UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Suat Irmak, professor and head of agricultural and biological engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been elected to the latest cohort of fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science.
Irmak is a recognized international expert in agricultural science, in soil and water resources engineering, and on the impact of climate change on water resources and agroecosystem productivity. The association honored him for his contributions and accomplishments in soil-water resources, irrigation engineering, evapotranspiration and surface energy and water vapor fluxes, climate science, technology transfer to citizens and implementation in agricultural production fields, as well as for educating next-generation scientists.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr. Suat Irmak’s election as an AAAS fellow, a well-earned recognition of his pioneering contributions to agricultural and biological engineering,” said Troy L. Ott, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. “His groundbreaking research in water management, precision agriculture and sustainable food systems has had a profound impact on global agricultural practices and environmental stewardship. At Penn State, we are fortunate to have his leadership and vision driving innovation that benefits society and is helping to shape a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
The author or co-author of more than 400 research publications, including more than 350 scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals, Irmak noted that he is both humbled and honored to be selected as an AAAS fellow by his peers to become part of such an esteemed and exceptional group of scientists.
“I have been fortunate to have an outstanding network of national and international colleagues, friends and collaborators as well as many outstanding graduate and undergraduate students, postdocs, research professors, technicians and technologists whom I had the pleasure of funding, supervising and working with over the years,” he said. “As an AAAS fellow, I am honored to be a part of a highly regarded organization that makes substantial contributions to science and makes significant efforts to foster respect for science and its crucial value and role in the betterment of our lives, our environment and ultimately our planet.”
Throughout his career, Irmak has recruited and trained students from underrepresented minority groups, including Native Americans. Fourteen of his more than 60 former graduate students are now faculty members at universities, and all other former students and postdoctoral scholars are employed by state and federal agencies or private industry.
Some of Irmak’s research products have been implemented into the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency national incentive programs and into operational handbooks.
Some of his innovative research and education programs and projects have been used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) undersecretary for research, education and economics as examples of signature programs in discussions in the U.S. Congress to justify continuation of Hatch and Smith Lever federal support funds for research and extension at land-grant universities.
Irmak also delivered presentations at the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Capitol Hill. He was invited by the policymakers’ leadership to deliver information on “Future Potential Challenges of U.S. Agriculture,” “Technology Implementation in Agriculture for Enhancing Crop Water Productivity” and “Climate Change Impacts on U.S. Agricultural Productivity and Water Resources.”
In addition, Irmak and his team were honored by the USDA undersecretary and the director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture with the prestigious USDA-NIFA Innovative Programs and Partnership Award for outstanding research, education and partnership programs.
Irmak serves on more than 15 national and international professional and scientific committees. He was selected to serve as a scientific and technical member of the National Water Resources Working Group, which developed a report titled “National Initiative on the Improvement of U.S. Water Security,” which was approved by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges Research Directors.
Irmak has been recognized by his peers and various professional institutions and has received 71 national and international and 38 local and regional awards for his excellence in research, teaching and extension. They include the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) John Deere Gold Medal Award — the highest honor in soil-water resources engineering — of which Irmak is the youngest recipient.
He also was the youngest recipient of the ASABE Heermann Sprinkler Irrigation Award. Among Irmak’s other ASABE honors were the ADS/Hancor Soil and Water Engineering Award, the Netafim Award for Advancement in Microirrigation, the Northeast Engineer of the Year Award, the Young Extension Professional Award and the New Holland Young Researcher Award. He is the first and only researcher to receive both of the last two awards since the society’s founding in 1907.
Other recognitions include the NASA Certificate of Service Appreciation for contribution and outstanding support to the Advanced Information Systems Technology Program in the NASA Earth Science Technology Office; the USDA-NIFA National Water and Energy Conservation Award; and the American Society of Civil Engineers Environmental and Water Resources Institute Excellence in Service Award.
Irmak came to Penn State in July 2021 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he was named Harold W. Eberhard Distinguished Professor in 2013. As a first-generation student, he received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural structures and irrigation engineering from Cukurova University, Adana/Turkiye; a master’s degree in soil and water resources and irrigation engineering from Mediterranean University, Antalya/Turkiye; and a doctoral degree in agricultural and biological engineering, with an emphasis in land and water resources engineering, from the University of Florida.
AAAS fellows elected in 2024 are honored in 2025. They will receive a certificate and a gold and blue rosette pin to commemorate their election and will be celebrated at a forum in Washington, D.C., in June.