L. Sebastian Bryson, Ph.D., P.E., BC.GE, F. ASCE

Hardin-Drnevich-Huang Professor, Joint Appointment in Earth and Environmental Sciences; Department Chair

My research interest focuses on applied geotechnics and includes landslide hazard assessment and prediction, laboratory testing of geologic materials, field instrumentation and monitoring of earth and earth-supported systems, numerical modeling of geotechnical systems, geophysics geotechnics, and performance of civil infrastructure. The intent of my research efforts is to develop innovative methodologies and technologies, centered on increased resiliency and sustainability of civil and geotechnical infrastructure.

Landslide Hazard Prediction and Assessment

Infrastructure Response to Severe Events

Laboratory Testing of Geologic Materials

Numerical Modeling Geotechnical Systems

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering , Northwestern University 12/2002

M.Eng. in Civil Engineering ,  Howard University  5/1992

B.S. in Civil Engineering, Florida A&M University  5/1987

Professor, University of Kentucky: 7/2021 - present

Associate Professor, University of Kentucky: 7/2012 – 6/2021

Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky: 8/2006 – 7/2012

Assistant Professor Ohio University 11/2001 – 6/2006

GE Faculty Intern Northwestern University 9/2000 – 9/2001

Teaching and Research Assistant Northwestern University 9/1998 – 9/2000

Geotechnical Engineer CH2M HILL, Inc. 1/1992 – 9/1998

Research Engineer Federal Highway Administration 1/1990 – 1/1992

• Romana-Giraldo, J., and Bryson, L.S. (2026). “Geophysics-Based Model for Determining Effective Stress in Soft Soils,” ASTM Geotechnical Testing Journal, 49(1), 136-162. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ20240188.
• O’Leary, N., Bryson, L.S., Crawford, M.M., and Dortch, J.M. (2025). “Workflow for Developing Landslide Hazard Maps for Shallow Colluvial Soils,” Journal of Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Springer, 43(8), 413.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-025-03396-5.
• Bryson, L.S., Mahmoodabadi, M., and Gomez-Gutierrez, I.C. (2025). “Critical State-Based Model for Simulated Weathering Effects on Compacted Crushed Shales,” Journal of Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Springer, 43(7), 331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-025-03304-x.
• Acheampong, L., and Bryson, L.S. (2025). “Estimation of Unsaturated Small-Strain Shear Modulus in a Laboratory Test Box and Field Site from a Soil-Water Characteristic Curve,” Transportation Geotechnics, 52, 101599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2025.101599.
• Acheampong, L., and Bryson, L.S. (2025). “Development of a Scaling Function to Estimate Unsaturated Mechanical Soil Behavior from a Soil-Water Characteristic Curve,” Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 62:1-20. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2023-0658.
• Rizzo, R.J., and Bryson, L.S. (2025). “Integrating Surface Reflectance from Multispectral Satellite Imagery and GIS-Enabled Lidar-Derived Techniques for Sinkhole Hazard Detection,” Environmental Earth Sciences, Springer, 84(8), 225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-025-12212-5.
• Francis, D.M., and Bryson, L.S. (2025). “Rainfall-Induced Landslide Hazard Analyses using Spatiotemporal Retrievals of Soil Moisture and Geomorphologic Data,” Environmental Earth Sciences, Springer, 84(8), 201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-025-12209-0.
• Francis, D.M.., and Bryson, L.S. (2025). “Coupled Landslide Analyses Through Dynamic Susceptibility and Forecastable Hazard Analysis,” Natural Hazards Journal, Springer, 121(3), 2971–2999. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-024-06908-3.