.