PhD Student
Education
MBA, Business Administration, Utah State University
MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University
BS, Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
Bio
Paxton Ridgway is a hydrologist specializing in fluvial processes and post-disturbance landscape evolution. His research investigates the cascading impacts of wildfires on sediment transport, channel morphology, and downstream water security. His broader interests center on linking geomorphic processes to watershed resilience and on developing scalable frameworks to anticipate and mitigate post-wildfire impacts on river systems. He holds a BS in Environmental Studies (Hydrologic Sciences concentration) from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering (River Mechanics and Modeling concentration) from Utah State University’s Water Research Laboratory, where his thesis examined the geomorphic responses of post-fire debris flows on channel form in subalpine watersheds. Concurrently, he earned an MBA from Utah State's Huntsman School of Business, complementing his technical training with expertise in organizational strategy, decision analysis, and sustainable resource management.
Paxton's research is supported by the UC Regents and Lakhan-Pal Fellowships. Prior to Bren, he worked in both public and private sectors of water-resources engineering, gaining field experience in hydrologic monitoring and river restoration projects. In his spare time, you can find him on the ocean or exploring the mountains of the Western U.S.
Year Admitted
2025
Faculty Advisor(s)
Rafael Schmitt