Mar 14, 2005 -- Atlanta native Benjamin Lefkove, a senior at Yeshiva College at Yeshiva University in New York City, was listed as co-author of a paper in the December 2004 issue of Journals of Biological Chemistry for research he conducted last summer at Emory University. Mr. Lefkove researched tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disease that causes benign and malignant tumors on the brain and in other vital organs, under Jack L. Arbiser, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at Emory University School of Medicine. The paper is titled “Transgenic expression of dominant negative tuberin through a strong constitutive promoter results in a tissue-specific tuberous sclerosis phenotype in the skin and brain.” In the lab, his research focused primarily on finding a novel treatment for melanoma. “To me, research embodies the ideals of a doctor: to use all of one’s given potential to heal and better the world,” said Mr. Lefkove, who began doing research at Emory in the summer of 2003. “Seeing my name in print is a trophy of accomplishment and a sense that I have aided in a new understanding and furthering of scientific progress.” After graduation, Mr. Lefkove plans to continue doing research at Emory, to pursue a master’s degree in either biology or biochemistry, and to attend medical school. He will also hike the Appalachian Trail, of which he has already completed 100 miles. He is the son of Felice and Michael Lefkove.