By Blake Jackson
Suat Irmak, professor and head of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Penn State University, received the Royce J. Tipton Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers during the 2026 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress in Alabama. The award is one of the organization’s highest honors and recognizes major contributions to irrigation and drainage engineering.
The award recognized Irmak’s work in agricultural engineering, water and soil resources management, irrigation research, and extension education programs. His research and outreach efforts have focused on improving agricultural productivity while protecting environmental resources and reducing energy use.
“Suat Irmak is an accomplished scientist and educator who is a leader in soil and water resources engineering,” Troy Ott, Peter and Ann Tombros Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences said. “This prestigious award highlights his dedication to science and sharing knowledge through teaching and his large-scale, impactful research, extension and outreach programs.”
Irmak’s research programs have supported the development of practical technologies for agriculture and natural resource management. His projects have helped improve water conservation, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, strengthen water quality, and increase economic returns for agricultural operations. Several of his research programs have also been used in federal incentive programs connected to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Throughout his career, Irmak has delivered presentations to the U.S. Congress and worked with policymakers on agricultural productivity, climate change, and water resource management issues. He also became a fellow of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute in 2021 for his contributions to soil and water conservation and irrigation engineering.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award from the impactful professional society ASCE, which has done so much for the engineering discipline as well as communities, the nation and the environment for many decades,” Irmak said.
Irmak has mentored dozens of graduate students, researchers, and interns during his career. He also has published hundreds of research articles and presentations while securing more than $13 million in external funding for agricultural research and education programs.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-d-keine
Categories: Pennsylvania, Education