Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 2016
  • M.S., Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, 2010
  • B.S., Organismal and Conservation Biology, San Jose State University, 2007
Academic Appointments
  • University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Assistant Professor (Adjunct)
Professional Affiliations
  • Entomological Society of America, member since 2013
  • Ecological Society of America, member since 2010

Dr. Ryan is a broadly trained biologist with over 10 years of experience evaluating the ecological impacts of environmental changes. His work includes expertise on topics such as climate change, invasive species, agricultural systems, fire ecology, entomology, and population genetics. 

Dr. Ryan uses a variety of analytical tools that include molecular genetics, bioinformatics, simulation modeling, and statistical and quantitative methods to assess genetic and ecological changes across landscapes and over time. He has used genomic analyses to uncover historical invasion routes and has assessed the ecological and genetic consequences to historical changes in climate. He develops interactive visualizations to facilitate data exploration and scientific communication. His expertise also includes the development, use, and evaluation of publicly generated data (citizen science) to address research questions, for example, in agriculture and food research.