Benjamin Pepper Email & Phone Number

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States

Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

• Modeled the brain in a synthetic collagen hydrogel to quantify and visualize astrocyte protein release response to cavitations from mild traumatic brain injury.
• Functionalized a manipulator to properly perform Needle Induced Cavitation under the microscope to determine the astrocyte response to the mimicked injury.
• 3D printed a hydrogel mold model designed in Fusion 360 optimized for best shape and size.
• Presented findings via scientific poster at statewide Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference.

Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

• Worked with students across all engineering disciples in 30-minute sessions to help improve their ability to effectively convey their experiences and skills on their resumes.

Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

• Helped students with homework in weekly office hours to make sure that they truly grasp the class concepts.
• Created rubrics for homework, showing all steps to solve problems so students could easily follow.
• Graded homework and left feedback so students have details of what to improve upon.

Akron, Ohio, United States

• Performed a novel investigation into how chemical reactions involving mechanophores progress over time by embedding these structures in polymeric materials, with applications in recycling and small molecule release.
• Synthesized mechanophores through esterification reactions, purifying products in column chromatography by polarity.
• Prepared a double network elastomer by radial polymerization, ensuring product was 99.5% pure.
• Performed Instron compression testing on samples with various hold times to control the reaction time.
• Measured the level of mechanophore activation via fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Consolidated findings into final report and presented at Northeast Ohio Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

• Optimized differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method to obtain accurate readings from various drug samples.
• Confirmed DSC readings through powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), identifying presence of desired peaks.
• Formulated a standard curve of various concentrations against its J/g readings to achieve an r-squared value > 0.99.
• Consolidated trials, methods, and results in a PowerPoint and poster presentation that were presented to the 40-person Analytical Sciences meeting and an open event to the company including the CEO, respectfully.
• Conducted reverse-phase high performance chromatography (HPLC) method optimization to reduce the run time from 35 minutes to 12 minutes while still having high resolution on the peak of interest.
• Complied over 100 DSC runs into a spreadsheet of findings used as data for the Control of Recrystallization in Tablets Containing Amorphous Solid Dispersion poster being presented at the AAPS PharmSci convention.

Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

• Helped students with homework in office hours to make sure that they truly grasp the technical class concepts.
• Graded homework and left feedback so students have details of what to improve upon.

Ashland, Massachusetts, United States

• Worked in lab for nanomaterials life sciences company to optimize cell development research for use in various medical devices.
• Examined cell tissue via histology using a paraffin dispenser, microtome, and hot water bath to prepare over 300 samples for investigation of cell growth on company-made electrospun material.
• Developed and reviewed standard operating procedures/method protocols for various processes.
• Used a spectrometer to conduct three-week wash study to investigate the pharmacokinetics of a drug.
• Assisted in conducting alamarBlue assay to investigate cell proliferation on company material.
• Grew and prepared cells for use in cell cultures including aspiration and trypsinization.

Ashland, Massachusetts, United States

Lead weekly board meetings, run 8 major events, raise money for new electronic signboard, and run biweekly meetings attended by 150 students.

Ashland, Massachusetts, United States

Responsible for all deposits and withdrawals for the club; I handled $14,000 and reconciled the bank account monthly.

Ashland, Massachusetts, United States

Organized class fundraisers and dances, participated in biweekly meetings, assisted in building a positive culture within my grade.

Ashland, Massachusetts, United States

• Supervised ten children, planned and led a variety of STEM activities, and mentored counselors in training.
• Earned a homemade superstar counselor award from one of my campers.

Bachelor'S Degree, Chemical Engineering

Education record

Activities and Societies: Student Council (2016 - 2020), Makerspace Mentorship (2017 - 2020), Make-a-Wish (2016 - 2020), National Honors.