Ben Davids, Ph.D.
Benemdavids@gmail.com
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University
- Mentor and Teacher
- Science, Data, and Technology Enthusiast
About Me
I am a biochemist fascinated by the intersection of biology and artificial intelligence. Currently, I'm a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University, where my research focuses on:
- The role of endogenous retroviruses in human physiology
- The Arc protein, an endogenous retroviral element critical for learning and memory
- Applying machine learning to biological data, particularly for analyzing large-scale genomic and proteomic datasets
Research Interests
- Endogenous retroviruses
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Bioinformatics and machine learning in biology
Teaching and Outreach
I'm passionate about science communication and education. My experience includes:
- Teaching biochemistry, molecular biology, and neurobiology to undergraduate and graduate students
- Participating in outreach activities to promote STEM education among underrepresented groups
Personal Interests
When I'm not in the lab or classroom, you can find me:
- Hiking in nature
- Diving into a good book
- Building and flying drones
- Coding for fun and personal projects
Research Interests
My research primarily focuses on Retrovirology and the study of Endogenous Retroviruses. Specifically, I am interested in the mechanisms underlying the early and late stages of the retroviral life cycle and the functions of endogenous retroviral elements in human physiology.
A notable area of my research is the Arc protein, an endogenous retroviral element that plays a critical role in cognitive processes such as learning and memory. Despite its essential functions in neuronal activity, Arc retains several virus-like characteristics, which may provide insights into its evolutionary origins and its impact on cellular processes.
Selected Publications
- Disparities in Life Expectancy Across US Counties Linked to County Social Factors, 2009 Community Health Status Indicators (CHSI)
- Bilateral gene interaction hierarchy analysis of the cell death gene response emphasizes the significance of cell cycle genes following unilateral traumatic brain injury
- Optogenetically-induced multimerization of the dopamine transporter increases uptake and trafficking to the plasma membrane
- Human Three Prime Repair Exonuclease 1 Promotes HIV-1 Integration by Preferentially Degrading Unprocessed Viral DNA
- HIV-1 mutants that escape the cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are defective in viral DNA integration
- Three Prime Repair Exonuclease 1 preferentially degrades the integration-incompetent HIV-1 DNA through favorable kinetics, thermodynamic, structural and conformational properties
- Assembly and Release of an Endogenous Retroviral Gag in the Brain (In preparation)
Passion Projects
A platform dedicated to simplifying complex scientific concepts through interactive tools, engaging videos, and informative articles. Designed to make science accessible and captivating, this platform caters to students of all ages, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for science.
A cutting-edge tool designed to propel scientific advancement and drive innovation. This platform empowers both professionals and the general public to make scientifically sound decisions, contributing to a better and more informed world.
Awards & Recognition
Meharry News and Event Highlights
Recognition for outstanding research and contributions to the field.
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