Patrick John Ryan
Why did you choose Northwestern?
I chose Northwestern because I knew I wanted to be innovative and creative in my career and was a firm believer in "whole-brain engineering", was has been brought to life by Dean Ottino in McCormick. I loved catalysis and research, and I am also passionate about the need to translate the fruits of research into tangible solutions for society.
How would you describe your research and/or work to a non-academic audience? What was it then and/or what it is now?
I studied adsorption, separations, and catalysis in novel porous materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) under the guidance of Prof. Linda Broadbelt and Prof Randy Snurr. I remember trying to explain it to others, and my wife's uncle would always ask me how my "hydrogen in a box" project was coming. I really learned the importance to communicate at a high level to non-technical audiences and start with the punch line. I was also amazed at what insights non-experts could offer or how they could look at a problem from an entirely new perspective. It is amazing to watch the progress with novel materials for a variety of applications, and there is a spin-off company (NuMat Technologies) that has worked to commercialize for several applications.
Tell us who or what inspired your research and/or work.
I was raised in a family with a special needs sibling, my other brother Mike. He was born with hydrocephalus, and he has been moderately mentally handicapped his entire life. He inspired me to realize how many people need help and support in their lives, and I wanted to make an impact on people who did not have their own voice through my career. Whether a new treatment or discovery to make something new or better, I was passionate about what was next and felt obligated to work hard of behalf of him.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
I've focused my career on working at the boundary/intersection of disciplines. My personal passion is the mix of science and business, and I've found fun ways to grow and explore Research & Development, Operations, Global Marketing, and Program Management within the device and biopharma industry. I am grateful for the opportunity to be one of the first students in the Management for Scientists and Engineers course, which was jointly established between TGS/McCormick and Kellogg.
Tell us about a current achievement or something you're working on that excites you.
I currently work in the gene therapy industry, and there is a lot of promise for patients and families without treatment options. I had the privilege of working on the launch of a transformational gene therapy that treats a severe pediatric genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy. I am humbled to have been a part of the team to bring this medicine to the market, and "saving babies" has been our rally cry to find creative ways to do things once thought impossible. For me personally, it has been a rewarding journey of translating science into meaningful impact for patients and society.
What advice would you give your younger self or someone considering a similar path?
Many people want to specialize in their career, but there is a huge need for people to lead and work as part of diverse and inclusive teams. The science and technical aspects are foundational to much of the work in industry, but the other half of being a team player and motivating others is just as if not more important.