Thorsten Knappenberger · Soil Physics and Hydrology
International Involvement
My international work connects soil and water science with teaching, research, and practical training. Through academic visits, study abroad, fieldwork, and student mentoring, I work with colleagues and communities to share knowledge and develop opportunities for collaboration.
China
Summer teaching in environmental soil physics
Through the Auburn Institute at Huazhong Agricultural University, I teach Environmental Soil Physics in the summer. The course connects students with the physical processes that govern water and solute movement through soils. Teaching began remotely in 2020 and has provided a continuing opportunity for academic exchange.
Costa Rica
Research collaboration and international internships
Visits to CATIE and EARTH University in 2024 helped develop research collaboration and connections for hosting international interns at Auburn. This work brings together shared research interests and opportunities for students to gain experience in a different academic and cultural setting.
Italy
Learning through study abroad
My international teaching activities include study abroad in Italy. These experiences give students opportunities to encounter different agricultural and environmental settings firsthand, while connecting their education with people and places beyond the classroom.
Bucharest, Romania
Building an institutional connection
In 2023, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, creating a framework for academic cooperation. This institutional connection is part of my broader commitment to developing opportunities for international teaching, research, and exchange.
A history of exchange
Earlier collaboration, research, and training
2022
Trinidad and Tobago: Practical irrigation training
Through the Purdue University-led USAID Farmer-to-Farmer program, I trained 16 participants in Tobago over a 15-day visit. Training covered soil hydrology, crop water needs, drought management, and low-cost irrigation methods. Participants installed irrigation systems at their field sites. The visit also established connections with the University of the West Indies.
2020–2024
U.S. Virgin Islands: Soil erosion, water quality, and research support
I contributed to a University of the Virgin Islands NSF EPSCoR project examining how land use and soil cover affect erosion and surface-water quality. My contributions included experimental design, analysis of spatial and temporal data, and doctoral-student advising. In 2024, I also received USGS funding as a co-principal investigator for a Virgin Islands data-needs assessment.
2019
Honduras: Connecting recruitment with student opportunities
A faculty visit to Zamorano University helped strengthen connections with Auburn’s College of Agriculture. The visit led to two internships and an MS student at Auburn, linking institutional engagement with individual educational opportunities.
2017 and 2019
Belize: Soil health and conservation agriculture
As a fellow in the University of Florida-led Global Thinking Academy in 2017, I explored ways to connect global issues with classroom teaching and consulted with Ya’axché Conservation Trust scientists on alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture. A return visit in 2019 examined soil quality under different land uses in the Toledo District and included training in use of the NRCS soil test kit.
2018
Guyana: Water quality, food security, and farmer training
With Auburn colleagues, I visited Guyana to develop connections with Backpack International, the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, and local institutions. The work explored water quality, watershed management, and agricultural soil limitations, and included farmer training in alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture.
2017 and 2019
Cuba: Soil management and scientific exchange
Visits with Auburn colleagues established connections with Cuban agricultural institutions and scientists. Consultation and training at the Indio Hatuey Research Station addressed soil-management challenges. Follow-up work included a 2019 presentation at the Third International Seminar on Animal and Plant Health and discussions with faculty at the Agrarian University of Habana.
2009
Ukraine: Precision agriculture training
I provided a two-day training in precision farming and site-specific management for 60 members of the Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture.
2008
Romania: An early study-abroad program
While at the University of Hohenheim, I organized and conducted a one-week study-abroad program for 20 agricultural engineering students. The program examined agricultural production systems ranging from small-scale farming to large-scale crop production in the Danube basin.
International exchange also happens in the lab
Mentoring international interns, graduate students, and visiting researchers is another important part of this work. These exchanges connect field and laboratory experience with the ideas and perspectives that visitors bring to Auburn.
Interested in exploring a research or teaching connection? Contact Dr. Knappenberger.