Benjamin Cross Email & Phone Number

My research area is microbiology and immunology, with a focus on oral streptococci and host-pathogen interactions. I am currently working at SUNY Buffalo in the Department of Oral Biology. My project in the Ruhl lab focuses on the mechanisms bacteria use to bind to glycoproteins in saliva and on cell surfaces. This research will hopefully lead to new methods of preventing dental cavities and other oral diseases.I'm actively searching for a research or technical position in the biotechnology industry. I love my current home in Buffalo (Go Sabres!) but I would happily relocate in the Northeast, including Rochester, Pittsburgh (Go Pens!), New York City, or BostonIn Dr. Ruhl's lab I have learned all about grant writing, mentorship, and research design. At the bench, I'm using the microbiology and cloning techniques I learned in my Ph.D. dissertation studies, but I've also learned techniques like mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, and lots of niche glycobiology tricks.I received my Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in May 2016. My advisor was Dr. Rob Quivey. I stayed with Dr. Quivey as a postdoc for one year in order to wrap up my research project, which focused on bacterial physiology as it relates to dental caries. Specifically, I studied the fatty acid and phospholipid synthesis pathways of Streptococcus mutans using radioisotopes, thin layer chromatography, and qPCR.

Listed skills include Molecular Microbiology, Bacterial Physiology, Molecular Cloning, Vector Cloning, and 9 others.