Benjamin Yang Email & Phone Number

R&D DivisionMultiOmics Data Analysis GroupCore Labs - Bioinformatics Hub

Ann Arbor, Michigan, US

• As members of a dynamic social network, each cell receives, interprets, and redistributes biological information to define and maintain tissue homeostasis. My dissertation seeks to characterize the factors that perturb.
• Data Analysis: R; Python; Matlab; bash; FIJI/ImageJ
• NGS/Bioinformatics: Bulk & single-cell RNA-seq & ATAC-seq; ChIP-seq; CUT&RUN / CUT&TAG; Nanostring; Hi-C; Genome-scale metabolic modeling
• Molecular Biology: Cell culture (primary & cell lines); DNA & RNA isolation; RT-PCR/PCR; Immuno-staining (cells & tissues); Lentiviral transductions; Transfections; Flow cytometry; Western blots
• Imaging: Confocal and epifluorescence microscopy
• Microfluidics: PDMS device design and fabrication (e.g. droplet encapsulation, micro-wells, cell culture & manipulation) Funding:

San Diego, California, US

• Contributed to the MicroC3 (microfluidic cis-coculture) platform, an ex vivo companion diagnostic (CDx) that integrates with clinical workflows to rapidly identify effective treatments for blood cancer patients using a.
• Wrote specific aims and contributed data to 2 SBIR grants

San Diego, CA, US

• Consumables Assay & Reagents Group
• Evaluated materials and biochemical assay conditions for an automated library prep platform
• Optimized assay formulations for a nucleic acid detection and quantitation module
• Communicated concisely in weekly updates and delivered an exit seminar to technical and public audiencesManagers: Rigo Pantoja, Al Eckhardt, Eric Vermaas

La Jolla, CA, US

• Developed an innovative microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic for the treatment of sepsis
• Constructed a COMSOL model to simulate heat transfer and fluid dynamics
• Integrated digital droplet PCR, fluorescence imaging, and high resolution melts (HRM) for DNA fingerprinting
• Presented at the Summer Research Conference with the support of the UC Scholars Program
• US Patent Application PCT/US2017/068313PI: Stephanie Fraley, PhD

Landover, MD, US

• Promoted undergraduate involvement in biomedical research and entrepreneurship
• Established research projects in 5 faculty labs for 6 undergraduate student teams across 3 departments
• Planned and co-hosted workshop series covering engineering leadership and biomedical entrepreneurship in collaboration with the von Liebig Entrepreneurism Center and the Gordon Engineering Leadership Center
• Developed an outreach program to introduce high school students to bioengineering
• Facilitated the entry of 4 student teams into the NSF I-Corps Program
• Recruited over 30 committee members to assist with project team management and faculty communication

San Diego, CA, US

• Observed surgical procedures in pediatric orthopedic and plastic surgery departments
• Collaborated with mentors to identify problems with engineering solutions in the clinic
• Presented solutions to clinical problems as a case study to clinicians and students

La Jolla, CA, US

• Studied the mechanical-epigenetic behavior of glioblastoma cells in varying mechanical microenvironments and treatments with chemotherapeutic drugs
• Performed confocal, fluorescent, and 3D traction force microscopy protocols
• Analyzed confocal and FRET data to compute ECM-cell, intracellular, and intercellular force in MATLAB
• Prepared polyacrylamide gels of varying stiffness for 3D traction force microscopy
• Applied cell culture techniques for passaging and changing media
• Presented poster at Faculty Mentor Program (FMP) Research SymposiumPI: Shu Chien, MD, PhDMentor: Sung-Sik Hur, PhD

California, US

• Wrote monthly articles covering developments in biomedical research
• Made complex research topics accessible to the general public

• Developed a prototype light source in bandage for enhanced wound healing
• Explored material and design upgrades to enhance durability, comfort, and manufacturability
• Wrote a questionnaire to gauge end-user response to prototype
• Assembled new versions of prototype

La Jolla, CA, US

• Developed a Micro-Manager plug-in to facilitate the acquisition of cardiac videos of Drosophila melanogaster for high-throughput gene screens
• Optimized a microscopy protocol to identify candidates for screens of genetic adaptations to hypoxia
• Co-authored a methods paper on system for publication in JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments)
• Partnered in recruitment and training of 3 new interns
• Anesthetized flies and performed cardiac screensPI: Rolf Bodmer, PhDMentor: Rachel Zarndt, PhD

Palo Alto, CA, US

• Lab-intensive course that simulated a first-year medical student’s clinical anatomy class
• Learned human anatomy and physiology through lectures involving cadavers and prosections
• Worked with laparoscopic instruments and robotic surgery simulators

Palo Alto, CA, US

• Studied human anatomy, physiology, and developments in cardiothoracic surgery
• Practiced dissection, suturing, tying, cannulation, and valve replacement on porcine hearts
• Engineered new, innovative solution for atrial septal defect with two team members

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Biomedical Engineering And Scientific Computing

Master Of Science In Engineering, Biomedical Engineering (Biotechnology And Systems Biology)

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Bioengineering: Biotechnology

Education record

Education record