Ben hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Tufts University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics and Peace & Justice Studies.  After graduation, he was a government relations associate for universities and national laboratories at Lewis-Burke Associates in Washington, DC.  At Lewis-Burke, he drew on his background in science and policy to help clients work with the federal government in engineering, the physical sciences and smart cities, with a focus on the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and National Institute of Standards and Technology.  His interests include the uses of science and technology in pursuit of social justice and community-driven goals.