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.

Ryan ↓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.His research in Theoretical and Computational Physical Chemistry, has led to investigating the fragilities of glass caused by supercooling liquids, ion atmosphere effects of RNA folding and function, and the biophysical basis for the evolution of endothermy in mammals, for which he has been awarded three Undergraduate Research Fellowships.His work with the Undergraduate Teaching Labs at Boston College focuses on developing new experiments for first and second year undergraduates as well as private tutoring.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.
 

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.