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Benjamín J. Sánchez

Senior Scientist

Novonesis

Hi! I’m Ben

I’m a computational biologist, passionate about understanding biology using math and computers. I’m currently located in Copenhagen, Denmark, working as a scientist in Novonesis. Nice to meet you!

Interests

  • Comparative Genomics
  • Metabolic Modeling
  • Software Development
  • Running
  • Climbing
  • Improv Theater
  • Table-top RPG’s

Education

  • PhD in Systems Biology, 2019

    Chalmers University of Technology

  • MSc in Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, 2014

    Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

  • BSc in Biotechnology Engineering, 2012

    Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Publications

High-throughput generation and comparison of genome-scale metabolic models reveal strain-specific metabolic diversity in 439 Lactococcus strains

A method for creating strain-specific genome-scale models of lactic acid bacteria
PDF Dataset DOI

Mechanistic modeling of the dynamics of phage attack during milk acidification in the cheese-making process

Modeling the phage-host interaction in milk
PDF Dataset DOI

Yeast9: a consensus genome-scale metabolic model for S. cerevisiae curated by the community

New version of the consensus metabolic model of yeast
PDF Code Dataset DOI

CRI-SPA: a high-throughput method for systematic genetic editing of yeast libraries

A highly efficient, reproducible and scalable genome editing method
PDF Code Dataset DOI

From genotype to phenotype: computational approaches for inferring microbial traits relevant to the food industry

A review of knowledge and data-driven computational approaches used in biotech
PDF DOI
See all publications

Posts

map-runs: overlaying Runkeeper runs on a single map

A simple python tool for combining GPS files in HTML
Last updated on 2026-10-26 4 min read

Applying for unemployment money in Sweden

A step-by-step guide tailored to international researchers
Last updated on 2026-10-26 6 min read

Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Senior Research Scientist

Novonesis

Feb 2024 – Present Hørsholm, Denmark
  • Studying microbial diversity and its application in the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries
  • Working at the computational microbiology department
 
 
 
 
 

Research Scientist

Chr. Hansen

Mar 2021 – Jan 2024 Hørsholm, Denmark
  • Studying microbial diversity and its application in the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries
  • Working at the bioinformatics and modeling department
 
 
 
 
 

Postdoctoral Researcher

Technical University of Denmark

Oct 2019 – Feb 2021 Lyngby, Denmark
 
 
 
 
 

PhD in Systems Biology

Chalmers University of Technology

Oct 2014 – Mar 2019 Gothenburg, Sweden
 
 
 
 
 

Project Manager

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Feb 2014 – Sep 2014 Santiago, Chile
  • Role: Leading and coordinating laboratory and field activities
  • Project between the university and winemaking industries: “Management of REDOX potential in the wine elaboration chain and its impact on quality”
  • Main supervisor: Prof. Eduardo Agosin
 
 
 
 
 

Modeler and R&D Supervisor

Biofiltro S.P.A.

Jan 2013 – Dec 2013 Santiago, Chile
  • Role: Optimizing an earthworm filter for wastewater treatment
  • Duties: Prototype development, mathematical modeling, experimental measurements, field supervision
  • Part-time job
  • Main supervisor: Matías Sjögren (CEO)
 
 
 
 
 

MSc in Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Mar 2012 – Jan 2014 Santiago, Chile
 
 
 
 
 

BSc in Engineering

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Mar 2007 – Jul 2012 Santiago, Chile
  • Teacher assistant in Calculus I, Calculus II, Thermodynamics, Transport Phenomena, Microbial Biotechnology and Chemical Process Design.
  • Co-designer of the biological engineering major (2011)
  • University delegate in the Chilean association of biotechnology engineering students (2011-2012)
  • Research coordinator in the university chapter of AIChE (2012)

Skills

Programming languages

Python, R, Bash, Matlab

Mathematical modeling

Stoichiometric models, kinetic models, network analysis, statistical modeling

Software development

Version control, continuous integration, containers, app development

Analysis of big data

Comparative genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, kinetomics

Lab experience

Fermentation science, HPLC, cellular biology

Spoken languages

English (full proficiency), Danish (intermediate), Swedish (basic), Spanish (native speaker)

Scientific presentations

Poster Oral presentation Invited speaker

Accomplish­ments

PhD Scholarship CONICYT #6222 / 2014

CONICYT Oct 2014
Scholarship awarded by the government of Chile

MSc Scholarship CONICYT #221320015

CONICYT Apr 2013
Scholarship awarded by the government of Chile

“Dow Chemical” MSc award

Dow Chemical Chile S.A. Apr 2013
Awarded yearly to one student of the Msc program

Engineering Teacher Assistant Award

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Nov 2011
Awarded yearly to a selection of TAs recognized by both students and teachers

Contact