Ryan Wade Logo Image
RYAN Z WADE

Hello world,

I'm Ryan Z Wade.

Frontend-Focused Full Stack Developer

About Me

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot

I became an educator because of a few incredible teachers who changed my life. I wanted to do the same—help others think critically, grow, and reach their potential.

Now, as a Full Stack Developer, I see code as a way to extend that mission: building tools that empower, educate, and inspire. With a strong foundation in JavaScript, React, and UI/UX design, I’ve developed and deployed responsive, user-centered apps that prioritize usability, performance, and clean aesthetics. I build with real users, real needs, and real impact in mind.

I’m looking to join a team where I can collaborate, grow, and contribute to purposeful software that makes a difference. Let’s connect if that resonates.

My Skills

HTML5
CSS
JavaScript
React JS
React Native
UI/UX Design
Python
Node.js
Express.js
PostgreSQL
Django
FastAPI
OpenAI API
RESTful API Design
Authentication
MongoDB
JWT
Firebase
CI/CD & Deployment
Docker
GIT
SMTP
Teamwork
Problem Solving

Projects Here, you will find some the projects I created personally or collaborated on.

Software Screenshot

Your AI Book Matchmaker

Your AI Book Matchmaker is a fully integrated feature within BookMatchup.com that generates personalized reading recommendations using OpenAI’s GPT API. Users can input a favorite title or author and receive real-time, conversational suggestions tailored to their taste. I built the feature end-to-end—prompt engineering, backend integration, and dynamic frontend rendering—within a single day of activating my OpenAI developer account. This addition shows how AI can be meaningfully embedded into existing applications to enhance user experience and extend functionality.

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Software Screenshot

Book Matchup

BookMatchup.com is a MERN stack project that helps readers discover new books and connect through shared reading interests. Users can track completed books, manage wishlists, write reviews, and rate titles using data from the Open Library API. The platform features public and private profiles, match comparisons, custom Canva-based avatars, color customization, and a responsive, user-friendly design. It’s fully deployed with SMTP email verification, Google OAuth via Firebase, and secure JWT authentication.

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Software Screenshot

Wholeness Forward

Wholeness Forward is an interactive health and wellness platform designed to help users track progress, build healthy habits, and foster a sense of community. The app features GratiSphere, a gratitude tracker that creates personalized word clouds and maintains user streaks for daily reflection, and WeighForward, an interactive weight tracker that supports visual goal setting and personal reflections. A built-in message board encourages community engagement, enhanced with custom Canva-designed SVG reaction buttons. Users can securely log in through SMTP email verification or Firebase-powered Google OAuth.

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BMI Calculator App Screenshot

BMI Calculator Mobile App

BMI Calculator Mobile App is a mobile-only application built with React Native and Expo to calculate a user's Body Mass Index (BMI). Users can input their height and weight using either U.S. or metric units and receive instant feedback. The app features a dynamic results view that displays the calculated BMI alongside a color-coded classification based on CDC guidelines. A clean, intuitive mobile interface ensures a user-friendly experience, and a unit toggle allows seamless switching between measurement systems.

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Software Screenshot

National Park Database

Originally developed as a collaborative React project during a Hacker Reactor coding program, the National Park Database lets users plan trips, browse parks by state, save favorites, and contribute reviews. After the initial version, I independently refactored the backend from FastAPI to a full MERN stack, added additional features, and fully deployed the frontend (Netlify) and backend (Render) with secure user authentication and persistent cloud storage.

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Contact I'm seeking opportunities to apply my skills to mission-driven projects—full-time, contract, or freelance.