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Ben

Status: PhD Candidate finishing Fall 2026

Currently seeking roles in Machine Learning, Analytical Chemistry/R&D, or Biotech.

I am a final-year Analytical Chemistry PhD student at Iowa State University, advised by Prof. Robbyn Anand in the Anand group.

My work sits at the intersection of wet-lab chemistry and artificial intelligence. As an interdisciplinary researcher, I design and deploy machine learning and computer vision pipelines to analyze single-cell data, automate microfluidic workflows, and build advanced platforms for cancer detection. I am deeply passionate about leveraging ML to accelerate scientific discovery, automate complex analyses, and extract meaningful insights from intricate biological data.

Before starting my graduate work, I obtained a B.A. in ACS Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Concordia College, where I focused on analytical instrumentation and GC/MS method development.

Outside the lab, I channel my curiosity into building personal software tools, designing for the web, and exploring DIY maker projects.

If you would like to connect, feel free to reach out via email or on LinkedIn.

Skills & Technologies

Data Science & ML

  • Deep learning
  • Computer vision pipelines
  • Image segmentation
  • Predictive modeling

Instrumentation & R&D

  • Cleanroom microfabrication
  • Photolithography
  • Microfluidics & design
  • Hardware-software automation

Analytical Chemistry

  • Single-cell assay design
  • Electrochemistry
  • Quantitative method validation
  • Data analysis

Publications

Publication Thumbnail
Marker-Free Classification of Melanoma Cells by Machine Learning Following Their Isolation From Peripheral Blood by Dielectrophoresis
Benjamin Schelske, Brittany Ginnaty, Han Chen, Josué Rodriguez, Robbyn Anand
ChemRxiv 2025
Publication Thumbnail
Evaluation of Single-Cell Heterogeneity and Invasive Potential in Cancer Cells via Secreted Protease Activity Assay
Benjamin Schelske, Ethan Leung, Joseph Banovetz, Jared Anderson, Robbyn K Anand
Analytica Chimica Acta 2025
Publication Thumbnail
Parallel Dielectrophoretic Capture, Isolation, and Electrical Lysis of Individual Breast Cancer Cells to Assess Variability in Enzymatic Activity
Joseph T Banovetz, Sivani Manimaran, Benjamin Schelske, Robbyn K Anand
Analytical Chemistry 2023

News

  • Jun 2026 Gave an oral presentation at the Dielectrophoresis 2026 conference.

  • Apr 2026 Received Frank J. Moore and Thoreen Beth Moore Fellowship

  • Dec 2025 First paper as first author published as journal cover in Analytica Chimica Acta

  • Apr 2025 Received the Mary K. and Velmer A. Fassel Analytical Chemistry Fellowship

  • Aug 2024 Gave a talk at the ACS Fall National Conference Rising Stars in Analytical Chemistry special session

  • Apr 2024 Competed in the final round of the Cotton-Uphaus Oral Presentation Competition

  • May 2023 Received the Iowa State University Teaching Excellence Award

  • May 2023 Paper accepted in Analytical Chemistry

Awards

  • 2026 Dielectrophoresis Society Travel Award

  • 2026 Frank J. Moore and Thoreen Beth Moore Fellowship

  • 2025 Mary K. and Velmer A. Fassel Analytical Chemistry Fellowship

  • 2024 Cotton-Uphaus Oral Finalist

  • 2024 Fassel Travel Award

  • 2023 Iowa State University Teaching Excellence Award

  • 2022 Graduate and Professional Student Senate Professional Advancement Grant

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