With a long-standing research focus on the energy-water nexus and an aim to evaluate the links between scarce water resources and energy resources, Ryan Williams is now part of Texas Tech's Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. He serves as an assistant professor, said officials with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Williams grew up in the Pacific Northwest where the local economy was driven by the timber industry, fisheries and dairy farming. The structure of these towns was constantly challenged by pressure from environmental groups fighting for conservation, and Williams said his passion for these industries spurred him to pursue a career in economics, which would allow him to make policy-related contributions toward balancing conservation and production.

"Both of my parents were educators, so I grew up seeing the impact that they had on young people and wanted to share that opportunity, as well," Williams said. "Therefore a job which allows me to share my knowledge with students, as well as pursue policy-informing research, is the culmination of my two career passions."

Currently, the Eureka, Calif., native is teaching a fundamentals of agricultural and applied economics course. "I love teaching (the fundamentals) class because it is often the first course in microeconomics that students have ever taken and sometimes the last," Williams said. "I feel that it's an honor to introduce them to the topic and share with them the role that the subject plays in their lives."

Williams received his bachelor's degree in economics from Emory University and his master's degree in economics from North Carolina State University. His doctorate in economics is from Texas Tech.

Written by Kelsey Fletcher

CONTACT: Eduardo Segarra, Professor and Chairman, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2821 or eduardo.segarra@ttu.edu

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