ESCI

Department Overview

The Department of Environmental Sciences at Western Washington University focuses on the scientific study of environmental systems. ESCI students and faculty work to understand, analyze, and solve complex environmental problems through rigorous fieldwork, laboratory research, and data analysis. The program blends biology, chemistry, geology, and physics with applied environmental science, preparing graduates for careers in research, industry, and environmental management.

Key Contacts & Leadership

Chair (2024–25): Ruth Sofield – Professor & Department Chair – ruth.sofield@wwu.edu - 360‑650‑2181
Incoming Acting Chair (2025–26): John Rybczyk – Professor – john.rybczyk@wwu.edu – 360‑650‑2081
Robin Matthews is on leave through 26
Department Manager
- Ridley Williams – Department Manager – willi488@wwu.edu – 360‑650‑3891
- Sarah McCully – Fiscal Specialist – mcculls3@wwu.edu – 360‑650‑2166
Department Office Location: Environmental Studies building, ES522
General Department Contact: 360‑650‑2844 | ESCI Department Website

Faculty

Name	Title	Room	Lab	Email

Name	Title	Room	Lab	Email
Charles Barnhart	Professor	ES337	ES310	charles.barnhart@wwu.edu
Brian Bingham	Director of Marine and Coastal Science	SL236C	n/a	bingham@wwu.edu
Andy Bunn	Professor	ES346	ES409	andy.bunn@wwu.edu
Rebecca Bunn	Professor	ES334	ES306	bunnr@wwu.edu
Morgan Eisenlord	Instructor	ES522	n/a	eisenlm@wwu.edu
Gregory Green	Senior Instructor	ES522	n/a	greeng5@wwu.edu
Marco Hatch	Professor	ES341	ES424	hatchm5@wwu.edu
James Helfield	Professor	ES338	ES303	james.helfield@wwu.edu
Sam Kastner	Assistant Professor	AH458	ES430	kastnes@wwu.edu
Alia Khan	Associate Professor	ES440	ES518A & ES410	khana8@wwu.edu
Robin Kodner	Professor	ES323	n/s	kodnerr@wwu.edu
Wayne Landis	Research Professor	ES514	n/a	wayne.landis@wwu.edu
Brooke Love	Professor	ES435	ES405	brooke.love@wwu.edu
John McLaughlin	Professor	ES434	n/a	john.mclaughlin@wwu.edu
Erika McPhee-Shaw	Professor	ES343	ES430A	erika.mcphee-shaw@wwu.edu
Manuel Montaño	Associate Professor	ES437	n/a	montanm2@wwu.edu
Ian Moran	Visiting Assistant Professor	AH458	n/a	morani@wwu.edu
Cathy Reidy Liermann	Senior Instructor; Internship Coordinator for CENV Peninsulas	ES522	n/a	reidylc@wwu.edu
Ralph Riley	Senior Instructor	ES522	n/a	rileyr@wwu.edu
John Rybczyk	Professor Acting Chair	ES336	ES301	john.rybczyk@wwu.edu
Imran Sheikh	Associate Professor	AH304	ES310	sheikhi@wwu.edu
David Shull	Professor	ES445	ES423	david.shull@wwu.edu
Froylán Sifuentes	Associate Professor	AH310	n/a	froylan.sifuentes@wwu.edu
Kathryn Sobocinski	Associate Professor, Marine and Coastal Science	ES345	ES308	kathryn.sobocinski@wwu.edu
Chris Trinies	Instructor	ES522	n/a	triniec@wwu.edu
David Wallin	Professor	ES342	n/a	wallin@wwu.edu

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