After completing her Bachelor of Science in Toxicology with two minors in Spanish and Chemistry in 2016, Benedette continued her studies to complete her Master of Science in Toxicology in May of 2018.
During graduate school, Benedette investigated the dermatotoxicity of mechlorethamine and bendamustine; two nitrogen mustard alkylating agents that are used in anticancer therapy.
Despite the useful chemotherapeutic properties of these agents, both mechlorethamine and bendamustine, following intravenous administration, are associated with causing extravasation and tissue blistering reactions that can lead to a secondary infection.
Benedette’s graduate work investigated both the time and dose-dependent toxicity of these agents using an in vivo murine model. During this time, Benedette also assisted her colleague in the investigation of several antidotes that were found to be successful in mediating nitrogen mustard dermatotoxicity in this animal model.
Currently, Benedette is conducting research in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale University, where she is investigating the use of select autoantibodies in the treatment of cancer.
Some of Benedette’s research work that has recently been published in scientific journals include:
- Cuffari, B., Tumu, H., Pino, M. A., Billack, B. (2018). Assessing the time-dependent dermatotoxicity of mechlorethamine using the mouse ear vesicant model. Interdisciplinary Toxicology. (Under review).
- Tumu, H., Cuffari, B., Pino, M. A., Pietka-Ottlik, M., Billack, B. (2018). Ebselen oxide attenuates mechlorethamine dermatotoxicity in the mouse ear vesicant model. Drug and Chemical Toxicology. DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2018.1488858.
In addition to her research experience, Benedette is also very passionate about both community service and medicine. For three consecutive years, Benedette traveled to Panama and Honduras with an organization called Global Medical Brigades to provide primary health care services to various small, underserved, and rural communities in these countries. She also spent a considerable amount of time shadowing physicians at St. Agnes Hospital and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Benedette is currently volunteering as a Wish Granter with the Connecticut branch of the Make a Wish Foundation, where she meets with wish kids and their families to help children determine their wish.
Benedette has been a scientific writer for AZoNetwork since June 2015. Benedette has written on a wide range of scientific topics ranging from medicine, toxicology, nanotechnology, materials science, sensor technology, clean technology, and much more. In addition to writing, Benedette has also remained an active content editor for various pieces on AZoNetwork’s sites.