Dr Alexandre Hefren De Vasconcelos

Alexandre Hefren is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Gene Regulatory Defects in Disease group, where he collaborates with Nick Owens. His research focuses on applying statistical and machine learning methods to biological sciences, with a particular emphasis on genetics.

Currently, Alexandre investigates how nucleosomes and DNA-binding transcription factors influence chromatin accessibility and gene expression through a comprehensive analysis of single-molecule footprint data. By integrating statistical modeling approaches (including Bayesian frameworks) and machine learning methods with his expertise in physics and applied mathematics, his work aims to understand gene expression mechanisms across multiple scales, from individual DNA molecules to the entire chromatin organisation. 

Prior to joining the University of Exeter in 2024, Alexandre was a Postdoctoral Research Associate in biological physics within Tom McLeish’s Physics of Life group at the University of York. This cross-disciplinary role was his first opportunity to conduct research in an area combining physics, applied mathematics, and biology. 

Alexandre obtained his PhD in applied mathematics from the University of York, following the completion of an MSc in theoretical physics at the Brazilian Center for Research in Physics. His PhD research, supervised by Professor Edward Corrigan, focused on the quantum backflow effect in the presence of defects.

His broad research interests span physics, machine learning, computational data science, and bioinformatics.

Additionally, he holds a Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy.

Education

• PhD, Mathematics - University of York, United Kingdom
• MSc, Physics - Brazilian Center for Research in Physics, Brazil
• BSc,  Physics - Federal University of Ceará, Brazil