Munroe-Meyer Institute

- Clinical Care Overview
- Make an Appointment
  Most appointments for MMI's unique range of services for individuals with disabilities are scheduled through our Patient Information Office.
- Diagnosis and Disorders
  Learn about a specific diagnosis or developmental disorder.
- Community Engagement
  We bring together providers, agencies and stakeholders to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and complex health care needs.
- Patient Resources
  Helpful information about insurance, evaluations, interpretive services, lodging and more.
- Request an Interpreter
  We provide qualified language interpreters for our patients with limited English or sign language interpreters for our patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
- Education Overview
- Residency/Fellowship
  MMI faculty provide quality education, specialized skills and knowledge for students training to provide transformative care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Parents & Caregivers
  Learn about our leadership and advocacy training opportunities for parents and caregivers of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- Job Shadow
  Many of our programs and services offer job shadowing opportunities.
- Continuing Education
  At MMI, you'll find professional development and continuing education opportunities, including leadership training, workshops and clinical experiences in genetics grand rounds.
- Research Overview
- Faculty Research
  We work in basic, applied, translational and evaluative research in every one of our programs and disciplines.
- Student Research
  Assisting MMI faculty in their research efforts are numerous post-doctoral fellows, doctoral interns, graduate and undergraduate students from across the nation.
- Active Research Studies
  Explore MMI research studies recruiting participants.
Engagement
- Resources Overview
- Legislation and Legal Policy
  MMI serves as an expert resource to state and federal policymakers on issues impacting individuals with disabilities and their families.
- Leadership and Assistance Opportunities
  There are many opportunities for individuals with disabilities and family members to become involved in leadership roles.
- Lifespan Resources
  We help families with children who have disabilities navigate resources available across childhood to early adulthood.
Our Team

Ryan Thomas, BS

Ryan Thomas

Ryan Thomas is a Clinical Research Associate II for the Department of Research at UNMC's Munroe-Meyer Institute.

Languages spoken: English

Professional Bio

Thomas received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2021. Prior to joining MMI, Thomas was part of a senior design team that developed a virtual reality safety training program sponsored by the UNMC College of Nursing.

Thomas’s work primarily focuses on developing virtual reality software for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His projects include physical therapy games for children with cerebral palsy, a pedestrian safety simulator utilizing a virtual reality treadmill, and an immersive VR training tool designed to teach caregivers how to conduct free operant preference assessments. Thomas collaborates with a variety of clinical research teams, providing technical support for projects involving VR, physiological and behavioral sensing technologies, machine learning, and research software development.

Thomas also manages the MMI Maker Space, where he uses 3D printing, laser cutting, and electronics equipment to support the development of low-cost assistive devices. In partnership with the Physical Therapy department, he helps organize biannual GoBabyGo! Nebraska builds that provide modified ride-on cars to support independent mobility for young children with motor difficulties.

Focus Areas

Assistive Technology.
Biosensors.
Machine Learning.
Neuroimaging.
Virtual Reality.

Research

Using Fully Immersive Virtual Reality to Teach Safe Pedestrian Skills to Autistic Children.
Feasibility of At-Home Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training in Virtual Reality: Case Study.

Honors

Silver U Award, UNMC, 2026.
Phoenix Award (Support Staff), MMI, 2026.