I’m an assistant professor in UC Santa Barbara’s Environmental Studies Program and lead the River System Science & Sustainability (RS³) Lab. My work helps define river system science, viewing rivers as connected natural-social-engineered systems, and uses that lens to design sustainable infrastructure, maintain natural river processes, and reduce human exposure to hydrologic hazards. Before UCSB, I led water research efforts at Stanford’s Natural Capital Project with agencies, MDBs, and NGOs. I’ve published widely (e.g., Nature, PNAS, Nature Sustainability, ERL, WRR) and focus on open, decision-relevant science.
Contact & Academic Profiles:
Paxton Ridgway is a hydrologist with experience in river restoration and water resources engineering across the Western U.S. After earning his B.Sc. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara, he worked on fluvial restoration projects in California and Nevada before pursuing graduate studies at Utah State University. There, he completed an M.Sc. in River Mechanics and Modeling, focusing on the geomorphic impacts of wildfires and debris flows, alongside an MBA that broadened his perspective on the leadership and financial aspects of environmental challenges.
His current research examines how wildfires and sediment dynamics interact with rivers and water infrastructure, with the aim of supporting more sustainable river management. Beyond his work, Paxton is passionate about the outdoors, often spending his free time on the ocean or exploring the mountains.
Zhaowei Ding is a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project, where she studies sustainable pathways for water–energy–food–ecosystem systems under climate change. Her previous research in the Amazon Basin highlighted the crucial role of irrigation management in shaping a sustainable future, work that was featured by Stanford Energy. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as degrees in Physical Geography and Urban and Regional Planning from Beijing Normal University and Beijing Forestry University.
Her broader interests lie in understanding the hydrological, ecological, and social processes that drive watershed-scale management. Alongside her research, Zhaowei teaches Oceanography and Meteorology at Cascadia College in Washington, where she emphasizes experiential learning, inquiry-driven instruction, and real-world problem-solving to inspire the next generation of critical thinkers.
At the Schmitt Lab for River System Science and Sustainability, we explore rivers as living networks, essential for a sustainable future. Our work integrates systems thinking with socio-environmental management to create innovative solutions for global challenges.
If you’re passionate about science, nature, and the future of rivers, this is the place for you.
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We are always looking for talented researchers to join the team. Opportunities for postdoctoral fellowships and PhD support depend on available funding; current openings are posted on our Jobs page (link). If no positions are listed, we can work together to identify suitable scholarships or fellowships and, where appropriate, prepare applications before you start. If you are interested in joining RS³, please email Rafael with a few lines outlining your research interests, a brief plan for what you would like to work on, and why RS³ would be a good fit.
I admit Ph.D students mostly through the Bren School’s PhD in Environmental Science and Management. Usually, admission begins in early September and closes December 15 each year. Admissions depend on funding on your alignment with our research interests. If you consider applying, please reach out to Rafael after reviewing the following information here.
In the RS3 lab we ar exceited to integrate undergrads into our research! We offer opportunities in the form of honors contract and RA ships (depending on research needs and funding). If you are interested in river science or engineering, please contact Rafael and include a short message on (1) your interests and (2) why you would like to join the team.
