Ronin Ford Email & Phone Number

Ithaca, New York

•Execute detailed process and process controls engineering design, analysis, and commissioning for hydrogen and synthesis gas plants—utilizing AutoCAD for PFDs and P&IDs and Aspen HYSYS for H&MBs

Ithaca, New York

Project: Developing Energy Efficient Reactors for Integrated CO2 Capture and Conversion✯Aizen Climate Research Scholars Fund (Fall 2024)✯Outline:Upcycle construction and demolition waste by extracting calcium from concrete and utilizing CO2 mineralization to produce vaterite, which has diverse applications ranging from high-performance cement mixtures to innovative drug delivery systems.Key Contributions:•Engineer and refine a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) for CaCO3 production through CO2 mineralization by systematically optimizing various operational parameters—increasing total yield by 40% and purity from 80% to ~95% vaterite

Ithaca, New York

•Conduct gap analysis in biomedical innovation to ideate and prototype a novel medical device•Collaborate with a subteam of ~10 individuals over a two-year R&D cycle and submit the design to National VentureWell DEBUT Competition; products judged on innovation, feasibility, marketabilityPhase 2A Subteam Project: NanoLIST, A Gold Nanoparticle Solution for Non-Invasive Lead-in-Saliva Testing✯NanoLIST awarded 2024 Healthcare Technologies for Low-Resource Settings Prize: $15,000Funds from the National Institute of Minority and Health Disparities✯According to the NIEHS, up to 800 million children globally have blood lead levels (BLL) at or above 5 µg/dL—with the CDC defining a BLL above 3.5 µg/dL as elevated (which can result in behavioral and educational challenges such as reduced IQ and increased hyperactivity). 94% of these cases occur in low or middle income communities; however, the current leading diagnosis method is blood testing—with costs of ~$17, results taking up to a week, and requiring significant local clinical infrastructure. Identifying this health discrepancy, a solution followed: NanoLIST. A self-contained kit that utilizes the formation and reduction of gold nanoparticles in the presence of lead-containing saliva to produce a distinct color change within 30 seconds. Requiring no additional reagents and with its leak proof design, NanoLIST is safe for usage and disposal without clinician assistance—for only ~$0.25 per test.Key Contributions towards NanoLIST:•Devised and tested procedures leveraging previous research on a one-step reaction involving to synthesize gold nanoparticles that in the presence of lead results in nanoparticle aggregation and colorimetric change•Optimized the three-component system (transparent vial, middle capsule, and push button with two stopping points) and produced CAD models (Autodesk Fusion)•3D printed and assembled components (UltiMaker S5 and Bambu Lab X1-Carbon, PETG filaments)

Ithaca, New York

•Co-guide weekly ~20 students group workshops to better student understanding of Differential Equations for Engineers (FA2024), Multivariable Calculus for Engineers (SP2024), or Engineering General Chemistry (FA2023)•Develop ice breakers (“The Zoo”, “Snowball Fight”, “Act It Out!”), content reviews (braindumps, carousel), and worksheets that prioritize student-centered learning and peer collaboration while emphasizing engineering applications•Overall rating from 20 students in MATH 1920 AEW across all feedback categories: 4.77/5Ex. ratings: “Shows concern for all”: 4.83/5 & “Clear/helpful explanations”: 4.74/5Ex. anonymous responses to “Most Helpful Characteristics”:“Ronin goes out of his way to make sure everyone is engaged and learning well. He cares about our understanding of the topics.”“He brings a very positive and energetic attitude which makes me want to learn and is very helpful considering our AEW is Wednesday nights for two hours. He is always ready to laugh with us as well while still keeping us on track.”“Knows how to explain things in a different way if they don't make sense the first time. Very helpful.”Ex. Worksheet Problem:In crucial need of cutting material costs in their cans, Super Soda looks to you—an engineer with a strong command of Lagrange Multipliers—for support. Let V be the volume of a cylindrical Super Soda can, with dimensions radius r and height h. Let S be its surface area.a. Super Soda’s cans are super stout—with the height of the can equal to its diameter. Show that the point (r,h) is a Lagrange critical point.b. Minimize the surface area S, subject to the constraint that V = 108π mL (~12 fluid ounces)c. Super Soda tasks you to experiment with two even sillier cans—cubical cans and spherical cans. Subject to the same volume constraint as the cylindrical cans (V = 108π), determine the surface area of both the cubical and spherical cans. Which Super Soda can is the best choice for cutting costs? Discuss with your group!

Beijing, China

•Operated medium-scale (10L, 50L, 100L, and 300L) bioreactors—utilizing E. coli to manufacture various recombinant proteins, primarily for biopharmaceutical and cosmetic usage•Performed protein purification (GE AKTA Purifier, immobilized metal affinity chromatography) and protein desalting (size-exclusion chromatography) for downstream proteomic applications•Conducted biochemical experiments including enzyme activity assays (through adsorption spectrometry), DNA extraction (mini and midi preps), DNA concentration (spectrometry), DNA gel electrophoresis, protein gel electrophoresis, DNA gel extraction/purification, Western blotting, PCR Amplification, electroporation

Ithaca, New York

•Investigated phloroglucinol meroterpenoids as chemical probes to modulate protein functions and pathophysiological signaling pathways through reversible-covalent interactions with lysines—revealing their significant therapeutic potential for a range of human diseases, such as cancer, viral infections, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative disorders•Executed molecular biology experiments (cloning, transfections, PCR), cell culture techniques for primary, mammalian, and bacterial cell cultures (cell morphology analysis via microscopy, subculturing, cell counting, cryopreservation), and imaging methods (confocal microscopy, flow cytometry)•Practiced additional chemical synthesis, analysis, and biochemistry procedures (reaction, purification, extraction, NMR, mass spectrometry)

Beverly, Massachusetts

•Operated analytical instruments for various experiments (atomic absorption spectrometry, gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection, scanning electron microscopy, gas detection tube, Karl Fischer titration, random tumble pilling tester, Martindale abrasion test) to aid the development of antimicrobial, anti-odor, water repellent, anti-pilling, and other chemical coating applications for textiles and determine the optimum chemical application-level based on Sciessent, textile mill, or textile brand criterium•Conducted textile based tests (fabric pH via electrode, fabric color spectrophotometer, moisture management, towel absorbency, phenolic yellowing test, color fastness, roller-buildup) to ensure that the chemical application of a product would not negatively affect the manufacturing process or fabric quality•Assisted microbiological procedures (inoculation, incubation) and executed antimicrobial efficacy testing as required using ASTM, AATCC, JIS, GB, and ISO test methods, via Biomerieux TEMPO count enumerator & standard plate counts•Monitored 80+ retains for stability (viscosity, pH, syneresis) and restructured past 3 years of associated Excel data for ~15 products

Orlando, Florida

•Summer program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State featuring robust Chinese language and cultural learning by nightly connection with overseas teachers, international peers, cultural organizations, and local communities•Received 'A' grade in course and improved two levels in Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) rankingNote: Accepted to study abroad during high school Academic Year 2020-2021 in China, cancelled due to COVID-19. Later accepted to study abroad during Summer 2021, likewise cancelled in person; however, this valuable remote experience was provided in place.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Chemical And Biomolecular Engineering

Activities and Societies: Gadikota Research Group, Cornell DEBUT, AEW Facilitator, AIChE Cornell Chapter, Professional Chemistry.

Education record

Activities and Societies: Scouts BSA Eagle Scout and Senior Patrol Leader, Orlando Area Rowing Society (OARS) Senior Captain, Chinese Club.