Benjamin Ricca Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Il, Us

Durham, North Carolina, Us

Durham, North Carolina, Us

• Drafted and revised scientific manuscripts from outline stages through publication• Wrote abstracts, posters, and oral presentations for major medical congresses• Developed content, provided onsite support, and prepared reports for scientific advisory board meetings• Performed monthly literature searches and designed new format for summary reports• Prepared publication planning, competitor publication analysis, and internal education materials for clients• Produced layperson summaries from clinical study reports and literature sources

Berkeley, Ca, Us

RESEARCH • Discovered novel mechanism of reverting malignant phenotype in cultured tumor models by way of mechanical stimulation that induces nitric oxide signaling • Characterized 3D culture tumor models under drug and physical treatment by way of bright field and immunofluorescence microscopy and transcriptomics (RNA-seq) • Developed label-free image-based live-cell assay for intracellular melanin content • Constructed automated mobile tablet-based microscopes and custom cell culture chambers • Designed, revised, and completed projects in cancer cell biology, bioinformatics, and bioengineering • Wrote grant and fellowship applications, including successful NIH Kirchstein NRSA • Mentored and trained two undergraduate and two graduate student researchers • Published research on inhibition of malignancy in 3D culture model in peer-reviewed journal • Published review on mechanotransduction in mammalian cells in scientific journal • Presented research at scientific conferences, including ASCB Annual Meeting • Organized safety documentation, training, and compliance for team of approximately 20 researchers as lab safety officer, in accordance with NIH and Cal/OSHA guidelinesTEACHINGInstructed graduate students in microscope construction and optics concepts in laboratory course as part of Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute microscopy course

Woods Hole, Ma, Us

• Trained students in atomic force microscopy (AFM), fluorescence microscopy, and image analysis in projects involving in vitro reconstitution of proteins on lipid membranes

RESEARCH • Developed purification protocols for myosin motor proteins • Disrupted cytoskeleton structure in cells using RNA interference and imaged protein localization • Constructed optical trap and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopes • Designed, revised, and completed projects in biochemistry, single-molecule microscopy, and mammalian cell biology • Published research on characterization of myosin X in two peer-reviewed journal articles • Presented research at scientific conferences, including ASCB Annual Meeting and Biophysical Society Annual MeetingTEACHING • Led reviews of course material and evaluated students’ knowledge through exams • Courses included molecular and cell biology (2005) and ribosome biochemistry (2006)

Champaign, Il, Us

RESEARCH • Performed in vitro selection of DNA molecules that ligate RNA • Identified active site residues and performed enzyme kinetics assays on DNA molecules that ligate RNA • Published research in peer-reviewed journal and presented results at RNA Society meeting (2004) TEACHING • Taught bi-weekly discussions and wrote quizzes to evaluate students’ general chemistry knowledge

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Biochemistry And Molecular Biology

Bachelor’S Degree, Biochemistry