Ryan Palmatier
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Knowledgeable and driven Biologist with demonstrated expertise in conducting research, analyzing data, and contributing to scientific publications. Proven ability in laboratory settings, showcasing skills in problem-solving and critical thinking.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
New Student Orientation Advising Assistant
The Pennsylvania State University
05.2024 - Current
- Advises approximately 300 incoming students at New Student Orientation (NSO) for the biology department about the biology major, STEM learning, undergraduate research, and other opportunities at Penn State over the Summer.
- Aids with navigating the LionPath/Starfish/Canvas platforms and with enrolling in their first Summer and Fall semester courses.
- Greets and leads students to their NSO department meeting and welcomes them to the university.
- Guides a diverse population of students such as athletes, honors students, ROTC/military members, and various scholarship recipients.
Research Assistant – Huck Institute of the Life Sciences: Neuroscience Division
The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
08.2023 - Current
- Generates and analyzes plasmid DNA and RNA constructs, patch-clamp recording solutions, buffers, oocyte culture solutions, and data from molecular dynamics simulations. Analyzes and interprets patch-clamp recordings, molecular dynamics simulation results, and gel electrophoresis results. Prepares and injects X. laevis oocytes with RNA to be used in patch-clamp experiments. Trains new assistants in various wet lab and computer techniques and processes. Collects ion channel sequences from various species’ genomes for analysis. Oversees N. vectensis care. Completed an undergraduate thesis on the use of AlphaFold and molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the bonding occupancies of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges to predict the functional assembly of mutated ion channel subunits.
Teaching Assistant – Teaching in Biology
The Pennsylvania State University
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Assisted two professors in a special section of the Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity lab.
- With the intent of becoming teaching assistants for lab sections in the following semester, change-of-campus students from Penn State satellite campuses completed all lab activities and assignments to familiarize themselves with the main campus’ lab and its differences.
- Gave lectures, advice, and assistance to students to help prepare them to teach a lab section of their own.
Teaching Assistant – Ecotoxicology
The Pennsylvania State University
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Assisted the Professor during the 30+ student lecture by answering questions and providing help during in-class case studies and other assignments.
- Graded homework, posters, projects, and exams.
- Held office hours by appointment.
Teaching Assistant – Biology: Basic Concepts & Biodiversity Lab
The Pennsylvania State University
08.2024 - 12.2024
- Taught a lab section of 24 undergraduate students.
- Gave lectures on the week’s laboratory assignment, biological concepts, lab techniques, and basics in scientific writing and presentations.
- Graded and provided constructive feedback on all quizzes, presentations, papers, other assignments, and lab performance.
- Contributed ideas and suggestions to teaching assistant meetings.
- Held one weekly office hour.
Teaching Assistant – Grader: Society & Disease Management
The Pennsylvania State University
08.2024 - 12.2024
- Graded and provided feedback for dozens of students’ assignments weekly for two sections of a remote class for main campus and world campus students.
Learning Assistant – Biology: Molecules and Cells
The Pennsylvania State University
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Attended lectures of more than 150 students and helped during worksheet completion periods.
- Watched over and graded weekly assignments for a ‘team’ of 25 students.
- Participated in weekly meetings to discuss next week's agendas and provided feedback and suggestions.
- Held two weekly office hours.
Learning Assistant – Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity
The Pennsylvania State University
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Attended lectures with over 400 students and assisted during practice problem solving.
- Communicated with Professor and other learning assistants to identify and bolster weak points in students’ understanding of topics.
- Participated in review sessions before exams with a similar structure to the lecture.
- Held two weekly office hours.
Animal Care Specialist
Animal Rescue League of Berks County
07.2022 - 06.2023
- Worked in a team setting to care for, feed, clean, and maintain the overall well-being of over 200 dogs, cats, farm animals, and various small animals.
- Sorted donations, organized supplies, and wrote biographies of shelter animals for potential adopters to view.
- Trained and supervised new staff members and volunteers.
Learning Assistant – Calculus and Biology II
The Pennsylvania State University
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Assisted the Professor in a 50+ student lecture with practice problems and questions.
- Organized and led review sessions before exams by giving advice and practice problems to ensure all students were comfortable with the material.
Men’s Volleyball Club Student Government Association Representative
The Pennsylvania State University – Berks Campus
08.2021 - 05.2023
- Represented the Penn State Berks Men’s Volleyball Club team in the Penn State Berks Student Government Association.
- Negotiated budgets, schedules, and other logistics with the Student Government Association.
- Coordinated outings, tournaments, and volunteer efforts for the club.
Volunteer Worker
St John's Lutheran Church
06.2018 - 08.2021
- Cleaned and maintained inside areas of the chapel.
- Landscaped church premises with other volunteers.
- Assisted with the collection and organization of food, clothing, and monetary donations for church and local charities.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology
The Pennsylvania State University
State College, PA12.2024
Skills
- Technical writing
- R
- PCR
- Excel, Word, PowerPoint
- DNA purification
- DNA modification
- RNA synthesis
- Oocyte RNA transfection
- Gel electrophoresis
- Gel extraction
- Plasmid transformation
- MEGA
- ChimeraX
- VMD
- NAMD
- Primer design
- ELISA
- Data collection
- Data interpretation
- Sequence collection
Accomplishments
Eagle Scout
Research
The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, Research Assistant – Huck Institute of the Life Sciences: Neuroscience Division, 2023-08-01, Present, Generates and analyzes plasmid DNA and RNA constructs, patch-clamp recording solutions, buffers, oocyte culture solutions, and data from molecular dynamics simulations., Analyzes and interprets patch-clamp recordings, molecular dynamics simulation results, and gel electrophoresis results., Prepares and injects X. laevis oocytes with RNA to be used in patch-clamp experiments., Trains new assistants in various wet lab and computer techniques and processes., Collects ion channel sequences from various species’ genomes for analysis., Oversees N. vectensis care., Completed an undergraduate thesis on the use of AlphaFold and molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the bonding occupancies of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges to predict the functional assembly of mutated ion channel subunits.
Other Achievements
- Eagle Scout Rank, Boy Scouts of America, Sinking Spring, PA, 2021-11-01, Eagle Scout project consisted of leading the troop in creating carpenter bee houses to support the native bee population.
- Statistical Analysis in R Workshop, 2025-04-01, 2025-05-01, Completed a 10-hour workshop provided by Penn State focusing on the use of R to run statistical analyses.
Timeline
Teaching Assistant – Teaching in Biology
The Pennsylvania State University
01.2025 - 05.2025
Teaching Assistant – Ecotoxicology
The Pennsylvania State University
01.2025 - 05.2025
Teaching Assistant – Biology: Basic Concepts & Biodiversity Lab
The Pennsylvania State University
08.2024 - 12.2024
Teaching Assistant – Grader: Society & Disease Management
The Pennsylvania State University
08.2024 - 12.2024
New Student Orientation Advising Assistant
The Pennsylvania State University
05.2024 - Current
Learning Assistant – Biology: Molecules and Cells
The Pennsylvania State University
01.2024 - 05.2024
Research Assistant – Huck Institute of the Life Sciences: Neuroscience Division
The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
08.2023 - Current
Learning Assistant – Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity
The Pennsylvania State University
08.2023 - 12.2023
Learning Assistant – Calculus and Biology II
The Pennsylvania State University
01.2023 - 05.2023
Animal Care Specialist
Animal Rescue League of Berks County
07.2022 - 06.2023
Men’s Volleyball Club Student Government Association Representative
The Pennsylvania State University – Berks Campus
08.2021 - 05.2023
Volunteer Worker
St John's Lutheran Church
06.2018 - 08.2021
Bachelor of Science - Biology
The Pennsylvania State University
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