Ryan Penhallurick
When science is your middle name.
Ryan has always had a deep interest in the science and mathematics that describe how the universe functions. His love for science led him to Boston College with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. As a fourth year Ph.D. candidate at Georgetown University, he currently studies the biophysics behind extremophilic adaptations to cold and hot deep-sea environments.
Degree
Ph.D. Candidate, Georgetown University; Biophysical Chemistry
B.S., Boston College; Major in Chemistry; Minor in Biology
Research
Biophysical adaptations within enzymes of deep-sea cold-adapted and hot-adapted extremophilic organisms. The results of these studies are shedding light on the limits and origins of life, as well as guiding practices of high-pressure sterilization (pascalization) and astrobiological explorations of possibly habitable worlds.
Teaching
While at Boston College, Ryan worked on developing new experiments for first- and second-year undergraduate students. During this time Ryan also developed and taught hands-on learning workshops in biology, chemistry and quantum mechanics for Cogitania.
Ryan has taught organic and physical chemistry at Georgetown University during his graduate studies. He has also been a private tutor in chemistry, physics and biology for seven years.
Passion
By fusing expertise in teaching, hands-on chemistry learning and research, Ryan has illuminated students at Cogitania about the chemical world and how this knowledge leads scientists to real-world applications of chemistry and biology.