Suat Irmak earns prestigious irrigation engineering award

Suat Irmak, professor and head of Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, received the 2026 Royce J. Tipton Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers during the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress in Mobile, Alabama. The award honors one ASCE member annually for significant contributions to irrigation and drainage engineering management. 

Irmak was recognized for his work advancing agricultural engineering, water and soil management, irrigation, drainage systems and technology adoption in agriculture. His research and outreach programs have focused on helping producers improve water efficiency, reduce energy use and strengthen environmental stewardship while supporting farm profitability. 

His research and teaching have influenced agricultural practices and supported federal conservation programs. Several of his research initiatives have been incorporated into USDA and EPA incentive programs. Irmak has been a member of ASCE for 26 years and was named a fellow of the society’s Environmental and Water Resources Institute in 2021. 

Photo courtesy of Penn State.