Engineering Engineer
Resume:
Robert Joseph Bender
**** **** **** ** *********, MD 20855
******.**@*****.***
EDUCATION
**** **.*. ** ********** Engineering
(expected) The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Thesis: “Genomic Data-Based Models of Growth Factor Signaling for Personalized Cancer
Therapy Selection”
2010 M.S. in Biotechnology
The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Thesis: “Effects of Amyloid Beta Fibrils and Aggregation Intermediates on Giant Unilamellar
Vesicles”
2006 B.S. in Chemical Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cum Laude Graduate
Certificate in Biological Engineering
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2010-present Ph.D. Candidate, The Johns Hopkins University
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Computational Medicine
Advisor: Dr. Feilim Mac Gabhann
Research: Computational modeling of growth factor signaling pathways related to angiogenesis.
In vitro validation of computational models in endothelial cell lines. Use of patient-specific
microarray data to predict activity of vascular endothelial growth factor pathway in tumors and
response to therapy.
2009-2010 Masters Student, The Johns Hopkins University
Thesis research conducted in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland
Advisor: Dr. Sameer Shah
Research: Synthesized giant unilamellar vesicles and studied the effects of adverse osmotic
environments on the mechanical properties of their membranes. Utilized giant unilamellar
vesicles as model cell membranes to determine the impact that amyloid beta-peptide monomers,
oligomers, and fibrils have in Alzheimer’s disease. Developed a method for detecting the
membranes of vesicles using the Matlab Image Processing Toolbox.
2005-2006 Undergraduate Researcher, University of Maryland
Department of Chemical Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Srinivasa Raghavan
Research: Prepared various self-assembled structures, including lipid/fatty acid vesicles,
nanocapsules, and gels. Performed experiments to determine the release kinetics of small
molecules from self-assembled systems. Studied the applicability of these systems for drug
delivery and controlled release.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2006-2010 Bioprocess Engineer, Human Genome Sciences, Inc, Rockville, MD
Department of Fermentation and Cell Culture Sciences
Responsibilities: Developed microbial and mammalian cell culture processes for production of
recombinant proteins. Performed process characterization and validation studies to support
regulatory filings. Statistically designed experiments, using approaches that included full and
partial factorial and response surface methodology. Developed harvest and recovery processes,
including continuous centrifugation, depth filtration, and tangential flow filtration. Participated
in technical transfers of cell culture and recovery processes to manufacturing facilities. Provided
on-site support to GMP manufacturing campaigns. Modeled mixing conditions in bioreactors
using computational fluid dynamics. Attended professional conferences.
PUBLICATIONS
Bender RJ and Mac Gabhann F. “Dysregulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor and
semaphorin ligand-receptor families in prostate cancer metastasis.” Under review.
Bender RJ and Mac Gabhann F. “Expression of VEGF and semaphorin genes defines subgroups
of triple-negative breast cancer.” ˆPLoS One 8(5): e61788 (2013).
PRESENTATIONS
Hosseini I, Bender RJ, and Mac Gabhann F. “Identification of gene biomarkers for anti-cancer
drugs using parallel PLS-based models.” Poster presented at the 18th Annual International
Conference on Research in Computational Molecular Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, April 3, 2014.
Bender RJ and Mac Gabhann F. “VEGF and semaphorin expression in breast cancer: harnessing
high-throughput data for improved targeting of angiogenesis.” Presentation at the Biomedical
Engineering Society (BMES) 2012 Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, October 26, 2012.
Bender RJ and Mac Gabhann F. “VEGF and semaphorin expression in breast cancer: defining
anti-angiogenesis treatment subgroups.” Poster presented at the Johns Hopkins 6th Annual Nano-
Bio Symposium, Baltimore, MD, May 4, 2012.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Fall 2012 TA for EN.580.429 Systems Bioengineering III
Spring 2013 TA for EN.580.200 Introduction to Scientific Computing in BME using Python, Matlab, and R
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Programming: R; Python; Fortran; Matlab; Perl; SQL; Matlab; Fluent (computational fluid dynamics); JMP
(statistical analysis)
Cell Culture: Mammalian suspension cell culture, including NS0 and CHO cell lines; yeast (S. cerevisiae);
adherent cell lines (HUVEC/HMVECs)
Biochemistry: Immunoassays (Western blots, ELISA, immunoprecipitation); HPLC; RT-PCR; UV Vis
spectrophotometry; dynamic light scattering; fluorescence microscopy
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