Irmak earns fourth fellowship from another leading scientific society

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Suat Irmak, Penn State professor of soil and water resources engineering and surface energy balance in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Engineering, has been honored with another fellowship from the American Society of Agronomy. He will receive the award at the society’s annual international conference in Portland, Oregon.

The society, established in 1907, is the leading scientific and professional organization in the United States and worldwide dedicated to advancing agronomy and sustainable agricultural practices. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, it serves more than 6,000 members and 12,000 certified crop advisers, facilitating the development, dissemination and application of innovative solutions to improve agricultural operations and productivity.

“I am honored to be a member of this exceptional scientific society and interact with and learn from outstanding peers,” Irmak said. “This society has been making substantial contributions to not only advancing science but also serving stakeholders in many different areas to enhance their operations and well-being, which is a critical part of our land-grant mission. I also am honored that my peers considered me worthy of the ASA Fellow honor.”

Irmak also holds fellowships in the American Society for the Advancement of Science, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Environmental and Water Resources Institute.

He said his leadership philosophy emphasizes leading by example, fostering an inclusive environment, respecting diversity and equity, maintaining transparency, and serving others. He said he encourages collaboration across multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams to help the department maintain its standing as one of the nation's leading programs.

Irmak said his commitment to the land-grant mission has shaped his research, extension and teaching programs. His work has focused on serving the public and stakeholders, and his peers recognize him for his contributions to the field and for advancing extension's visibility at the national and international levels.

His research has led to the development and adoption of innovative technologies to conserve soil and water resources and enhance agricultural productivity and production efficiency by utilizing engineering fundamentals and scientific principles.

Irmak’s integration of research, extension, outreach and teaching has led to large-scale, substantial savings in water resources, reduced chemical leaching into ground- and surface water resources, and enhanced yield and productivity. His efforts have resulted in more than $384 million in savings by reducing fuel use for water withdrawals in agriculture. Another significant impact of his research and education program was a total reduction of about 900,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in irrigated agriculture.

“Suat Irmak is an accomplished scientist and educator who is a leader in soil and water resources engineering,” said Troy Ott, Peter and Ann Tombros Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. “This is the highest recognition bestowed by the American Society of Agronomy. Members of the society nominate worthy colleagues based on their professional achievements and meritorious service, and we are pleased that Suat’s accomplishments continue to be recognized by his peers.”

Irmak has presented his research and extension/public education programs on climate change and its impacts on United States agriculture and water resources before the U.S. Congress. These discussions focused on how his large-scale programs could be adapted for use in other states, the challenges climate change poses to the future of the nation’s agricultural productivity, and the resources and strategies needed to address them.

He also highlighted research, education and funding priorities that Congress should consider supporting to disseminate science-based, unbiased information, data and knowledge that help stakeholders improve agricultural productivity, increase production efficiency, and strengthen the economic returns for U.S. farmers.

His research program has received numerous national and international awards and recognition, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s National Innovative Programs and Partnership Award for large-scale impact and for advancing agricultural science. Other significant recognition includes the National Award in the Innovative Extension Methods and Impact Assessment, awarded by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

He served as a scientist on the National Water Resources Working Group, formed by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Board on Agricultural Assembly and its Policy Board of Directors.

Irmak has advised/mentored 68 doctoral and 30 master’s degree students as a major adviser and served on 38 advisory committees. He also supervised and mentored 14 postdoctoral students, four research professors, and four research technicians and technologists.

A highly cited scientist, Irmak has authored more than 450 publications, including 289 peer-reviewed journal articles, one book, five book chapters, 57 technical and scientific conference proceedings, and 63 peer-reviewed extension, outreach and educational publications with more than 17,000 citations.

He also developed some of the first smartphone apps for soil, water resources and irrigation engineering, including one of the most widely used irrigation apps in the field. In addition, he has written 45 regional and national outreach magazine articles and more than 150 technical research reports. Irmak has delivered more than 550 technical, scientific and educational presentations, including more than 200 keynote addresses, at local, regional, national and international conferences.

He has obtained more than $13 million in external grants to support his research, extension, and teaching and learning programs.