Ryan Ihnacik

Technical professional with experience in nuclear power, software testing, academic research, and public education.

Things I Can Do

  • Systems Engineering
  • Nuclear Power
  • Industrial and Academic Laboratory Work
  • Drink coffee

Education

M.S. in Systems Engineering

Johns Hopkins University
Graduated August 2019

B.A. in Biological Sciences

UMBC
Graduated December 2007
MSDE Certificate to Teach Secondary Biology
Sherman STEM Scholar, Full Academic Scholarship, Fall 2007
CitiFinancial Scholar, Full Academic Scholarship, Fall 2006 - Spring 2007

Resume

Work History


Lead Project Control Analyst
Science Systems and Applications Incorporated (SSAI)
June 2021 – Present, Greenbelt, MD
Support NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in the implementation of the HBG and ESES III contracts.

Senior Chemist
Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant
July 2020 – Present, Lusby, MD
Program owner for REMP, ODCM, and Radiochemistry. Candidate in the Exelon Emerging Leaders Program.

Reactor Coolant System Chemist
Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant
July 2018 – July 2020, Lusby, MD
Program owner for reactor coolant chemistry of two PWR units. Conceived and implemented a UV light inspection program which is being recognized as an industry best practice.

Radwaste Chemist
Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant
August 2015 – May 2018, Lusby, MD Program owner for Radwaste, REMP, and ODCM. Managed a $2 million per year radioactive waste disposal program. Planned and implemented cost savings initiatives, equipment reliability enhancements, and program improvements.

Chemistry and Biology Teacher
Huntingtown High School
September 2012 – 2015, Huntingtown, MD
Instructed students of first year Chemistry, AP Chemistry and AP Biology courses. Served as the Site-Based Technology Coordinator, school webmaster, STEM Committee member, Technology Committee member. Initiated and advised the Astronomy Club.

Head Biological Science Laboratory Technician
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Photobiology and Solar Radiation Lab
June 2011 – September 2012, Summer 2013, Summer 2014, Edgewater, MD
Executed all experiments and maintained a laboratory as part of a NASA funded project to determine the effects of ultraviolet light exposure on algae. Developed data processing automation scripts in Python.

8​th​ Grade Science Teacher
Addelita Cancryn Junior High School
October 2009 – March 2011, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Planned, organized, and was awarded a grant for a field trip to the neighboring island of St. John.

Software Quality Assurance Engineer / Technical Writer
OpenPath Products
July 2008 – August 2009, Annapolis, MD
Developed and followed procedures for conducting highly detailed and rigorous quality assurance tests of cell phone and web applications. Collaborated to solve hardware and software problems.

Student Teacher / Long-Term Substitute Chemistry Teacher
Digital Harbor High School, Baltimore City Public School #416
October 2006 – June 2008, Baltimore, MD
Stepped in as the full-time instructor while still an intern when the supervising mentor teacher took leave due to a medical emergency.

Laboratory and Field Research Assistant
UMBC Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Dr. Kevin Omland
February 2005 – December 2007, Baltimore, MD
Provided technical writing support. Assisted in field research involving the capturing, banding, releasing, and monitoring of wild birds. Recorded and organized mating and nesting data. Wrote and published online encyclopedia articles on researched bird species.

Education Intern
Calvert Marine Museum
Summer 2007, Solomon’s Island, MD
Actively engaged museum visitors in hands-on, tactile learning experiences that helped them to form an understanding of the paleontology, ecology, and maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Laboratory Assistant
Chesapeake Biological Laboratories, Laboratory of Dr. Joel Baker
Summer 2006, Solomon’s Island, MD
Assisted in studies that examined the bioaccumulation of PCB's and PBDE's in aquatic tissues.