Professional society names Ale Texas Agricultural Engineer of the Year
Texas section award recognizes leadership and contributions to agricultural engineering
Srinivasulu Ale, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research agrohydrologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Vernon, has been named the 2024 Agricultural Engineer of the Year by the Texas section of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, ASABE.
The award honors Ale’s leadership and service contributions within ASABE, including support for agricultural engineering initiatives, and contributions to agricultural water management, soil and water conservation, and the agricultural engineering profession.
A legacy of leadership
Ale is also a professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and an affiliated member of the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture.
He has served ASABE at the state and national level, holding multiple leadership positions over the years.
Among the positions he has held for the Texas section are chair of the nominating committee; past chair; chair; chair-elect; vice-chair of program and plans; and chair of the awards committee.
At the national level, he is currently serving as the vice-chair of the ASABE Meetings Council. He previously served as the technical program chair of the ASABE annual international meeting and has been chair of seven committees.
“I am honored that I have had the opportunity to serve ASABE in various capacities,” Ale said. “I have been fortunate to have great mentors who have really inspired me to do good work and excellent team members who have made valuable contributions to my research program.”
About Ale’s research
Ale’s research focuses on developing and evaluating climate-resilient, regenerative agricultural strategies for conserving soil and water, enhancing crop water productivity and protecting soil and water quality in diverse agroecosystems.
As a primary investigator and a co-investigator, Ale has secured 36 competitive grants, including 17 federal grants, totaling more than $22 million. He has published 106 refereed journal articles, three book chapters and has delivered more than 200 volunteer and 30 invited presentations.
“I strongly believe Dr. Ale’s work has a true impact on agricultural production in the Texas High Plains and Rolling Plains regions,” said Fouad Jaber, Ph.D., professor and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Servicespecialist, Dallas.
As one of the individuals who nominated Ale for the award, Jaber said Ale’s work “allows producers to maximize profit while conserving water and improving soil health.”
Academic background and professional recognition
Ale earned his doctorate in agricultural and biological engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana; his master’s in agricultural engineering from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, India; and his bachelor’s in agricultural engineering from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University in Hyderbad, India.
Ale’s current award is the fifth honor he has received from ASABE. His past honors include:
- Educational Aids Blue Ribbon award.
- Superior Paper award.
- Outstanding Associate Editor award.
- Outstanding Reviewer award.
Additionally, he received the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology Educational Materials award and the Research Excellence award from the Texas A&M Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
