Ben grew up in Paramus, NJ. He spent a long time in Baltimore- he received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and his Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine under the supervision of Takanari Inoue and Andre Levchenko. Afterwards, he took a leap of faith and joined Ruth Lehmann’s lab as a postdoctoral fellow without taking a single genetics class. He is now a full-fledged fly pusher and loves looking at cells under the microscope.

I'm interested in the complex mechanisms living organisms use to maintain order. This encompasses both macro-scale development and the molecular intricacies of cell metabolism and biology. In pursuit of these questions I have studied fruit fly behavior, metabolism and neurobiology during a master's from Hofstra University in the DiAngelo Lab and a graduate degree from Texas A&M in the Keene Lab. As a tractable model organism, the fruit fly allows us to answer these mechanistic questions in eloquent ways. As a postdoc in the Lin Lab I aim to elucidate how cellular metabolism plays a role in germ cell migration and what goes wrong in diseases like cancer and metabolic diseases.

Molecular and Cellular Biology Ph.D Program

Maelle is an undergraduate at Stony Brook University pursuing a Biology B.S. on the pre-med track. She is part of the University Scholars program in the class of ’26. Maelle is interested in studying how the structure of organisms helps us learn more about their function and the understanding of their complex mechanisms. She is drawn to research because of its pivotal role in driving discoveries essential for clinical progress, aligning with her aspirations to pursue a career in medicine.

Nikhil is an undergraduate student at Stony Brook University studying Biology on the pre-health track in the class of 2026. He is a member of the Honors College and Scholars for Medicine BS/MD program. Nikhil is fascinated by the evolution, growth, and development of organisms through a genetic lens. He is interested in research because of the difference that research can make in improving healthcare outcomes and developing new pathways to treatment.

Katherine is an undergraduate student at Stony Brook University studying Biology and Chemistry on the pre-med track. She is a member of the Honors College in the class of 2026. Katherine’s point of interest in Biology lies in the intersection between microbiology and its implications in cancer research. She is also passionate about research that addresses and combats healthcare disparities in marginalized communities.

Andrew is an undergraduate student at Stony Brook University, majoring in Biology on the pre-med track. He is drawn to understanding the intricacies of gene expression and its influence on the development of organisms. Andrew is interested in research because of its vital role in advancing treatments and creating opportunities for innovative approaches to diagnosis and medical care.

Join our team!