Benjamin L. Miller

Benjamin L. Miller, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD), holding joint appointments in Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, and the Institute for Optics (RC). His research focuses on biomolecular interactions, combining small-molecule probe synthesis with advanced optical sensing technologies. He leads projects in RNA recognition, photonic biosensors, and tissue-on-chip systems. Miller has pioneered Arrayed Imaging Reflectometry (AIR) and Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry (DCC), with over 147 journal articles and 49 patents. Awards include Fellowships from the National Academy of Inventors, Optica, AAAS, and AIMBE.

Education: PhD in Organic Chemistry from Stanford University (1994); BS in Chemistry, Mathematics, and German from Miami University (1988). Postdoctoral training at Harvard University under Stuart L. Schreiber.

Research spans RNA-binding molecules, viral detection, and engineered biosensors. Key projects include ultrasensitive virus sensors, tendon-on-a-chip models, and photonic crystal technologies. He advises graduate students in Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, and Toxicology, with a lab team of ~15 members.

Notable achievements include NIH-funded tissue-chip centers, BARDA contracts for neuroinflammation modeling, and collaborations across disciplines to advance point-of-care diagnostics. His lab integrates photonics with microphysiological systems for real-time disease monitoring.