Ben is a Health Research Associate for the Bridgeport Department of Health and Social Services. He analyzes data and conducts research on health-related trends in Bridgeport. Ben received his master’s degree (M.A.) in psychology with a certificate in data science from Rutgers University; he received his bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in psychology with a minor in music performance from SUNY Oneonta. He has been involved on a variety of studies with topics ranging from infectious disease to the psychology of extremism. His thesis research at Rutgers University involved studying the structure of strongly held beliefs by looking at peoples’ beliefs about the candidates in the 2020 US presidential election. He also participated on a variety of public-health research projects while working at the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs. These projects ranged from tracking trends in the spread of COVID-19 throughout New Jersey to conducting a health needs assessment of the residents of Salem County, New Jersey.