Dr. Ben Black

Professor

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Biography

Ben E. Black, Ph.D. is the Eldridge Reeves Johnson Foundation Professor in the Biochemistry Biophysics Department at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on understanding the centromere, a crucial chromosomal element that directs the accurate segregation of chromosomes during cell division processes such as mitosis and meiosis. His lab employs a range of biophysical, biochemical, genetic, and epigenomic approaches to dissect the composition and physical properties of protein-DNA complexes within the centromere. Recently, his work has also advanced to explore the PARP-1 enzyme, a key player in DNA damage signaling and a significant clinical target for small molecule inhibition. He has discovered various allosteric networks activating PARP-1 upon DNA break binding and is involved in developing designer PARP inhibitors with tuned effects for potential cancer therapies and neuroinflammatory diseases. Black has contributed extensively to the field through various publications and collaborations, looking to advance technologies in building synthetic chromosomes for research and medical applications.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of Pennsylvania

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.6
GRE General
Verbal
Required:162
Quantitative
Required:162
Overall
Required:162
GMAT
Total Score
Required:728
Overall
Required:728
TOEFL
Total
Required:115
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong quantitative background
Application Checklist
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation (2-3)
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Essays
Specialization Notes

Wharton Doctoral programs cover fields like Finance, Marketing, Management, and Operations, Information and Decisions.