Benjamin Merritt is a biology student at Rochester Institute of Technology expected to graduate in May 2016 with a 3.76 GPA. He has extensive research experience including projects at RIT and The Scripps Research Institute focused on plant biology, chemistry, and pharmacology. He has authored two publications and presented his work at several conferences. Merritt maintains an active role in professional organizations and has received multiple honors and awards for his academic and research accomplishments.

1. Curriculum Vitae
Benjamin Andrew Merritt
Address Contact
149 Southern Parkway Cell: (585) 730-3852
Rochester, NY 14618 Email: bam3533@rit.edu
Education
B.S. in Biology, expected May 2016
Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
Minor: Chemistry
Immersion: German
GPA: 3.76 (current)
Member of University Honors Program
Academic Interests
Biological Sciences, Plant Biology and Botany, Chemistry, Pharmacology.
Membership in Professional Organizations
2013-current American Chemical Society
2010-current The National Society of High School Scholars
Publications
1. Savka, M.A., L. Dailey, M. Popova, R. Mihaylova, B.A. Merritt, et al.
2015. “Chemical Composition and Disruption of Quorum Sensing
Signaling in Geographically Diverse United States Propolis,” Evidence-
Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2015 (May 25),
Article ID 472593, 10 pages, DOI:10.1155/2015/472593. Online:
<http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/472593/>
2. Coleman, M.G., T.J. Thomas, B.A. Merritt, et al. “Cyclopropenation of
Internal Alkynylsilanes and Diazoacetates Catalyzed by Copper(I) N-
Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes.” Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry.
Published January 7, 2016. DOI: 10.1039/c5ob02259b
Fellowship
Undergraduate Research Fellowship [SURF]: The Scripps Research Institute
[TSRI] in Florida (summer 2014).

2. B. Merritt CV 2
Research Scholarships
Undergraduate Research Scholarship, University Honors Program, Rochester
Institute of Technology (summer 2013; fall/spring semesters 2014-2015; summer
2015).
GRE Scores (Scaled Score, Percentile Below)
General:
Verbal Reasoning (158, 79%)
Quantitative Reasoning (152, 48%)
Analytical Writing (5.0, 93%)
Subject, Biology (860, 94%):
Cellular & Molecular Biology (85, 92%)
Organismal Biology (93, 99%)
Ecology & Evolution (75, 71%)
Honors/Awards
Dean’s List: 2014-15 (fall and spring semester); 2013-14 (fall and spring
semester); 2012-13 (winter quarter); 2011-12 (fall and spring quarters)
Chemistry Achievement Award, May 2010. American Chemical Society,
Rochester NY.
Winner of nation-wide high-school student competition in German language
proficiency, 2010 (Recipient of four-week Study/Travel Scholarship to Nürnberg,
Germany), American Association of Teachers of German/Pedagogical Exchange
Service Bonn, Germany (AATG/PAD).
Certificate of Achievement in German, Test Level 4, summa cum laude, 2010.
American Association of Teachers of German, Rochester NY Chapter 39.
Chemistry Achievement Award (top 10 percent of class), 2009.
American Chemical Society.
Certificate of Achievement in German, Test Level 3, summa cum laude, 2009.
American Association of Teachers of German, Rochester NY Chapter 39.
Recognition of Achievement, 2009. American Mathematics Contest 10/12.
Certificate of Achievement in German, Test Level 2, summa cum laude, April
2008. American Association of Teachers of German, Rochester NY Chapter 39.

3. B. Merritt CV 3
Talks and Conference Presentations
2015 (August 7)
Merritt, Benjamin: “Studies Toward the Synthesis of a Novel Plant Hormone
Imaging Agent” (Oral); Undergraduate Research Symposium. Rochester Institute
of Technology, Rochester, NY.
2015 (April 18)
Merritt, Benjamin: “Studies Toward the Synthesis of a Novel Plant Hormone
Imaging Agent” (Oral); 60th
Annual American Chemical Society Undergraduate
Research Symposium. SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY.
2015 (April 8)
Merritt, Benjamin: “Studies Toward the Synthesis of a Novel Plant Hormone
Imaging Agent” (Oral); College of Science Undergraduate Researchers Seminar.
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY.
2014 (August 14)
Merritt, Benjamin: “Pharmacological Disruption of Methamphetamine-Associated
Memory” (Poster Presentation); SURF Undergraduate Researcher Presentations.
The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL.
2014 (April)
Thomas, Thomas and Benjamin Merritt: “Highly Selective Copper(II)-Catalyzed
Cycloaddition of Internal Alkynes and Diazoacetates” (Poster Presentation);
Undergraduate Research Symposium; Rochester Institute of Technology,
Rochester, NY.
2013 (October 23-26)
Thomas, Thomas and Benjamin Merritt: “Cyclopropenation of Internal Alkynes
with Diazoacetates” (Poster Presentation); American Chemical Society [ACS]
Northeast Regional Meeting [NERM]. New Haven, Connecticut.
2012 (August 10)
Merritt, Benjamin: “Identification of Chemical Fractions from the Natural Product
Propolis with Anti-Pathogenic Properties: an Inhibitory Effect on Quorum-
Sensing Systems” (Poster Presentation); Undergraduate Research Symposium;
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY.
Research Experience
Research Internship: The Scripps Research Institute [TSRI] in Florida, summer
2014. P.I. Dr. Courtney Miller (lab supervisor).

4. B. Merritt CV 4
Worked with mice and rats to find a pharmacological way to treat
methamphetamine addiction; used implanted canulae to administer the agents;
learned histological techniques while cutting brains with a microtome and then
plating and staining them with cresyl violet to observe under a microscope; gained
minor experience handling and injecting mice with oxycodone, while also
researching actin polymerization extensively.
Research Assistant: Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Research under
Supervision of Dr. Coleman, Chemistry, Rochester Institute of Technology,
summer 2013-2015 (current).
Gaining practice in basic/intermediate chemistry lab technique; worked on
chemical syntheses and product recovery through use of chromatography
columns, TLC, rotary evaporators, and copper catalyst reactions. Proton NMR
and IR spectrometry machines used extensively to characterize samples. Focus on
cyclopropenes. More extensive work in 2015 towards total synthesis of ACC
analogue; gained experience optimizing reactions/isolations and instructing new
lab mates on procedures (10 hrs/week average). Worked during summer of 2015
to optimize elimination reaction (cyclopropane-cyclopropene) using tetra-alkyl
ammonium salts with alcohol cocatalyst.
Research Assistant: Undergraduate Biology Research under Supervision of Dr.
Savka, Biology, Rochester Institute of Technology (Summer, 2012):
Worked with culturing bacterial strains and experimented with effect of bee
propolis on quorum sensing in C. violaceum. Aseptic technique was used and
practiced to prevent contamination of cultures and a lab notebook was kept to
maintain proper documentation and also written account of lab procedures. Minor
work with GFP transformation and visualization of cells under confocal. Stipend
received from/paid for by Honors Program.
Lab Intern: Biology Department, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester,
NY, 2008-2009: 60 hours total, completed after school; worked under the
supervision of biologist Dr. Dawn Carter. Responsibilities included systematic
cataloging and photographing of plants in greenhouse; identified and labeled 42
species. Gained experience with tissue culture by propagating various plants used
for research and by raising orchids from seed, a tedious process taking months.
Skills/Techniques Learned (through Lab Classes at RIT)
2015 (Summer) Bio-Separations
Intensive five-week course, taught by two professors:
1. First section involved bacteria – T-streak biosensor assay with C. violaceum to
detect N-AHL’s; extraction of N-AHL’s from liquid culture using Amberlite
XAD16 resin with subsequent reverse-phase TLC analysis; bioluminescence
assay using N-AHL biosensors containing luxCDABE sequence.

5. B. Merritt CV 5
2. Second section involved proteins, DNA – functional complementation with
transformation of plasmid (heat shock, electroporation) in E. coli (DH5α), gel
electrophoresis; (NH4)2SO4 purification of plant proteins with SDS-PAGE;
affinity purification of DapL protein using 6His-tag and affinity gel/SDS-PAGE .
2014 (Fall) Tissue Culture
Worked with glioma, PC12, b.END3, L1210, CHO cell lines. Techniques learned
include subculturing, with trypsin when relevant; cell counting/growth curve with
hemocytometer and trypan blue; hanging drop cultures; differential staining and
imaging with confocal; co-cultures; scale-up with micro-carrier beads;
freezing/unfreezing cells with DMSO; chick embryo dissection/organ cell culture.
2013 (Spring) Cellular and Molecular Biology
Techniques learned include gel electrophoresis; use of restriction enzymes;
transformation (heat shock) of pGLO gene into E. coli (MM294); DNA, RNA,
protein isolation of E. coli transformants; performed PCR on isolated DNA and
RT-PCR on isolated RNA; binding column used to isolate GFP.
2013 (Fall) Developmental Biology
Worked with and designed experiments using sea urchin larvae. Also practiced
ex-vivo/in-vivo chicken embryo studies, observing development over a couple
weeks. Later helped students as TA for class in 2014.
Advanced Classes
2015 (Spring) Graduate Special Topics Course: Catalytic Science and Technology
Acquired knowledge of the history of inorganic catalysis, with a focus on deriving
mechanisms/equations consistent with gas-adsorption on metal surfaces
(Langmuir, Eley-Rideal). A few mechanisms with zeolites were also considered.
There was finally a serious focus on carbon coupling reactions and the basic
mechanisms involved.
Additional Work Experience
2014 Undergraduate Teaching Experience (Fall semester), Rochester Institute of
Technology:
Professor H. Sweet at RIT proposed a laboratory teaching experience position to
me for 1 credit hour, which involved helping her during the labs for
Developmental Biology. I had completed the class 1 year prior and performed
well. I did not grade any materials for this lab. I came in twice a week (for
Tues./Thurs. sessions) for 1.5 hours. I helped students with sea urchin larvae as
well as in-/ex-vivo chick embryo development.
2013-14 TRiO Student Support Services – Paid tutoring in Chemistry and Biology

6. B. Merritt CV 6
2013 –Spring – I met with a couple students one on one who needed help in
chemistry, biology, or math. Usually 2 hours per week. Fall semester - I met with
students once per week for 2 hours to tutor either chemistry or biology.
2012-13 Plant Caretaker and Greenhouse Manager in Gosnell Building, College of
Science, Rochester Institute of Technology:
Job included watering all plants inside building once a week and other tasks such
as repotting, weeding, pruning, and overall aesthetic maintenance of plants (6-
9hrs/week).
Other Distinctions
2009 (July)
First Place: awarded for carnivorous plant exhibit at the Flower and Vegetable
Show, Monroe County Fair, Rochester, New York.
Second Place: awarded for general plant exhibit at the Flower and Vegetable
Show, Monroe County Fair, Rochester, New York.
2009 First Prize in Student Photography Contest, Brighton High School,
Rochester, New York.
2008 (July)
Best of Show: awarded for my pitcher plant (Nepenthes sanguinea) submission at
the Flower and Vegetable show, Monroe County Fair, Rochester, New York.
First Place: awarded for plant exhibit at the Flower and Vegetable Show, Monroe
County Fair, Rochester, New York.
2003 Certificate of Merit, Grade 1 Piano, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of
Music, London.
Student Leadership and Volunteer Work
2012-13, 2015 (Honors Program) Participant in Invasive Species Removal
20 hours of volunteer service each year. I participated in invasive species
removal at the Lamberton Conservatory in Rochester, NY for 20 hours each
summer, removing Norway Maples and other vigorous saplings.
2010 (August-October) Volunteer participant, Clean Sweep Program (~10 hours)
Cleaning up the Washington Grove by removing invasive species, organized
walking trails planting native plants.
2009-10 Member, Brighton Community Gardens:
Learning organic gardening; grew corn, hot peppers, cucumber, squash, and
watermelon from seed on assigned plot. In addition to weeding and watering, one

7. B. Merritt CV 7
challenge was to contain the growing snail population by use of copper (pennies)
and beer traps; and enhancing knowledge of seeding crop, plant growth, and
harvesting vegetables.
2009 Tutoring fellow students in math and sciences on an ad hoc basis.
2008 Volunteer, Islamic Community Center in Brighton (summer): assisted with
organizing the children’s library and youth activities.
International Experience
2011 Bremen, Germany, one-week exchange trip with a German family
Hosted by Brighton High School and German School
2010 Nürnberg and Berlin, Germany, four-week study trip; living with German
family and attending local German high school, June and July 2010.
2009 Grand Cayman Island, Brighton High School summer scuba diving trip, two-
week excursion.
References
1) Michael G. Coleman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
Rochester Institute of Technology
85 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
Office Phone: 585-475-5108
Email: mgcsch@rit.edu
2) Courtney A. Miller, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Metabolism and Aging
Department of Neuroscience
The Scripps Research Institute
130 Scripps Way
Jupiter, FL 33458
Office Phone: 561-228-2958
Email: cmiller@scripps.edu
3) André O. Hudson, Ph.D.

8. B. Merritt CV 8
Associate Professor
Gosnell School of Life Sciences
Rochester Institute of Technology
85 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
Office Phone: 585-475-4259
Fax: 585-475-5766
Email: aohsbi@rit.edu