Ryan is a Research Scientist in the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). He uses satellite and terrestrial based instruments to investigate geophysical changes along the surface using a suite of satellite and terrestrial remote sensing platforms. His recent projects include evaluating the impact of a granular proglacial ice mélange on tidewater glacier calving, investigating the influence of perennial firn aquifers on tidewater glacier dynamics, studying the links between climate change and cascading natural hazards, and applying synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for 3D ice flow derivations, land use change, and mapping of wildfire activity in near real time.