Personal

• Name: Benjamin Siranosian
• Place of Birth: Massachusetts, USA
• Date of Birth: April 5, 1993
• Nationality: USA
• E-mail: [email protected]
  

Education

Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island

Bachelor of Science in Computational Biology, expected May 2015 (Major GPA 3.8)




Aquincum Institute of Technology, Budapest, Hungary

Study Abroad: Fall Semester 2013

• Completed 6 courses in computational biology, data mining, network science, IT entrepreneurship, and user interface design

Research experience

LINK-Group Member

Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

September 2013 - Present

• Applied network science methods to analyze Hi-C (chromatin spatial interaction) data
• Collaborated with Dr. Peter Csermely, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Department of Medical Chemistry



Dr. Nicola Neretti's Laboratory

Brown University Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Providence, Rhode Island

January 2013 - Present: Undergraduate Researcher

• Coded a computational pipeline to analyze Hi-C (chromosome spatial arrangement) data
• Conducted pilot demography and diet choice experiment for fruit fly aging studies
• Currently working with graduate student Steven Criscione to analyze TCGA cancer database



Dr. Yongsong Huang's Laboratory

Brown University Department of Geological Sciences, Providence, Rhode Island

April 2012 - December 2012: Undergraduate Researcher

• Characterized isomerization in alkenones extracted from a Greenland lake - results could possibly improve the Uk37 temperature index
• Used multivariate statistics to analyze glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) distributions from North American soil



Dr. Maureen Conte's Laboratory

Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

June 2011 - September 2011: NSF-REU Researcher

• Investigated deep-ocean organic particle flux during a mesoscale eddy off the coast of Bermuda using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
• Presented results from earlier independent research project at MBL Undergraduate Research Symposium

April 2010 - June 2011: Lab Assistant

• Assisted in all laboratory duties, including sample preparation, photography and image analysis
• Completed an independent research project "Diversity of Leaf Waxes in Leaf Litter from the Nouragues Research Station, French Guiana"

Teaching experience

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

Brown University Department of Biology- BIOL190R: Phage Hunters

September 2012 - Present

• Prepared and administered semi-weekly mycobacteriophage and molecular biology labs for first-year students
• Developed protocols for transmission electron microscope imaging, liquid chromatography analysis and bioinformatic examination of phage genomes
• Helped students gain familiarity with laboratory research and documentation methods

Professional skills

• Programming Languages: Python, R, Java, HTML
• Software: GENE-E, Cytoscape, DNA Master, LaTeX, AxioVision, MS Excel, PowerPoint
• Wet Laboratory Skills: Drosophila melanogaster demography and aging studies, bacterial culturing, bacteriophage purification and analysis, molecular biology and DNA analysis, organic geochemistry techniques

Presentations at professional meetings

2014 SEA-PHAGES Symposium, Janelia Farm, Virgina

• Poster: "Functional phage predictions by DNA dynamics calculations," research completed as teaching assistant in Phage Hunters (see teaching experience)



2011 Marine Biological Research Laboratory Undergraduate Research Symposium

• Talk: "Diversity of Leaf Waxes in Leaf Litter from the Nouragues Research Station, French Guiana," based on findings from research with Dr. Maureen Conte
• Publication will be submitted to the Journal of Tropical Ecology

Research interests

• Biology: Aging causes and potential therapies, genetic and longevity effects of diet, cancer genomics, phage biology, phage evolution, phage therapy, cellular computing
• Computer Science: development of bioinformatics tools and algorithms, image analysis
• Environmental Preservation: Development of green technology, bioremediation, biofuels
• Teaching: methods to involve undergraduates and young students in research

Personal interests

• Outdoor adventuring: Vice president, Brown Outing Club. Lead week-long backpacking expeditions, rock climbing, kayaking, biking and other trips.
• Social action: Member, Brown University Social Action House
• Other: Traveling, cooking, weightlifting, music