She is a translational researcher combining the fields of cancer control, dermatology, and radiation oncology. She has expertise in cancer pathobiology, virology, and clinical research and trial design, with publications in lung cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, Epstein–Barr virus, and cancer treatment-related symptoms. The primary focus of Dr Ryan's research is cancer treatment symptom management, specifically radiation dermatitis and chemotherapy-related nausea.