Motivated by the need to sustainably support a growing world population, our research blends environmental and soil physics with agroecology. Inclusivity and equity drive our research topics, team culture, and community engagement. We study the physical properties that make soil habitable for organisms. Blending soil science, physics, and ecology, we generate knowledge supporting sustainable agriculture and food access. Our integrated approach furthers understanding of soils to benefit both people and the planet.
Recent Publications
Updates & News
Touyee Thao earned PhD
Celebrating Dr. Touyee Thao's remarkable PhD completion and his upcoming role as a USDA Research Scientist. Proud of his achievements and wishing him continued success!
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Hooding of Toshi & Manisha
Dr. Toshiyuki Bandai and Dr. Manisha Dolui successfully graduate with PhDs and move on to postdoctoral positions. Congratulations to both on their remarkable achievements!
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Toshi defended his dissertation.
Today, Toshiyuki Bandai accomplished a significant milestone by successfully defending his PhD dissertation. Congratulations, Toshi, on a remarkable achievement!
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Manisha defended her dissertation
Manisha Dolui, who was advised by Prof. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe until May 2022, successfuly defended her Ph.D. dissertation. Congratulations Dr. Dolui.
Read MoreResearch Projects
NASA Acres
Dynamic soil properties, such aggregation and disaggregation cycles and tilagge, and associated effects on flow and tranport in soils.
Waste to Food
Dynamic soil properties, such aggregation and disaggregation cycles and tilagge, and associated effects on flow and tranport in soils.
Machine Learning & AI
Physics-informed Neural Networks for modeling soil water dynamics and application of Machine Learning in soil and environmental problems.
AgroEcology
Conservation tillage, inter-cropping of native shrubs and food crops, and applications of organic amendments on water and nutrient use efficiency.
Courses
ESS 110 Hydrology & Climate
Basics of the hydrological cycle and the global climate system. Fundamentals of surface water hydrology, hydrometeorology, evaporation, precipitation, statistical and probabilistic methods, unit hydrograph and flood routing.
ESS 112 Subsurface Hydrology
Hydrologic and geologic factors controlling the occurrence and use of groundwater on regional and local scales. Physical, mathematical, geologic and engineering concepts fundamental to subsurface hydrologic processes. Introduction to ground-water flow and transport modeling, with emphasis on model construction and simulation.
ES 290 Nano Fabrication
This course will provide a survey of top-down and bottom-up techniques to fabricate nanoscale structures and devices, including but not limited to optical and electron lithography, nano imprinting, physical and chemical vapor deposition, and self-assembly. State-of-the-art methods for the characterization of fabricated structures and devices will also be introduced, including electron and scanning probe microscopy approaches.
For Prospective Students
Like what you see here? We would love to hear from you if you have interest to join our lab as a student or to collaborate with us. You can find out about admission and degree requirements and offerings by visiting the websites of the Graduate Division and Environmental Systems Graduate Program (links are below).
