Ryan Washburn  

Dean's Medal: Biomedical Sciences

Ryan Washburn will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences.

A first-generation college student, Ryan’s positive experience with doctors throughout childhood inspired him to pursue a career in medicine.

Ryan received the Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship, Ever to Conquer Scholarship, Auburn University Board of Trustees Scholarship, Hansford Family Scholarship, and the Dr. Claranne M. Bush Scholarship to attend Auburn University. Throughout his time as a student in the Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics, Ryan participated in research with Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. Rita Graze. His research focused on the effects of insulin signaling pathways in the fruit fly.

Additional experience during his time at Auburn included what he described as a life-changing study abroad experience to the Dominican Republic through which he studied water quality and culture. Volunteer experience included assisting young children learning math, helping high school students prepare for the ACT, and volunteering at Morningside Assisted Living. He has also worked as a licensed pharmacy technician at Winn-Dixie Pharmacy for the last three years.

Ryan has maintained a 4.0 throughout his time at Auburn University and has been accepted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine at Auburn.

Ryan is recently engaged and he and his fiancé will soon continue their studies together at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dothan, Ala.

As he ends his senior year, Ryan feels confident, proud and humbled by all of the incredible opportunities that he has received. He is very hopeful for the future and beginning medical school, which will bring him one step closer to his goal of opening a practice in a rural area to provide access to primary healthcare to as many people as possible.