From AP Bio to Biotech

When Ben Miller walked back onto the Sage Ridge campus, he immediately noticed how much had changed. “It’s a little surreal,” he laughed. “The new gym was just starting construction when I graduated. Seeing it finished now is wild.”

Ben, a member of the Class of 2021, returned not just as an alum but as a scientist, a University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) graduate, a teaching assistant, and a professional working in medical technology. He spent the morning teaching an Upper School anatomy class about the endocrine system, giving students a firsthand look at how a Sage Ridge education can launch a meaningful career in STEM.

A Foundation Built on Rigor and Teachers Who Saw His Potential

Ben’s passion for math and science took root early, but he credits Sage Ridge for sharpening those interests into something deeper. “My Biology teacher, Dr. Roth really understood his students,” he said. “He pushed me in the right ways.”

English classes played an equally important role. “I became a much stronger writer at Sage Ridge. When I got to UNR, the writing expectations felt familiar. I didn’t experience the big jump in difficulty a lot of my peers did.”

Such academic confidence became one of the clearest indicators of Sage Ridge’s impact. “If I had stayed at Galena, I think I would have struggled a lot more,” he admitted. “Here, I learned how to break down assignments and tackle them.”

Senior Thesis: A Defining Sage Ridge Experience

Like every Sage Ridge senior, Ben completed a year‑long thesis, a capstone challenging students to research, write and defend a topic of their choosing. Ben’s work explored the ethics of brain–computer interfaces.

“None of my peers at UNR had gone through anything like that level of rigor,” he said. “Defending the thesis was especially unique. It made college presentations and research projects feel much more manageable.”

This is the heart of the Sage Ridge senior experience: authentic academic challenge that prepares students for the independence and expectations of university life.

Teaching Today’s Students: ‘They Want to Be Here’

During his Sage Ridge return visit, Ben taught an anatomy lesson to current Upper School students — a full‑circle moment, since he took the same course as a Sage Ridge Scorpion.

“The students are genuinely engaged,” he said. “They want to be in the room. They ask thoughtful questions and stay curious. It’s honestly a pleasure to teach them.”

As a teaching assistant for UNR’s anatomy lab, Ben sees firsthand how college students learn and he noted the similarities. “Sage Ridge students are already thinking at a high level. They’re prepared for college and what comes after.”

A Career in Medical Technology and a Future in R&D

Ben currently works at Oxbiomed, a company specializing in skin substitutes and medical products supporting healing, especially for older patients. As the only engineer on the operations and logistics team, he brings a deeper understanding of how the products work.

“At the end of the day, the work helps people and that’s what matters,” he said. “I’m also learning how to apply my academic skills to the world of business, particularly in sales, which is a universal skill. My long‑term goal is to move into R&D, and this role is helping me build a solid foundation.”

He also continues to teach, leading a weekly anatomy lab at UNR, a role that blends his love of science with his desire to help others learn.

A Lifelong Learner — and a Proud Alum

Ben shared one more fun fact: he’s a pianist, and performing at graduation remains one of his favorite Sage Ridge memories. But what he misses most is the learning environment.

“Sage Ridge turned me into a lifelong learner,” he said. “That’s something I carry with me every day.”