State Advisory Committee

With more than two decades of experience at the U.S. Geological Survey, Ryberg has become a nationally recognized expert in hydrology, environmental statistics, flood-frequency analysis, and water-quality trends. Her work bridges rigorous science, team development, and public mission, revitalizing teams, mentoring emerging scientists, and delivering actionable research that shapes policy and protects public safety.

Ryberg has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, taught statistics to hundreds of scientists, and published extensively on pesticide trends in rivers and streams. Her research has been cited in the New York Times, and she co-authored both the Northern Great Plains chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment and a widely used textbook on statistical methods.

Nygren worked for the ND Department of Water Resources initially as a Water Resource Engineer with the NDSWC Development Division Investigations Section and as a Hydrologist with the NDSWC Water Appropriation Division. He has a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from University of North Dakota.

Larsen focuses on incorporating aquatic species of interest into the State Wildlife Action Plan, as well as providing environmental project review. Prior to that, he worked with the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ), Division of Water Quality for 17 years. Of those, 13 years were spent as an Environmental Scientist coordinating biological monitoring activities of fish, macroinvertebrates, periphyton and geomorphology on North Dakota waterbodies to assess aquatic life use attainment and IBI development, in addition to supporting the National Aquatic Resource Surveys. The last four years of his tenure with NDDEQ was spent as an Environmental Administrator for the Watershed Management Program coordinating water quality assessments, nonpoint source program activities, impaired waters listing, TMDL development and serving as Co-chair of the Water Quality Committee for the International Red River Watershed Board. Aaron is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries and wildlife biology.

Brent received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from NDSU and an M.S. degree in Water Resource Engineering from NDSU. Since joining the US Geological Survey in 2003, he has held various roles with the agency including QA/QC coordinator, Supervisory Hydrologist, and Surface Water Specialist. Brent specializes in surface water hydrology and hydraulics.

Libunao received a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from Humboldt State University and a M.S. in Environmental Science with a focus in environmental toxicology from the University of Idaho. Prior to joining the Division of Water at the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality in 2024, where he manages the Special Project and Water Quality Standards Program, he was an affiliate researcher at IWRRI.

Libunao's background in large scale water quality reconnaissance of bioaccumulative contaminants in aquatic systems lends itself to his current water quality criteria development work, including large inter-basin water transfers, stressor and response relationships in lakes, and policy development protecting waters of the state. Active interests in the Special Projects program include selenium bioaccumulation and monitoring, mercury fish consumption advisories, nutrient response modeling and numeric criteria derivation.