Thomas (Ben) Stephenson Email & Phone Number

Panama City, Florida Area

Worked with an interdisciplinary team of engineers and scientists to design, develop, test, and manufacture a next-generation reusable N95 respirator intended to be reused and reprocessed via washer-disinfection and autoclave sterilization. Currently supporting efforts to complete testing required for FDA authorization of reprocessing claims. Project funded by BARDA. Awarded US patent for Reusable Respiratory Protection Device. US Patent NO: US10835704B1 (2020)Primary Investigator on research project to assess the durability and level of SARS-CoV-2 contamination of N95 respirators used by healthcare workers in emergency room facilities. N95 performance was assessed by measuring breathing resistance (mmH2O) and particle penetration (%) using a TSI 8130a. SARS-CoV-2 contamination was measured by RTqPCR. Project funded by NIOSH.Supportive role in proof-of-principle research for a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) for canines

Panama City, Florida Area

Performed proof-of-principle research related to the concept of a next-generation reusable N95 respirator that can be reprocessed via washer-disinfection and autoclave sterilization. Lead research efforts to inform subsequent design iterations of a next generation reusable N95 respirator during prototyping phase.Lead scientist on a research project to better understand the protective factor provided by face-shields and facemasks during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Project funded by OSHA.Lead scientist on effort to develop and test a new detection platform called the ProIRIS (Prophage-Based Infectious Reporter Induction System) Biosensor. Internal R&D project funded by ARA.

Panama City, Florida Area

Developed and taught a professional development course designed to give AP Biology teachers in the Bay County School System and GCSC Biology Faculty the technical skills needed to cover CRISRPR/Cas9 genome editing in the classroom and laboratory. This exciting teaching role was covered in the Panama City News Herald (http://www.newsherald.com/news/20170620/gulf-coast-state-college-looks-to-incorporate-crispr-into-labs)

St. Augustine Florida

Thesis: “Insights into the earliest properties of the Hox Developmental Code”Completed the first functional analysis of cnidarian Hox genes using microinjection techniques in the Starlet Sea Anemone, N. vectensis.Adapted CRISPR/Cas9 techniques to perform functional genetic studies in Cnidarians (jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals). Profiled the spaciotemporal domain of PAR proteins during early development of N. vectensis.

Gainesville, Florida Area

Advisor: Nicholas Muzyczka, Ph.D.Managed day-to-day laboratory functions and assisted in graduate student research.Responsible for ordering equipment and reagents using appropriate funding sourcesMaintained mammalian cell cultures (HEK2093 and HeLa cells)Aided in graduate student research to characterize a region of the viral coat called the “ph quartet”, which is known to influence infection.

Pensacola, Florida Area

Advisor: Hui-min Chung, Ph.D.Part of a small undergraduate research team responsible for adopting the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, for use as a comparative model system in a Drosophila laboratory. Results presented jointly as a poster at the Southeast Regional Society for Developmental Biology meeting in 2012 (see presentations)

Master Of Science (M.S.), Medical Sciences

Bachelor’S Degree, Biology, General

Associate’S Degree, Biology, General