Prasanta K. Kalita

Education

• Ph.D., Agricultural Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
• M.S., Agricultural Engineering, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand
• B.S., Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India

Biography

Dr. Prasanta Kalita is a professor of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, and the Presidential Fellow of the University of Illinois System. A Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and Indian Society for Agricultural Engineering (ISAE), Dr. Kalita’s areas of research include water resources management and environmental sustainability, food security, and water quality. He is widely recognized for his excellence in teaching, research, and international engagement; he has worked extensively in educational development and capacity building, water resources, food production, and food security issues around the world.

Other Professional Employment

• University Distinguished Teacher Scholar
• Presidential Fellow, University of Illinois System
• Associate Dean for Academic Programs, College of ACES, 2016-present
• Director of ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss, 2013-2017
• Assistant Dean of Research, College of ACES, 2012-2016
• Professor, 2008-present, Agricultural & Biological Engineering Department, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
• Associate Professor, 2002-2008, Agricultural & Biological Engineering Department, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
• Assistant Professor, 1999-2002, Agricultural & Biological Engineering Department, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
• Associate Professor with Tenure, July 1999, Kansas State Univ.
• Assistant Professor, 1994-1999, Kansas State Univ.
• Post-Doctoral Research Associate, 1992-1994, USDA-ARS, Washington State University
• Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Feb-Jun 1992, Iowa State Univ.

Research Interests

• Water quality, environmental protection, water resources
• Water management and sustainability
• Food security, food loss, food waste

Honors

• Big Ten Academic Alliance - American Leadership Program, Class of 2016-2017
• Fellow, Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE), 2017
• Sheth Distinguished Faculty Award for International Achievement, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2015
• Honorary professor, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), China, 2013-present; and Honorary professor, Heibei Agricultural University, China, 2018-present
• Fellow, American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (ASABE), Kansas City, MO, 2013
• Paul A. Funk Recognition Award, College of ACES, University of Illinois, 2013
• Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising, College of Engineering, University of Illinois, 2013
• ASABE President’s Citation Award in Recognition of Excellent Leadership, Dallas, TX, 2012
• NACTA Teaching Award of Excellence, River Falls, WI, 2012
• Ben & Georgeann Jones Excellence in Teaching Award, ABE, University of Illinois, 2012
• Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising, College of Engineering, University of Illinois, 2012
• Faculty Award for Global Impact, College of ACES, University of Illinois, 2012
• Rose Award for Teaching Excellence, College of Engineering, University of Illinois, 2011.
• Engineering Council Outstanding Advisor, College of Engineering, University of Illinois, 2011.
• Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising, College of Engineering, University of Illinois, 2010.
• Senior Faculty Award for Excellence, College of ACES, University of Illinois, 2010.
• Ben & Georgeann Jones Excellence in Teaching Award, ABE, University of Illinois, 2008.
• ASABE President's Distinguished Service Citation Award, Minneapolis, MN, 2007.
• Distinguished Teacher/Scholar Award, UIUC, 2007.
• UIUC Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, 2007.
• NACTA Regional Outstanding Teacher Award, Vancouver, CN, 2006.
• Accenture Outstanding Engineering Advisor, College of Engineering, UIUC, 2006.
• Karl E. Gardner Outstanding Undergraduate Advising Award, College of ACES, UIUC, 2006.
• 2005 National Award for Excellence in College and University Teaching, USDA-Higher Education Program, NASULGC, and AASCU, Washington, D.C., 2005.
• UIUC Campus Award for Excellence in Guiding Undergraduate Research- Honorable Mention, 2005 and 2006.
• NACTA Teacher Fellow Award, Gainesville, FL, 2004.
• Outstanding Engineering Advisor, College of Engineering,UIUC 2004.
• Best Research Paper award, IASTED (Int. Assoc. of Sci. & Tech. for Development), Merina Del Rey, CA, Nov, 2003.
• Academy of Teaching Excellence Member, College of ACES, UIUC, 2003-2006.
• Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, College of ACES, UIUC, 2003.
• J.K. Mitchell Teaching Excellence Award, Agricultural Engineering Department, UIUC, 2003.
• Outstanding Engineering Advisor, College of Engineering,UIUC 2002.
• Teaching Excellence Award by the ASAE Student Club, UIUC, 2002.
• Collins Fellow, The Academy for Excellence in Engineering Education, College of Engineering, UIUC, 2001.
• Collins Scholar, The Academy for Excellence in Engineering Education, College of Engineering, UIUC, 2000.
• Certificate of Completion of Teaching College, College of ACES, UIUC, 1999.
• Included 3 times in Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1998, 2000, 2005.
• Outstanding K-State Instructor and Advisor, K-State Mortar Board, 1997.
• Most Outstanding Advisor of the Year, BAE Department, Kansas State University, 1997.
• Advisor of the Year, College of Engineering, Kansas State University, 1996.
• Included in Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, 3rd Edition, 1996
• Research Excellence Award, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 1992

Recent Courses Taught

• ABE 152 - Water in Global Environment
• ABE 199 CHP - Water in the Global Environ
• ABE 224 - ABE Principles: Soil & Water
• ABE 469 - Industry-Linked Design Project
• ABE 594 - Graduate Seminar
• ACES 299 A (ACES 299 Z) - ACES Study Abroad
• ACES 399 - Honors Seminar
• TSM 594 - Graduate Seminar