Headshot

Ryan Formica

MS Engineering Student

Currently pursuing my master's degree in Bioengineering - Medical Product Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, with anticipated graduation date of April 2026. My skillset is expansive and broadly applicable - from electronic design and machining work to high-precision device testing. I thrive in research and development roles, with extensive prior experience in product design, prototyping, product development, and testing. I particularly excel in iterative prototyping, design for manufacturing, user-centered design, and human factors engineering.

3.84
GPA
18 Months
Professional Experience
2x
Summa Cum Laude
Featured Work

Engineering Projects

Myoelectric Arm Prosthetic
Circuit Design Microcontrollers HTML C++

Myoelectric Arm Prosthetic

Commercial Project

Served as project lead, designed, and built a custom myoelectric arm prosthetic, including initial testing, data analysis, circuit design, and microcontroller coding.

Airfield Asset Tracker
Product Testing Field Installation ArcGIS Data Analysis

Airfield Asset Tracker

Commercial Project

Helped develop, optimize, and test device to track airfield assets, including deicing trucks. Performed field installation and testing with devices. Performed thorough analysis on data collected by device and generated field reports.

Pipe Inspection Robot
Robotics CAD Product Testing Circuit Design Iterative Prototyping

Pipe Inspection Robot

Commercial Project

Worked on sewer pipe inspection robot modernization project. Designed and fabricated custom parts and complex circuits. Performed thorough product testing through multiple rounds of prototyping.

Pediatric Urinary Catheter
Problem Discovery User-Centered Design Human Factors Risk-Hazard Mitigation Iterative Prototyping

Pediatric Urinary Catheter

Academic Project

Performed ethnographic research to define a clinical need in pediatric urology, and ideated, designed, prototyped, and tested a custom solution. Design was created using user-centered design, human factors, and risk-hazard mitigation techniques.

User-Controlled Track Lighting System
Design for Manufacturing Circuit Design Iterative Prototyping Product Fabrication CAD

User-Controlled Track Lighting System

Commercial Project

Worked on track lighting system project, including custom PCB design using KiCAD and fabrication of custom parts using various techniques like 3D printing and laser cutting. Performed design for manufacturing and iterative prototyping techniques to refine product design. Built over 200 units.

Dental Crown Inspection System
Iterative Prototyping Python Neural Networks Machine Vision Robotics

Dental Crown Inspection System

Commercial Project

Developed a quality control inspection system for dental crowns, including automated robotic components, machine vision-driven programs, and a custom-made neural network for case matching.

Recognition

Academic Achievements

2026

Big Idea Competition Semifinalist

Reached the semifinalist of the University of Pittsburgh's premiere innovation competition, the Big Idea Competition. Semifinal round results pending.

2025-2026

GEES Fellowship

Awarded the University of Pittsburgh Graduate Engineering Education Scholarship, and member of associated fellowship program designed to develop graduate students for a career in industry

2025

University Honors Joint Degree

Awarded with joint degree from Frederick Honors College for outstanding undergraduate academic performance

2025

Summa Cum Laude

Graduated with highest honors from undergraduate program

2025

Published Research

Co-authored publication of complete, annotated virus genome

2022-2025

OCC Honors Society

Completed a comprehensive co-curricular program including experiences in leadership development, professional communication skills, and global and cultural fluency.