Ben Frigo-Vaz

Graduate Research Assistant/Lab Manager from 2013-2021

Education

Master of Science in Bioproducts & Agriculture Engineering

University of Minnesota - St. Paul, Minnesota, April 2011

  • Two years of laboratory work, singlehandedly growing and experimented on Master thesis on “Enzyme Assisted Extraction of Lipids from Algae”
  • Operated and utilized GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC, MALTI-TOF, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fluorescent Microscopy.
  • Assisted teaching two classes: BBE 4401 and 5713 Bioproducts Engineering and Materials Processing. Made homework and test problems, correct homework and tests, generated lecture slides and teaching activities and taught some lectures.

Bachelor of Science

St. Cloud State University - St. Cloud, Minnesota, December 2007

  • Dual major in Biotechnology and Biochemistry.
  • Receive and $4000 internal grant for research into fluorescent lifetime profiling in DNA sequence.
  • Completed and presented Bachelors thesis on the use of lipase enzyme for biodiesel production.

Employment

Research & Teaching Assistant (2013-2021)

University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN

Maintained and repaired laboratory equipment, specifically GC and HPLC. Ordering of materials, chemical waste managment and lab safety. Yearly publications and assistant of graduate students in their research and academic progress. Teaching of MT3141 (Bionanontechnology) and Teaching assitant for BBE 4713 (Bioprocessing Engineering).

Peace Corps Volunteer (2011-2013)

Peace Corps Zambia

Taught rural farmers in Zambia sustainable agriculture and energy practices, aquaculture and business. Trained and oversaw surveyors for the IAPRI Rural Agriculture Livelihood Survey of 2012. Survayed aquaculture ponds and yeilds from Goverment of Zambia.

Paid Internship (2007 - 2008)

University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN

Researched the use of lipase enzyme for biodiesel production at the nanobiotechnology lab of the Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department at the University of Minnesota.

Research Project (2002 - 2005)

St. Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN

Researched the use of fluorescent lifetime profiling in DNA sequencing and presented the data to local colloquiums. Continued research from in silico to in vitro under a university-awarded research grant.

Computer Assembly and Repair Technician (2001 - 2008)

iO Engineering, Inc Rogers,MN

Repaired and assembled computers for clients and associates, soldered electronic boards and other tasks.

Ben Frigo-Vaz
Ben in Zambia Africa

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