International Engagement

Costa Rica (2024)

Visited CATIE and EARTH Universities to discuss potential study abroad programs and internship opportunities for Auburn students. The trip led to development of a Tropical Conservation and Sustainability Minor with faculty from the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and the Environment.

US Virgin Islands (2020–present)

Collaborator on an NSF EPSCoR project with the University of the Virgin Islands evaluating land use and soil cover effects on soil erosion and surface water quality, advising a Ph.D. student on experimental design and spatial/temporal data analysis. In 2024, received USGS funding as co-PI for a data needs assessment for the Virgin Islands.

Trinidad and Tobago (2022)

Participated in the Purdue University-led USAID Farmer-to-Farmer program. During a 15-day visit, trained 16 participants of Tobago’s Unemployment Relief Program in alternative, low-cost irrigation methods, soil hydrology, crop water needs, and drought management, and helped install low-cost irrigation systems at field sites. Established collaborations with the University of the West Indies.

China (2020–present)

Part of the Auburn Institute at Huazhong Agricultural University, providing instruction, training, and research collaboration between the two institutions. Taught Environmental Soil Physics online via Zoom each summer from 2020–2024, reaching as many as 200 undergraduate and graduate students in a single offering.

Honduras (2019)

Participated in a graduate student recruiting trip to Zamorano University, a top-ranked institution in Honduras with many US partnerships. The trip led to two interns and one MS graduate student at Auburn.

Belize (2017, 2019–present)

Worked with the Ya’axché Conservation Trust to evaluate climate-smart agricultural methods in the Toledo District, assessing soil quality across land uses and training staff on NRCS soil testing. Also participated in the University of Florida-led Global Thinking Academy as a fellow, focused on teaching global issues like climate change in the classroom.

Cuba (2017, 2019)

Visited Cuba to establish research collaboration with Cuban institutions including the Agrarian University of Habana, the national soil institute, CENSA, and the Indio Hatuey Research Station. Provided consultation and training on soil management, later presenting findings at the Third International Seminar on Animal and Plant Health in Varadero.

Guyana (2018)

Traveled to Guyana to establish collaborations between Auburn University, Backpack International, and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, aimed at improving water quality, food security, and watershed management in the village of Ross. Trained local farmers in alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture.

Ukraine (2009)

Provided a two-day training for 60 members of the Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture on precision farming and site-specific management.

Romania (2008)

Organized and led a one-week study abroad program for 20 agricultural engineering students, observing agricultural production systems ranging from subsistence farming to large-scale crop production in the Danube basin.