John Benjamin Sciarra

"Author and former curator of husbandry and exhibits at the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, John Benjamin is a man of talents. His stories are intriguing and his love of the classroom has propelled him to teach about his experiences in success as the "D" student."

John Benjamin, Ghostwriter

John Benjamin Sciarra was born in New London, Connecticut where he attended New London High School graduating in 1967. He joined the United States Air Force and served as a Life Support Technician and Survival Specialist in the 27th FIS and 93rd FIS at Loring Air Force Base, Maine from 1968-1972. He also trained as a veterinary technician before being honorably discharged. John went on to become the Curator of Exhibits and Husbandry at the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut where he was employed for over 10 years training seals and sea lions. John designed exhibits and was well known for his gelatin formulation for marine fishes and invertebrates and his innovative aquarium designs utilizing fiberglass and epoxy composites. He published several articles in aquarium and exhibit design journals on these subjects. John formed several aquarium design companies over the years and built exhibits all over the United States and Hawaii. He sold his company in 1997 and went to work for Pfizer Global Research and Development in Groton, Connecticut where he is now employed as a Certified Laboratory Research Technologist.

John attended Mitchell College in New London while he was employed at the Mystic Aquarium and later graduated from Three Rivers Technical and Community College in Norwich with an Associate of Science degree. However, it was later that he attended UCONN Avery Point and rekindled his childhood dream of becoming a novelist. A course entitled, Literature of the Sea taught by Professor Stephen Jones, a noted author sparked John to write a story for his finals entitled “Noah’s Diary.” It was this short story that drove John to write his first novel. John is currently co-chair for the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association?South East and lectures at schools as his schedule allows. He has written a novel entitled, "Beachmaster", as well as a non-fiction book about his experiences training a dangerous 2000 pound sea lion called, "Samson The Steller Sea Lion?and friends", "Noah's Diary" (currently being rewritten under the title: "Mountain of Pain", and the award winning children series, "Shoestrings." John edits a column for the New Haven Register, has ghostwritten books and articles for other authors as well as freelance editing. He also freelances for several newspapers as a reporter.