Dr. Ben Black

Biography

Ben E. Black is the Eldridge Reeves Johnson Foundation Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on understanding the critical roles of particular proteins involved in accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis, with a specific emphasis on the centromere—a chromosomal element directing this process. His work combines biophysical, biochemical, genetic, and cell biological approaches to define the composition and characteristics of protein/DNA complexes and epigenetic marks at the centromere. He is actively involved in developing technologies for synthetic chromosomes, which have implications for both research and therapeutic applications. Recently, his lab has also been exploring the enzyme PARP-1, contributing to the design of next-generation clinical PARP inhibitors that have therapeutic potential in cancer treatment and other diseases. Black has authored numerous publications in high-impact journals, contributing significantly to the fields of biochemistry and genetics. He completed his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Virginia and has extensive postdoctoral training in cancer research.

Research Interests

Experience