Ryan is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in Luso-Brazilian Cultural and Media Studies. His thesis analyzes constructions of race and masculinity in the transnational frontier of the Pampas between Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.  He holds an MA in Hispanic Studies from Villanova University and a BA in Creative Writing and Latin American History from the University of Pittsburgh. Ryan has taught Latin American Languages and Culture at the post-secondary level since 2014.

With the Language Exchange, Ryan teaches Portuguese mainly to faculty in the Greater Portland Area’s School Districts engaging with Angolan refugee students and families. He has worked in migrant advocacy as the Lead Interpreter and Mentor at the Clinic for Asylum, Refugee & Emigrant Services at Villanova Law School, and has interpreted for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking migrants with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

In his spare time, he enjoys training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, rock climbing and playing guitar.