Doctorate at Washington University School of Medicine | United States
Professional Profiles
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🎓 Educational Background
Dr. Benjamin A. Garcia boasts an impressive academic background that highlights his commitment to excellence in chemistry and biochemistry. He completed his NIH NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he also served as an Institute for Genomics Biology Fellow from 2005 to 2008, under the mentorship of Dr. Neil L. Kelleher. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry with High Distinction in 2005 as a Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow at the University of Virginia, where he worked closely with Dr. Donald F. Hunt on groundbreaking research. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Honors from UC Davis in 2000, mentored by Dr. Carlito B. Lebrilla, and an Associate Degree in Science from Cypress Community College in 1997.
đź’Ľ Professional PositionsÂ
Dr. Garcia has held prestigious academic and leadership roles throughout his career. He currently serves as the Raymond H. Wittcoff Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Washington University School of Medicine, a position he has held since 2021. In addition, he is the Associate Director of Shared Resources at the Siteman Cancer Center and the Director of the Chromatin and Epigenetics Special Interest Group, roles he assumed in 2023.
Previously, Dr. Garcia was the John McCrea Dickson M.D. Presidential Professor at the University of Pennsylvania (2018–2021), where he also served as Director of Quantitative Proteomics and a faculty member of the Epigenetics Institute. During his tenure at Princeton University (2008–2012), he made significant contributions as an Assistant Professor and core faculty member in the Quantitative and Computational Biology Program. His professional journey reflects his dedication to advancing research and education in biochemistry and molecular biophysics.
🏆 Honors and RecognitionÂ
Dr. Garcia’s contributions to science have earned him numerous accolades and recognition. In 2025, he received the ASBMB Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award, underscoring his efforts to foster inclusivity in research. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACSF) in 2024 and honored with the Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) Award for Outstanding Achievements in Mass Spectrometry the same year. Additionally, he was awarded the NSF Special Creativity Award in 2024 and profiled in the Atlas of Inspiring Hispanic/Latinx Scientists, further solidifying his role as a trailblazer in the scientific community. His distinguished career also includes delivering the NIH Director’s Lectureship in 2024.
🔬 Research InterestsÂ
Dr. Garcia’s research is at the forefront of mass spectrometry-based proteomic methodologies, focusing on the analysis of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) and their role in biological processes. His lab has pioneered high-throughput and quantitative analysis of epigenetic histone PTMs, providing invaluable insights into cancer pathogenesis, neurodegeneration, cell differentiation, and viral infections.
Some of his most significant contributions include the development of methods for rapid quantification of single-core histone PTMs and variants in a single analysis, innovative software for analyzing electron transfer dissociation data of multiply modified proteins, and the discovery of novel protein modifications. These advancements have revolutionized our understanding of the intricate roles of PTMs in health and disease.
🧬 Professional MembershipsÂ
Dr. Garcia’s involvement in numerous professional organizations reflects his leadership in the field of biochemistry. He is a Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is also an active member of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), where he holds lifetime membership. His commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering collaboration is evident through his active participation in these esteemed organizations.
Publications Top Notedđź“šÂ
PHF6 cooperates with SWI/SNF complexes to facilitate transcriptional progression
Authors: Mittal, P., Myers, J.A., Carter, R.D., Partridge, J.F., Roberts, C.W.M.
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2024
Two DOT1 enzymes cooperatively mediate efficient ubiquitin-independent histone H3 lysine 76 tri-methylation in kinetoplastids
Authors: Frisbie, V.S., Hashimoto, H., Xie, Y., Garcia, B.A., Debler, E.W.
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2024
Improved detection of DNA replication fork-associated proteins
Authors: Rivard, R.S., Chang, Y.-C., Ragland, R.L., Bielinsky, A.-K., Brown, E.J.
Journal: Cell Reports
Year: 2024
Histone butyrylation in the mouse intestine is mediated by the microbiota and associated with regulation of gene expression
Authors: Gates, L.A., Reis, B.S., Lund, P.J., Mucida, D., Allis, C.D.
Journal: Nature Metabolism
Year: 2024
TGF-β controls alveolar type 1 epithelial cell plasticity and alveolar matrisome gene transcription in mice
Authors: Callaway, D.A., Penkala, I.J., Zhou, S., Garcia, B.A., Morrisey, E.E.
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Year: 2024