Benjamin C. Stark, Ph.D.
Professor of BiologyAssociate Chair for Biology
BCPS/Biology Division
Office: 182 Life Sciences Building
Office Hours:
Phone: 312.567.3488
Fax: 312.567.3494
Email:
benjamin.stark@iit.edu
Web:
Expertise
- molecular biology, microbiology
Education
- B.S., Univ. of Michigan, 1971
- M.Ph., Yale University, 1974
- Ph.D., Yale University, 1977
Curriculum Vitae
Research & Major Accomplishments
Discovery of the first RNA known to be enzymatic; discovery of enhancement of productivity of recombinant organisms engineered to express the bacterial hemoglobin gene
Recently finished my 20th marathon
Current Projects
- Investigation of functions of bacterial hemoglobin in genetically engineered bacteria;
- Engineering of useful bacteria using bacterial hemoglobin to improve growth and productivity
Awards/Honors
- 1968 William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize, Univ. of Michigan
- 1969,70,71 James B. Angell Scholar, Univ. of Michigan
- 1970 Phi Beta Kappa, Univ. of Michigan
- 1971 Bachelor of Science Degree with high distinction and highest honors in Cellular Biology,
- 1971 The Phi Sigma Award in Biology, Univ. of Michigan
- 1971-74 National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship
- 1977-78 National Science Foundation Energy-related Postdoctoral Fellowship
- 1988 Lewis College (IIT) Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award; Lewis College (IIT)
- 1996 William C. Staszak award, Oak Park Education Foundation, Oak Park, IL
- 1999 Person of the Millennium, IIT Millennium Project
Patents
Books
Selected Publications
Kennett, C. A., and B. Stark, “Automated ribotyping for the identification and characterization of food-borne Clostridia,” J. Food Protection 69, 2970-2975 (2006).
Chung, Y. T., B. C. Stark, and D. A. Webster, “Role of Asp544 in subunit I for Na+ pumping by Vitreoscilla cytochrome bo,” Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 348, 1209-1214 (2006).
Urgun-Demirtas, M., B. Stark, and K. Pagilla, “Use of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms (GEMs) for the Bioremediation of Contaminants,” Critical Rev. Biotechnol. 26, 145-164 (2006).
Urgun-Demirtas, M., K. R. Pagilla, and B. C. Stark, “Comparison of 2-chlorobenzoic acid biodegradation in a membrane bioreactor by B. cepacia and B. cepacia bearing the bacterial hemoglobin gene,” Water Research 40, 3123-3130 (2006).
Chi, P., D. A. Webster, and B. C. Stark, “Vitreoscilla hemoglobin aids respiration under hypoxic conditions in its native host,” Microbiol. Research (in press).
Dogan, I., K. R. Pagilla, D. A. Webster, and B. C. Stark, “Expression of Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin in Gordonia amarae Enhances Biosurfactant Production,” J. Indust. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 33, 693-700 (2006).
