Ben Maldonato conducted his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia where he obtained a B.Sc. in Chemistry.  He participated in undergraduate research with Dr. Creutz at UVA and in the Totah lab as an Amgen Scholar.  After graduation, he joined the UW Department of Medicinal Chemistry to learn about drug metabolism.  He officially joined the Totah lab in the Spring of 2014.  His thesis work focused on the identification and characterization of the enzyme(s) responsible for alkyl thiol methylation in humans.  During his time in the Totah lab, he also mentored several undergraduate students and upcoming scientists.  He graduated in May 2020 and currently works at Rigel Pharmaceuticals where he supports drug development and research efforts via bioanalysis of PK studies and measuring physicochemical properties of lead compounds.