Image: Alumnus Christopher Benson (BS, 2017) is now working as a Research Technician in the Genomic Medicine Institute within the Lerner Research Institute on the Main Campus of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. The Genomic Medicine Institue (GMI) core is composed of several research laboratories including clinical components such as the Genomics Core, Genomic Medicine Biorepository (GMB), and the Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare. The GMB is a full service processing and banking unit that services the GMI, the Cleveland Clinic, and outside collaborators. As a technician in the GMB, Chris is responsible for processing various biomaterials that are collected from patients in various studies dealing with cancer, brain health, and other diseases/disorders. Processing samples involves using standardized lab techniques to isolate plasma and serum from blood samples or collect cells from urine and oral rinse samples. Also, Chris is responsible for initiating Lymphblastoid cell lines and whole blood cell counts from additional blood samples taken from each patient. Because the GMB is responsible for over 10,000 patient samples, another part of his job is making sure that the database is consistently updated and that necessary information is shared with each of their collaborators. However, this is a small scope of Chris's role in the GMB because they are constantly collaborating with new research groups along with testing new protocols and equipment. Way to go, Chris! Thanks for the update!
