Current Research

Most recently, our expertise has been focused on enhancing and developing capabilities to address the potential for environmental transmission of COVID-19. This research is helping states, tribes, local, and territorial governments, including public health agencies, guide businesses and institutions to reduce the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).

Why This Science Matters

I have the honor of working with the world’s leading scientists and engineers devoted to solving our most complex environmental challenges. Our research prepares EPA to better respond to a chemical, biological or radiological incident. Through our research, we work to ensure that EPA has the capabilities and is prepared to effectively address the consequences of the intentional or unintentional release of chemical, biological, or radiological agents into our environment.

Education and Professional Development

2017-2018 Mentor in EPA’s Leaders and Learners Mentoring Program
2013 Federal Executive Institute, Leaders for a Democratic Society
2011 EPA Successful Leaders Program
2006 Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2001 B.S. in Environmental Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Awards

2017 ORD Teamwork Award
2016 EPA Gold Medal Award for Exceptional Service - Ebola Response Team
2016 EPA Bronze Medal for Commendable Service
2015 EPA National Honor Award - Managerial Leadership Award
2015 ORD Impact Award
2015 Exceptional Technical Support to Regions/Program Offices
2015 Scientific and Technical Achievement Award, Level III - Development and Application of Test Methods to Evaluate Biological Terror Agent Surface Sampling
2014 Exceptional Technical Support to Regions/Program Offices
2013 Exceptional Technical Support to Regions/Program Offices
2013 Scientific and Technical Achievement Award, Level III - Advancing State-of-the-Art Technology to Measure Diox/Furan Emissions from Combustion Sources in Near Time
2013 Scientific and Technical Achievement Award, Honorable Mention - Research to Support Wide-Area Decontamination
2012 Exceptional Technical Support to Regions/Program Offices
2012 EPA Bronze Medal for Commendable Service
2012 EPA PeerOvation Notable Innovation Award
2012 Scientific and Technical Achievement Award, Honorable Mention - Developing a Novel Spore Surface Deposition Method
2011 ORD Teamwork Award
2011 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Appreciation Award
2010 Exceptional Technical Support to Regions/Program Offices
2010 Scientific and Technical Achievement Award, Honorable Mention - Studies Examining the Emissions of Halogenated Dioxin/Furans During Combustion of Coal for Energy Generation
2008 ORD Teamwork Award
2007 Scientific and Technical Achievement Award, Level III - The Development of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for B. anthracis Surrogate Spore Detection
2005 Scientific and Technical Achievement Award, Honorable Mention - Determination of Vapor Pressures of PCDDs/Fs at Temperatures Consistent with Their Formation and Control
2003 USEPA-NRMRL Investigator Initiative Award
2001 USEPA-APPCD Exploratory Research Program Award

EPA Publications

Shawn Ryan's research publications in the EPA Science Inventory
Science Matters Newsletter: Meet EPA Engineer Shawn Ryan, Ph.D.

Related Resources

Homeland Security Research Program
Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER)
Contact CESER