Rye's background is in astronomy and physics.
After leaving that field, Rye spent many years
working on nonprofit internet access and on
bicycle advocacy before returning to school for
environmental public health.
Rye has worked for the C8 Science Panel on PFAS
pollution; has held an AAAS Science & Technology
Policy Fellowship hosted within EPA’s Design for
the Environment program; worked extensively on the
EU's REACH regulation, including with the
European Environmental Bureau and other
NGOs; and worked in Dhaka, Bangladesh with the
Environment and Social Development Organization.