2026 SOURCE Symposium at Syracuse University. I am standing next to Cameron Murray, writing of the Sourdough Microbes book project.

2026 SOURCE Symposium at Syracuse University. I am standing next to Cameron Murray, writing of the Sourdough Microbes book project.

I received an acknowledgment from Virge Kask , Co-Chair for the 2025 GNSI Conference, for my volunteer efforts.

I received an acknowledgment from Virge Kask , Co-Chair for the 2025 GNSI Conference, for my volunteer efforts.

Group photo with the Oliverio Lab, at Syracuse University.

Group photo with the Oliverio Lab, at Syracuse University.

Working on art at a friend's studio.

Working on art at a friend's studio.

An array of educational posters and brochures about tick identification and removal, including illustrations of a tick, mushrooms, and a bird.

An array of educational posters and brochures about tick identification and removal, including illustrations of a tick, mushrooms, and a bird.

Friends and fun from the 2025 GNSI Conference!

Friends and fun from the 2025 GNSI Conference!

Group photo for the 2025 GNSI conference!

Group photo for the 2025 GNSI conference!

My presentation for NEMPET 2025! I got to present the beginnings of the Sourdough Community Novel.

My presentation for NEMPET 2025! I got to present the beginnings of the Sourdough Community Novel.

2025 SOURCE Symposium at Syracuse University. I am with Dr. Angela Oliverio, Cameron Murray, and Charles Deyo

2025 SOURCE Symposium at Syracuse University. I am with Dr. Angela Oliverio, Cameron Murray, and Charles Deyo

Experience

Scientific Illustrator

Oliverio Lab, Syracuse University. 1/2025 - Current

  • Creative director and content producer of a field guide to sourdough microbes for internal documentation and to be shared with other labs. 

  • Illustrated and designed graphic assets of protist feeding mechanisms for published academic paper.

Urban Ecology Researcher

Youngsteadt Lab, North Carolina State University. 5/2026 - 8/2026

  • I have had the pleasure of participating in the BeeMORE Pollinator Research Internship, where I have been researching the impact of high temperatures on pollinator behavior at the Youngsteadt Lab.

  • I have also been illustrating, designing, and writing outreach content for the benefit of urban pollinator conservationists.

Art Instructor

YMCA, Syracuse City School District. 2022-2025

  • Provided quality art education for the Syracuse City School District (SCSD).

  • Instructed 4-6th graders on the creation of nature dioramas.

  • Supplemented art education with ecology education through various projects involving plant identification and preservation.

About Ryan

I am a scientific illustrator who is passionate about getting hands-on with the science I am communicating! I have a passion for nature, which I explore through my queer hiking group, and my experience in ecology research.

Activities

Publications

Experimental biases in soil protist feeding studies obscure the diversity of belowground predation. 2026. Rachel M. Shepherd, Cameron S. Murray, Hannah N. Murphy, Ryan L. Skidmore, Angela M. Oliverio

Conferences

Summer Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium 7/31/2026

GSNI Visual SciComm Conference 2025 7/13/2025 - 7/19/2025

Northeastern Microbiologists: Physiology, Ecology and Taxonomy Conference 2025 6/27/2025-6/29/2025

Community

CNYHiking 10/2023 - Forever!

  • LGBT-focused hiking group in Central New York.

  • This group was created to take advantage of the natural wealth of Upstate New York, and to give the queer community more opportunities to make connections.