Saurav Kumar joins Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso
Writer: Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, [email protected]
Contacts: Dr. Saurav Kumar, 915- 859-9111, [email protected]
Dr. Ping Sheng, 915- 859-9111, [email protected]
EL PASO– Dr. Saurav Kumar has joined the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso as a water specialist and assistant professor.
Kumar’s research program, Water System Dynamics and Resilience, will focus on holistic water resources systems dynamics modeling by integrating remotely sensed data in water quality and quantity simulation framework.
Kumar’s research emphasis will be regional hydrological systems and the development of resilient water management practices. His past research includes water resources data acquisition, water quality and quantity modeling, Total Maximum Daily Loads and presentation of information for actionable decision-making.
“Dr. Saurav Kumar’s education and recent research experience in the region have well prepared him to develop and lead a successful research program in hydrological system dynamics and resilience,” said center director Dr. Zhuping Sheng. “ This program will directly contribute to the strategic vision and priority goals for Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the El Paso Center and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. I am confident that Dr. Kumar will be an outstanding team member in successfully addressing the complex system issues related to water, natural resources, agriculture, ecosystem integrity and economic sustainability to benefit Texas, the nation and beyond.”
Kumar received his doctorate in civil engineering from Virginia Tech. He earned his master’s degree in environmental science and engineering through a joint partnership program between Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Stanford University.
He also has a research background in hydroinformatics and is the developer of the online water data sharing platform OccViz. His current research program will build on his past collaborative research projects involving experts from soil sciences, horticulture, agricultural and civil engineering, computers science, social science and other disciplines.
In his new position Kumar said he aims to maintain this diversity in research through collaborations across various colleges, departments and other centers. He will also be affiliated with Texas A&M University’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
