Marcos J. Ramos Benitez, Ph.D.
About Marcos J. Ramos Benitez, Ph.D.
Marcos J. Ramos Benitez, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the National Institute of General Medicine and a fellow at the NIH Clinical Center, focusing on emerging viral infections. He is also the founder of Ciencia en tus Manos, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting science education among Hispanics.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Marcos J. Ramos Benitez, Ph.D., serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRAT) Fellow at the National Institute of General Medicine within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He has been in this role since 2020, contributing to research efforts in Bethesda, Maryland. His work focuses on understanding the molecular pathogenesis and pathophysiology of severe emerging viral infections, including Ebola and COVID-19. Additionally, he has been involved with the NIH Clinical Center as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Emergent Pathogens Section since 2019.
Education and Expertise
Ramos Benitez completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences at the Universidad de Puerto Rico from 2010 to 2014. He then pursued advanced studies at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Microbiology and Immunology from 2014 to 2018. His academic background provides a strong foundation for his research in viral infections and molecular biology.
Background in Academia
Before his current role at NIH, Ramos Benitez held several academic positions. He worked as a Graduate Student Researcher at the University of California, Davis for two months in 2018. He also served as a Professor at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico-Metropolitan Campus, teaching Parasitology and Molecular Biology techniques from 2016 to 2017. Additionally, he was a Professor of Recombinant DNA Technology at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón for nine months during the same period.
Non-Profit Leadership
Ramos Benitez is the founder and president of Ciencia en tus Manos, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting science and STEM education among Hispanic communities through social media platforms. This initiative reflects his commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and accessibility in the field of science.
Current Research Initiatives
In addition to his role at NIH, Ramos Benitez has been involved with the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Program at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine since 2016. This program aims to enhance the research capabilities of underrepresented students in the sciences, further demonstrating his dedication to education and research in the scientific community.