Dr. William R. Ryan is a full professor at University of California-San Francisco specializing in head and neck oncologic surgery and management of inflammatory salivary disease.  Ryan co-directs UCSF's program in robotic head and neck surgery, clinic for thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and center for salivary gland surgery. He conducts research on outcomes and other aspects of head and neck surgery, salivary duct surgery, and head and neck radiology. In addition, he teaches UCSF medical students, residents and fellows. He is director of the UCSF advanced head and neck oncologic surgery fellowship, and also runs a year-long clinical research fellowship for medical students.

Ryan earned his medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. He completed a fellowship in advanced head and neck cancer and endocrine surgery at UCSF. He joined the UCSF faculty in 2011.

Ryan has authored over 100 peer-reviewed studies in medical journals and several book chapters. He has given over 200 invited lectures, scientific presentations, and panel participations around nationally, internationally, and at UCSF on various aspects of head and neck surgery, salivary duct surgery, and head and neck ultrasound,. He directs an annual UCSF-sponsored conference on updates in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery in Honolulu Hawaii and has and one on new techniques in salivary duct surgery.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys surfing, skiing, playing guitar, seeing live music, hiking, traveling and spending time with friends and family, especially his wife, daughter and son.