Ryan McCormack, PhD

Materials Science & Engineering with minors in Math and Physics

I’m a Dad, Husband, and lifelong learner. I’m passionate about teaching and making a difference in the lives of kids, helping them to realize their full potential.

Ryan McCormack

I studied STEM for more than a decade, intending to become a professor in Materials Science & Engineering, but my life changed with the rise of the Internet. I left my academic path and pursued a 23-year career as a user experience designer, technologist, architect and strategist.

My journey has now come full-circle, back into the world of education. I’ve stepped away from the big corporate world and am enjoying working on a smaller, more personal scale.

Educational experience

  • Valedictorian, Laguna Beach High School (1985)

  • B.S. Chemical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering, University of California at Berkeley 1989

  • M.S. and PhD Materials Science & Engineering, University of California at Berkeley 1994

  • Post-doctoral studies at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD 1994-1999

Teaching credentials and experience

  • California Substitute Teaching Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

  • Mathematics – California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST): Passed (Score: 77/80, Passing score: 41)

  • 20 years experience acting as a mentor and team leader in the field of User Experience Design (Internet consulting companies, design agencies, and Fortune 500 companies)

  • Teaching assistant for both graduate and undergraduate students, University of California at Berkeley, Department of Materials Science & Engineering 1992-1994

Relevant skills

  • Superior written, oral and visual communication skills, with an emphasis on presenting complex information in approachable, understandable terms

  • Focus on creating great customer experiences, with an ability to think about things from the perspective of both parents and students

  • Extensive experience in designing and facilitating large, outcome-driven group workshops with emphasis on Process, Empathy, and Flexibility in approach.