Benjamin Yakubov

• Worked directly with Brian Sweis, MD, PhD.
• Studied mouse behavior with a focus on differences in learning patterns between how males and females made complex decisions on a neuroeconomic foraging task.
• Introduced a depressive gene discovered in humans via a viral vector.
• Assisted with a project involved in characterizing the effects of non-coding RNAs implicated in promoting resilience to stress in a brain region- and sex-specific manner.
• Assisted in data collection daily across months in a longitudinal behavioral experiment.
• Learned and assisted with in vivo calcium imaging experiments using Miniscopes to record single-unit activity from large populations of neurons in the hippocampus while mice perform decision-making tasks.
• Assisted with other various lab procedures, including tissue dissection and harvesting (brain, blood, muscle, adipose tissue), tail vein blood glucose monitoring, and estrus staging in females via vaginal lavage.
• Conducted behavioral testing on genetically modified CD1 and Swiss Webster mice, including models carrying the Shank3 mutation and DREADD-engineered mice.
• Assisted in chemogenetic modulation experiments involving intraperitoneal CNO injections and fiber photometry to monitor neural activity in vivo.
• Assisted with optic fiber implantation surgeries and post-operative monitoring in mice.
• Acquired technical skills such as mouse scruffing, CNO preparation, and injection handling.

Managed and maintained all official Brooklyn Public Library social media accounts, regularly posting and engaging with community content.

Created and uploaded original digital content to promote library programs, events, and services, leading to increased community engagement and library attendance.

• Monitored social media analytics to adjust strategy and boost reach and interaction.
• Greeted and assisted patrons at the entrance, providing information and helping with library card registration at self-service kiosks.
• Supported circulation staff by shelving books, assisting with checkouts, and answering general inquiries.
• Repaired and maintained public-use technology such as desktop computers and printers.
• Led children’s reading groups and facilitated arts and crafts sessions to promote early literacy and creativity.
• Took on flexible roles as needed to support overall library operations and enhance visitor experience.