Pat Ryan ’25 chose Franklin & Marshall College for independent research opportunities and individualized mentorship. Now, he’s a research technician at one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals.

Ryan is an aspiring physician-scientist and pediatric oncology research technician at the Mossé Lab at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). His work at CHOP focuses on developing more potent and less toxic therapies for children with cancer.

“I credit my research training and the mentorship I received at F&M immensely for how well I adjusted to my position at CHOP,” Ryan said. “I was heavily involved in neuroscience and immunology research and took various upper-level electives focused on developing research projects and analyzing primary literature.”

Ryan is also an emergency medical services (EMS) provider and educator, even commuting to Lancaster on weekends to work as an advanced emergency medical technician (EMT).

Ryan is a member of F&M’s Class of 2025. Within six months after graduation, 92% of the Class of 2025 were either employed or furthering their education. This is higher than the national average, which is typically in the mid-80% range.

"The beauty of a liberal arts education is the breadth of opportunity at your fingertips. You never know what might come from it."

Pat Ryan ’25

Pat Ryan ’25

• Major: Neuroscience
• Minor: Philosophy
• Career: Research Technician III, Laboratory of Dr. Yaël Mossé, Division of Oncology, CHOP; Advanced EMT, Lancaster EMS; Adjunct faculty, Good Fellowship Ambulance & EMS Training Institute

What did the first six months after graduating from F&M look like?

After graduating, I stayed in Lancaster for most of the summer, completing clinical training to earn my advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) certification. I completed the majority of my training at Lancaster EMS, an organization that I've been a part of for over three years and with which F&M now has a direct partnership. 

At the end of the summer, I began a full-time translational research position in the Mossé Lab at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). My work focuses on developing cellular immunotherapies for children with specific types of cancer. Moreover, I joined the faculty at Good Fellowship Ambulance & EMS Training Institute as an EMS clinical instructor.

In fall, I began studying for the MCAT, moved my two younger sisters to college, and ran a half marathon (I’ve now run two over the course of the year!). Overall, it's been a busy, yet immensely rewarding, time.

How did your F&M experience prepare you for where you are now?

I credit my research training and the mentorship I received at F&M immensely for how well I adjusted to my position at CHOP. I was heavily involved in neuroscience and immunology research and took various upper-level electives focused on developing research projects and analyzing primary literature. I also wouldn't have had the opportunity to be considered for this kind of position without the advocacy of the F&M faculty who supported me. The foundation I built as an undergraduate scientist enabled me to gain independence quickly at CHOP and to contribute significantly across numerous projects within our group, all of which aim to develop more potent and less toxic treatments for children with cancer. 

My clinical work is also rooted at F&M. I began my EMS journey as a member of F&M EMS, which was an on-campus organization when I was a student, and joined Lancaster EMS as a sophomore because of the experiences I had with the on-campus club. I still commute to Lancaster on weekends to work on the ambulance now as an advanced EMT!

How does your current path compare to what you envisioned in your first year at F&M?

In my first year at F&M, I honestly had no clue what I wanted to do. I really appreciated that there wasn't any pressure to have a desired path during your first or even second year. Frankly, I could never have imagined that I would be in the position I am now. Everything fell into place at the right time because of the diverse experiences I had and the opportunities I took advantage of during my time in college.

Looking back on your college search, why did you choose F&M?

I chose F&M because of the opportunities for individualized mentorship and independent research, both of which are harder to come by at a larger institution. Moreover, opportunities to study abroad were important to me when I was considering which college to attend. I was really happy to have taken advantage of it during my senior year when I studied in Copenhagen at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad. 

What advice would you share with the incoming Class of 2030?

You're entering a time in your life where there is so much unknown, and I think it's important to embrace that, as hard as it may be. Try as many different things as you can, email that professor about an idea for a research project you're thinking of, try that new coffee shop downtown, and take that dance or philosophy class. The beauty of a liberal arts education is the breadth of opportunity at your fingertips. You never know what might come from it.

The Mossé Lab at CHOP is showcased in this video, which shares the reality of living with the long-term side effects of childhood cancer.

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