The One-U Responsible Artificial Intelligence Initiative (One-U RAI) at the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) has selected a new cohort of faculty fellows — including Dr. Ryan Johnson from our Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CvEEN).

Johnson was recognized under the “Environment” thematic area for his work combining AI, hydroinformatics, and sustainability in water resources engineering.

Johnson’s research leverages AI to address water-resource challenges in the arid West, focusing on snow mapping, streamflow monitoring, and predictive modeling to inform water management.

“My work is driven by the need to integrate technical innovation with long-term sustainability,” he said. He uses AI-optimized monitoring stations, machine learning, and edge computing—processing data at potentially remote stations, as opposed to the cloud, to allow for real-time analysis.

Holding a PhD in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Utah, Johnson recently developed a hydroinformatics course that covers data science and computing while grounding students in responsible AI. As a fellow, he will develop auditable AI models for the Upper Colorado Basin—incorporating demographic data to prevent social or economic biases in decision-making—and create open-source tools to push his field forward.

With this fellowship, our department reinforces its commitment to sustainable infrastructure and water-resource resilience. We’re proud to support Ryan as he leverages cutting-edge AI to help secure water for communities across the West.

As part of the 2025 cohort of 12 One-U RAI Fellows selected campus-wide, five were from the Price College of Engineering — underscoring the College’s leadership in responsible AI research and application.

Learn more about the full cohort of One-U RAI Fellows across campus.

Ryan Johnson in the Hyrdaulics Lab.