Recent Publications
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/urine.jpg)
Nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization dynamics in human excreta-derived fertilizers
Bischak, E. et al.
Frontiers in Agronomy
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Learning Constitutive Relations From Soil Moisture Data via Physically Constrained Neural Networks
Bandai, T. et al.
Water Resources Research
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/floodplain.png)
Carbon stock quantification in a floodplain restoration chronosequence along a ...
Clifton, B. et al.
Science of Total Environment
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/fivepoints.png)
No-tillage, surface residue retention, and cover crops improved San Joaquin Valley soil health ...
Mitchell, J. et al.
California Agriculture
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Estimating soil hydraulic properties from oven-dry to full saturation using shortwave infrared ...
Bandai, T. et al.
Journal of Hydrology
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A novel approach for determining soil carbohydrates using UV spectrophotometry
Albalasmeh, A.A. et al.
J. Saudi Soc. Agric. Sci.
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Soil physics matters for the land–water–food–climate nexus and sustainability
Wang, G. et al.
Eur. J. Soil Sci.
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/compost-aggregate.jpg)
Methane and nitrous oxide emissions during biochar-composting are driven by biochar application rate ...
Harrison, B. et al.
GCB-Bioenergy
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/biochar_tomato.jpg)
The effects of different biochar-dairy manure co-composts on soil moisture and nutrients retention...
Thao, T. et al.
Agro. Geo. & Environ.
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/biochar_compost_field.jpg)
Biochar co-compost improves nitrogen retention and reduces carbon emissions in a winter wheat...
Gao, S. et al.
GCB-Bioenergy
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/infil_review.jpg)
How does soil structure affect water infiltration? A meta-data systematic review
Basset, C. et al.
Soil & Tillage Res.
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/PINNs.png)
Forward & inverse modeling of water flow in unsaturated soils with discontinuous hydraulic conduc....
Bandai, T & Ghezzehei, T.A.
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.
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Artificial soils reveal individual factor controls on microbial processes.
Del Valle, I. et al.
mSystems
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Dairy Manure Co-composting with Wood Biochar Plays a Critical Role in Meeting Global Methane Goals
Harrison, B.P. et al.
Env. Sci. & Tech.
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Long-Term Impact of Cover Crop & Reduced Disturbance Tillage on Soil Pore Size & Soil Water Storage
Araya, S.A. et al.
SOIL
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Confronting the water potential information gap.
Novik, K.A. et al.
Nature Geoscience
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Synergy between compost & cover crops in a Mediterranean row crop system leads to increased subsoil...
Rath, D. et al.
SOIL
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/casi.jpeg)
No-tillage sorghum and garbanzo yields match or exceed standard tillage yields
Mitchell, J.P. et al.
California Agriculture
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/phenology.png)
Intercropping with Guiera senegalensis in a semi-arid area to mitigate early-season abiotic stress...
Bayala, R. et al.
J. Agronomy & Crop Sci.
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/intercropping.png)
An overlooked local resource--Shrub-intercropping for food production, drought resistance and ecosystem...
Bright, MBH, et al.
Agricul., Ecosys. & Env.
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Advances in soil moisture retrieval from multispectral remote sensing using unoccupied aircraft systems...
Araya, S.A., et al.
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.,
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/pinn.png)
Physics-informed neural networks with monotocnicity constraints for Richardson-Richards equation...
Bandai, T. & T.A. Ghezzehei
Water Resour. Res.
![Graphical Abstract](images/icon/Tomato-Fruit.png)
Root uptake under mismatched distributions of water and nutrients in the root zone.
Yan, J. et al.
Biogeosciences
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Modeling Near-surface Water Redistribution in a Desert Soil.
Luo, Y. et al.
Vadose Zone Journal
Updates & News
![Graphical Abstract](/images/news/2024-06-06-jalyn.png)
Let’s BRAAG about Jalynn
NASA ACRES blog--Let’s BRAAG about Jalynn Greer, a Kentucky State University Scholar who is Bridging a Career Path in Nursing and Agriculture success!
Read More![Graphical Abstract](/images/news/2024-05-09-kennedy.png)
Kennedy's BRAAG experience
NASA ACRES blog--Learning by Doing, Basia Skudrzyk interviewed a Howard Scholar, Kennedy Williams' about he journey with the BRAAG program
Read More![Graphical Abstract](/images/news/2023-05-12-graduation-1.jpg)
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!
Read More![Graphical Abstract](/images/news/2022-12-16-graduation.jpg)
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!
Read MoreOur Mission
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.
Do you 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 Environmental Systems Graduate Program.
Research Areas
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NASA Acres
Dynamic soil properties, such aggregation and disaggregation cycles and tilagge, and associated effects on flow and tranport in soils.
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Waste to Food
Dynamic soil properties, such aggregation and disaggregation cycles and tilagge, and associated effects on flow and tranport in soils.
![Graphical Abstract](images/splash/splash_pinn.jpg)
Machine Learning & AI
Physics-informed Neural Networks for modeling soil water dynamics and application of Machine Learning in soil and environmental problems.
![Graphical Abstract](images/splash/splash_agroecol.jpg)
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.