Ruby Lang

About Ruby Lang

Water is often treated like a technical problem. I have learned it is also a relationship.I am a water resources engineer at West Yost, where I work on water system planning, drought resilience, and regulatory compliance for communities across the western United States. My role focuses on helping systems prepare for uncertainty, invest wisely, and remain reliable in a changing climate.I grew up near the Colorado Rockies, where the natural world felt both powerful and instructive. Being close to water taught me early that it is not only something we manage, but something we depend on, learn from, and are responsible to care for. That perspective continues to shape how I approach engineering, sustainability, and community-centered work.My graduate research explored water quality testing for pathogens using colorimetric nanosensors. While the science was complex, the lesson was simple: solutions only matter if they are accessible, trusted, and rooted in real-world needs. That understanding has followed me into my professional work, where the most meaningful progress often happens when technical knowledge is paired with listening, collaboration, and respect for place.I am especially interested in resilience and stewardship, and in the spaces where engineering meets lived experience. I believe the strongest solutions are built through reciprocity, across disciplines, and in partnership with the people and ecosystems they affect. I am committed to work that honors those connections, and to continuing to learn how to design with care.

Experience

1. Engineer Ii

   West Yost

   Jan 2022 — Present · Bend, OR, US

Education

• California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

  Bachelor’s Degree, Environmental Engineering

  2015 — 2019

• Cal Poly Engineering

  Master of Science - MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering

  2019 — 2020