Sherry Ryan

Sherry Ryan is a Professor in the Department of Public Affairs at Baruch College's Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, leveraging over 25 years of academic leadership and public policy expertise. Her work bridges transportation planning, urban design, and public health with real-world applications for government agencies and community organizations.

Her educational foundation includes:

• M.S. in Civil Engineering from University of California, Irvine
• Ph.D. in Transportation Science from University of California, Irvine
• B.A. in Romance Languages and Latin American Studies from Princeton University

Dr. Ryan's research centers on transportation policy and urban planning with strong public health integration, particularly examining how built environments influence physical activity and health equity. She specializes in active transportation infrastructure (biking/walking), community-based interventions for underserved populations, and translating academic research into practical policy solutions. Her work frequently addresses gender disparities in transportation access and health outcomes among Latinx communities through innovative methodologies like faith-based randomized trials.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent interdisciplinary trajectory where transportation engineering converges with public health epidemiology. Key trends include community-engaged research designs, equity-focused urban metrics, and evidence-based interventions targeting vulnerable populations—particularly through faith-based and neighborhood-level partnerships.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• State of California APA Planning Advocate Award (2020)
• Transportation Research Record Outstanding Paper Award (2019)
• CDC Excellence in Safety Research (2015)
• Two SDSU Most Influential Public Administration Faculty Awards (2011, 2005)

Dr. Ryan has secured substantial grant funding for community-based transportation and health initiatives, often through multi-agency collaborations with county governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and nonprofits. Her advisory work extends to federal and local transportation safety programs, with emphasis on pedestrian infrastructure and health impact assessments. She actively mentors students through cross-curricular projects connecting urban policy with community health outcomes.

Her research approach emphasizes practical implementation through county-MPO-university partnerships, as demonstrated in regional active transportation monitoring systems and border health equity transportation studies.