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Ryan Eskalis (Fed)

Cinematographer/Editor

Ryan Eskalis is a cinematographer and video editor with the Digital Media Production Group at NIST.

As a military brat, Ryan spent his childhood moving from state to state and country to country. Early on, he learned that storytelling was the fastest way to make friends in his constantly changing environment. This skill ultimately led him into journalism, where he captured stories offering unique glimpses into the breadth of the human experience. Whether documenting the healthcare challenges faced by rodeo cowboys in Cheyenne, Wyoming, or showcasing middle school students in Trenton, New Jersey, building boats to explore the Camden River, Ryan has always been grateful to those who trusted him to share their stories.

At NIST, Ryan applies the values of documentary storytelling he developed during his time in journalism. He uses his cinematographic skills to film stunning visuals, record engaging audio, and edit narratives that simplify complex scientific concepts, making NIST's work accessible to audiences of all backgrounds.

When he's not hauling camera gear, you can usually find Ryan rollerblading around D.C., downing milkshakes instead of training for his next marathon, or trying to persuade his cat to let him pick her up.

Favorite Videos

Can an Electron Explain the Origin of the Universe?
Can an Electron Explain the Origin of the Universe?
Nobel Laureate Eric Cornell along with his PhD students Patricia Héctor Hernández and Sun Yool Park take us on a journey from the big bang to present day research on an electron's electric dipole moment (eEDM) to try and explain one of life's biggest questions: how did we get here?
NCST Insider | feat. Vincent Lee
NCST Insider | feat. Vincent Lee
Introducing Vincent Lee, who supports the remote sensing and data visualization project in the investigation.
HDYMI: Body Armor Edition
HDYMI: Body Armor Edition
Unlike its portrayal in Hollywood and video games, real-life body armor doesn’t render wearers invincible; instead, it works to mitigate the impact of bullets so that the people wearing it can live another day. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) employ rigorous testing standards to interrogate the effectiveness of body armor by subjecting samples to meticulous testing procedures, including simulating wear and tear and subjecting armor to live fire tests.

Awards

NIST

  • The Communicator Awards 
    • 2024: The Communicator Awards
      • General-Safety, Distinction
      • "How can parents encourage their children to use online technology safely and privately?" (Cinematographer/Editor)

WJLA-TV

Circa

ViewFinder (Senior Thesis)

  • Broadcast Education Association Awards
    • 2018: Film & Video Competition
      • Student Film & Video "Best of" Festival Award (Instructional/Educational Category) 
      • "Strength and Shame: Inside Maryland’s Opioid Epidemic " (Photojournalist/Editor) 
    • 2017: Film & Video Competition 
      • Student Film & Video (Instructional/Educational Category)—2nd Place
      • "The Missing Half" (Photojournalist/Editor) 
    • 2017: News Competition
      • Student Television News "Best of" Festival Award (Television Hard News Category) 
      • "Blindsided" (Photojournalist/Editor) 
  • Emmy Awards and Nominations
    • 2017: College Student Production Award Recipient
      • "ViewFinder Fall '16: Strength and Shame" (Photojournalist/Editor)
  • National Press Photographers Association Awards
    • 2017: Northern Short Course Contest
      • Team Multimedia—3rd Place
      • "ViewFinder Fall '16: Strength and Shame" (Photojournalist/Editor)
  • White House News Photographers Association Awards
    • 2017 The Eyes of History Student Contest 
      • Natural Sound Package—2nd Place
      • "Last Chance" (Photojournalist/Editor)
Created January 18, 2023, Updated November 12, 2024