Gianluca Pollastri

Gianluca Pollastri is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin (UCD). He leads a research group focused on machine learning applications in bioinformatics, particularly protein structure prediction and analysis. His academic roles include Associate Professor since 2016, Senior Lecturer from 2008, and Lecturer from 2003. He earned an MSc from the University of Florence and a PhD from the University of California, Irvine.

His research integrates deep learning and neural networks to address challenges in protein subcellular localization, secondary structure prediction, and intrinsically disordered regions. Key tools developed include SCLpred, PaleAle, Porter, and PUNCH2. He has secured grants from Science Foundation Ireland, the Health Research Board, and UCD.

Pollastri’s work emphasizes rigorous validation of machine learning methods in biology, as outlined in the DOME framework. His lab has produced over 100 peer-reviewed articles, with recent focus on leveraging pre-trained language models (PLMs) for protein analysis.

• Education:
  • MSc, University of Florence
  • PhD, University of California, Irvine
• Awards:
  • Best M.Sc. Thesis in Artificial Intelligence (1999)
  • Best Student Project in Artificial Intelligence (1997)

His teaching includes modules on Bioinformatics, Connectionist Computing, and Programming. He coordinates research collaborations and maintains a lab with postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.