Ryan Webb

Ryan Webb is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering and Construction Management at the University of Wyoming, within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. His research integrates field observations, geophysical techniques, remote sensing, and modeling to study mountain hydrology, snow dynamics, and post-wildfire recovery processes.

Education:

• B.S. in Construction Engineering (2010)
• M.S. in Civil Engineering (2012)
• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (2016)

Research Interests: Dr. Webb’s work focuses on snow hydrology, mountain hydrology, unsaturated flow dynamics, remote sensing of snow, and the hydrological impacts of wildfire. His research aims to improve understanding of runoff generation, snow water storage, and terrain-mediated hydroclimate interactions in complex environments.

Publication Trends: His recent publications (2020–2024) emphasize the role of snowpacks in water storage and transmission, the use of remote sensing (especially GPR and InSAR) for snow monitoring, and the ecological and hydrological recovery after wildfires. There is a strong emphasis on field data validation, modeling, and interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly through NASA SnowEx and international projects.

Scientific Awards:

• NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Early Career Representative, AGU Cryosphere Focus Group

Advising and Grants: Dr. Webb advises multiple M.S. and Ph.D. students in civil engineering, focusing on topics such as post-wildfire recovery, remote sensing of snow, and soil sealing. His research is supported by grants from NASA, NSF, and the Bureau of Reclamation. He actively collaborates with institutions such as CU Boulder, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and international partners in Spain and Australia.

Labs and Teams: He leads the Mountain Hydrology Research Group at the University of Wyoming and was previously director of the Hydraulics Lab at the University of New Mexico. His team includes graduate and undergraduate researchers working on diverse aspects of snow and post-fire hydrology.