Dr. Ryburn joined the Biology Department of OCU in August of 2009.  He earned his B.S. from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1998, and his Ph.D. in Plant Science from Oklahoma State University in 2003 under the direction of Ronald J. Tyrl. Prior to this Dr. Ryburn taught at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta.

As a plant taxonomist, the focus of his research is the classification and identification of plants.  He has started working with other state botanists to construct a Flora of Oklahoma.

In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Ryburn serves the University on a number of capacities on and off campus. He is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, American Society of Plant Taxonomists, Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society, Botanical Society of America, Southwest Association of Naturalists, and Oklahoma Academy of Science.

Originally from Anadarko, he  and his lovely wife Maranda reside in Mustang with their two children; one son, Addison, and one daughter, Madalyn.

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