Jake Benjamin Email & Phone Number

I am a biomedical scientist with a background in the study of fungus and its impact on the human body. I started my laboratory experience at Grand Valley State University studying a type of commensal fungus found on the human body called Candida albicans for two years. I studied different virulence associated traits related to the fungus, as well as how those traits are altered during spaceflight. Using my lab experience, I began doing sterile lab work for a gourmet mushroom cultivation company, Mycophile's Garden. I used aseptic technique to transfer mushroom mycelium into sterilized substrate, creating mushroom grow blocks. After moving on from that, I worked in a hydroponic farm operated by Square Roots. I used biosecure workplace practices to ensure efficient functionality of grow chambers. I grew and harvested hundreds of pounds of basil weekly by hand, was responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of grow chamber systems, and designed experiments to increase crop yield.

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  Associate Grower

  Square Roots

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  Grand Valley State University Alumni

  Biomedical Sciences, General