Ryan Byrd, a lifelong Iowa resident, completed his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa. He is currently a Master's student in Biomedical Engineering and plans to pursue a PhD with a research focus on exploring how fat tissue is impacted by a toxicant called Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB). Ryan is a trainee of the Iowa Superfund Research Program, conducting his research in the lab of Dr. James Ankrum. He hopes to create better ways to model fat in a laboratory, in order to understand the mechanisms behind how PCBs harm those who are exposed. Ryan’s motivation for pursuing research lies in a desire to improve the health outcomes of his friends, family, and broader community. Outside of research, Ryan enjoys spending time with his two longtime roommates and his family, watching/ playing sports, lifting weights, playing card games, and reading.