Ryan Welch
About Ryan Welch
Ryan Welch is a Graduate Research Assistant at The George Washington University, where he has contributed to various research projects since 2019. He has a strong background in engineering and aviation, having studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and The George Washington University, and has experience working with the United States Air Force and Naval Sea Systems Command.
Work at The George Washington University
Ryan Welch has been employed as a Graduate Research Assistant at The George Washington University since 2019. In this role, he has engaged in various research activities, including designing experiments and characterizing materials at the atomic level. His work focuses on understanding the impacts of process parameters on materials, particularly in the context of thermoelectric materials.
Education and Expertise
Ryan Welch completed his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at The George Washington University from 2016 to 2019. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's degree in the same field from the same institution between 2018 and 2020. Prior to this, he earned an Associate of Science degree in Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, studying from 2010 to 2015. He also holds an Associate of Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology from the Community College of the Air Force, completed in 2014.
Background in the United States Air Force
Ryan Welch served in the United States Air Force from 2005 to 2014, where he worked as an Aviation Maintenance Technician for nine years. He later became a C-17 Hydraulic Systems Instructor for one year in Charleston, South Carolina. His military experience provided him with a strong foundation in aviation maintenance and technical instruction.
Research Contributions and Projects
During his time as a Graduate Student Intern Mechanical Engineer at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) from 2017 to 2019, Ryan Welch contributed to various engineering projects. He led 18 customer discovery interviews for the National Science Foundation I-Corps short-course in February 2019 and contributed to 25 of 100 interviews as Co-Entrepreneurial Lead for the I-Corps team. His work included developing business model value propositions and customer segments.
Technical Skills and Research Focus
Ryan Welch's research includes investigating process-structure-property relationships using laser powder bed fusion techniques. He has designed experiments that characterize materials down to the atomic level, which is essential for understanding how different process parameters affect material properties. His expertise lies in mechanical engineering and materials science, with a focus on thermoelectric materials.