Ryan Larson Email & Phone Number

Salt Lake City, Ut, Us

Springville, Utah, United States

Provo, Utah

Applied engineering analysis to a system not usually thought of in mechanical terms: plants! Investigated the factors that influence plant stem structural failure. As part of master's thesis, developed a parameterized model of maize stem cross-sections that accurately predicts structural behavior under transverse compression while including the minimum model parameters. Examined behavior of maize stalks under various loading conditions through finite-element modeling and physical testing in both the lab and the field. Wrote Python and MATLAB scripts to automate thousands of 2D FEA cases and calculate summary statistics. Used principal component analysis to discover underlying geometric patterns in maize stalk morphology and apply them to model development. Presented research findings at two conferences in 2019.

Springville, Utah

Gained exposure in several aspects of small composites manufacturing company, including quality control, materials, and safety. Assisted with research and development of new processes. Redesigned mold support equipment to decrease technician overuse injuries. Produced several prototypes of a new class of composite window well each week and gave reports to management. Developed and performed test procedures to quantify performance of new window well under manufacture and installed conditions.

Provo, Utah

Led a multidisciplinary team to design a hand-powered tricycle attachment for wheelchairs in third-world countries. Allocated human and project resources to streamline design process and play to team member’s strengths. Applied top-down solid modeling techniques to design frame structure and integrate subsystems. Determined design requirements by meeting with project sponsor and wheelchair users.

Provo, Utah

Supported graduate research in soft robot design, focusing on performance of 3D-printed pneumatic actuators. Measured relationships between pressure, displacement, and force using motion tracking and force-torque sensor. Built testing platform that was compatible with of a variety of actuator geometries.

Provo, Utah

Manufactured custom physics research equipment using a variety of methods, including 3-axis CNC mill, lathe, knee mill and FDM 3D printing. Used Solidworks to design and build a machine to visualize gravitational acceleration. Trained, supervised and guided physics students on projects in the student shop. Received continued training on welding and other machines. Worked consistently in an ever-changing environment.

Master Of Science - Ms, Mechanical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Engineers in Business Club

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Mechanical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Project Manager, BYU Energy Club, 2015-2016; Member, Engineers In Business ClubMinor in Environmental Science.