Ryan Manion
University of Pennsylvania
About Me
Origins
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. I went to undergrad at the wonderful University of Pittsburgh. Contrary to popular belief that Pittsburgh is a wasteland clouded with soot, it is actually a nice place. And of course, I am a huge Steelers and Penguins fan! Who doesn't love Hines Ward and Sidney Crosby?
While at Pitt, I was an undergraduate teaching assistant and/or math tutor for 3 years. Teaching has always been a passion of mine.
Interests
Obviously, math has to be on this list. Math was my first love, and the neverending challenge it possesses helps keep me interested. Also, I've always had a great interest in teaching it to others. The allure of teaching rests in its challenge and fun factor as well. I like to see the interaction betweeen topology/algebra/geometry which is why complex algebraic geometry interests me so much.
Like most people, I'm into music. Like most guys who wanted to pick up girls at some point in their life, I play guitar. I enjoy fingerstyle guitar in the vein of Chet Atkins the most. Also, I'm in love with Radiohead, even though their latest album was a Let Down.
I'm a big fan of video games (mostly the old ones on NES/SNES). I've played Warcraft 2 online off and on since around 1998. Yes, some people still play it! Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm pretty good at it by now.
My two old roommates from Pitt and I are working on a video game of our own called Smiley's Maze Hunt. Check it out in the links section!
Other random interests include playing board games, biking, cooking, piano, watching really awful movies, playing ultimate frisbee, playing with my cats, and eating at Kim's.
Contact
Office: 4C13
Office hours
Tu3-4,F3-4
