Ryan Boyd

Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty Adviser: Mark Zondlo
Year of Study: G2
Undergraduate School: University of Washington
Undergraduate Major: Atmospheric Science

Personal Bio

Hello! My name is Ryan, I am a second year PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering. I attended undergrad at the University of Washington in Seattle, which is also where I grew up. In my free time I love playing and watching soccer (both national and abroad), spikeball, video games, hiking, and riding my bike.

I studied Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Science at the UW, and my undergrad research involved studying methane plumes in the former Soviet Union using satellite imagery. I was also an intern in the NASA Student Airborne Research Program, where I did a research project on the aerosolization of toxins from algae blooms. During this internship I discovered a love for field work and airborne science measurements, which is how I found the Atmospheric Chemistry and Composition group here at Princeton.

Fun Fact

I can not wait for the World Cup to be here in the US in 2026!

Research Pitch

In the Atmospheric Chemistry and Composition group, we use in-situ and remote measurements of trace gases in the atmosphere to better understand climate change and air quality. I mostly study ammonia (NH3), which is the most abundant alkaline (basic) gas in the atmosphere. NH3 plays a key role as a precursor for aerosol formation. Aerosols and particulate matter can have a huge impact on human health, and their radiative forcing effects are some of the biggest unknowns in a changing climate.

This past spring our group participated in an airborne science campaign in East Asia, where we flew an open-path ammonia instrument aboard the NASA DC-8. We have an abundance of data now, both of our own and from other species measured on board, and my present work is looking at the role of ammonia in aerosol formation over several different countries in Asia. While I am not sure if I will participate in ReMatch+, I am always happy to talk to anyone about my work, so feel free to email me at rb0319@princeton.edu.

Upcoming Programs That I Am Attending:

Plans for Summer 2025

Not available to participate in Summer ReMatch+ program.