Dr. Vivek Sharma

Assistant Professor, Precision Water Management

Dr. Vivek Sharma is an assistant professor and precision water management specialist in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering department. Dr. Sharma received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering from the Biological Systems Engineering department at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 2014 and 2011, respectively. His B-Tech (Bachelor of Technology) is in Agricultural Engineering from Punjab Agricultural University, India, majoring in soil and water engineering. After completing his B-Tech, Dr. Sharma worked as an assistant manager in CLASS India Lmt. for one year. Before joining UF, Dr. Sharma worked as an assistant professor and irrigation specialist in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Wyoming.

Dr. Sharma’s integrated research and extension program addresses the application and development of precision agricultural water management technologies and strategies to (i) enhance/improve water use efficiency, (ii) reduce agricultural water use, and (iii) reduce the impacts of agricultural management practices on downstream resources, users and water quality. His areas of specialization include precision agricultural water management, aiming toward the quantification of crop water use/evapotranspiration (ET), irrigation scheduling and requirements, soil moisture sensing, soil and crop growth dynamics, crop water productivity (CWP), and impact of climate variables on agricultural productivity. Dr. Sharma uses multi-scale integration approach in his research by up-scaling field-level observations to regional-level using various remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) modeling approaches to aid in better decision making.

Dr. Sharma’s extension program focusses on development, promotion and adoption of economical and accurate tools and technologies in the area of agricultural water resources. The core idea of his extension programming  is to provide basic, advanced, and newer technologies and resources that assist producers, extension agents, and other clinetle to manage water resources efficiently, to reduce the impact of agriculture induced non-point source pollution on water resources and to increase on-farm water use efficiency.

Contact Information

vsharma1@ufl.edu

352-294-6725

Office:
237 Frazier Rogers Hall

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 110570
Gainesville, FL 32611-0570

Follow @VivekSharmaUF

• Research and Extension

  Departmental Research Area:

  • Land and Water Resources Engineering

  Research and Extension Focus:

  • Precision Water Management
  • Florida Agricultural Soil Moisture Sensor Network
  • Crop water use/ Evapotranspiration
  • Crop water productivity
  • Impact of integrated water and fertilizer management practices on ground and surface water quality.
  • Impact of climatic variability/change on crop water productivity.
  • Application of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for greater understanding and decision making in agricultural sustainability and water resources.
  • Collaborate, provide leadership and development of educational programs on water conservation, irrigation, water quality, and related issues.
• Education
  • Ph.D., Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2014
  • M.S., Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2011
  • B.Tech., Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-India, 2008
• Professional Experience
  • 2020 - Present
    Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida
  • 2016 - 2019
    Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Wyoming
  • 2015 - 2016
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • 2008 - 2009
    Assistant Manager, Manufacturing Department, CLAAS India Ltd.
• Publications
  • Google Scholar
  • Research Gate
• Awards and Honors
  • Larry W Turner Young Extension Professional Award, American Society of Agricultural and Biological System Engineers (ASABE), 2023
    • Given to recognize excellence in personal character and outstanding achievement in the following areas: 1) serving clientele by disseminating, sharing and applying engineering knowledge; 2) motivating clientele to acquire new knowledge, skills and understanding; 3) transferring research technology into practical, problem-solving applications; and 4) advancing the profession of agricultural and biological engineering.
  • Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award, American Society of Agricultural and Biological System Engineers (ASABE), 2023
    • For the paper entitled “Methods to Quantify in-field Nutrient Leaching”. ASABE Annual International Meeting Boston, MA.
  • Outstanding Young Researcher Award, Florida Section-American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), 2023
    • This Award honors dedicated use of scientific methodology to seek out facts or principles significant to agricultural engineering.
  • Irrigation Association, Irrigation E3 Leader Travel Award, 2019
  • ASABE Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award, 2019
  • ASABE New Face of ASABE, 2018
  • ASABE Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award, 2016
  • ASABE Superior Paper Award, 2014
  • Gamma Sigma Delta, Outstanding Graduate Student Award, 2015
  • University of Nebraska David H. and Anne E. Larrick Memorial Travel Fellowship Award
  • Nebraska Department of Natural Resources/Nebraska Water Center Assistant-ship award, 2012-2013
  • Bill A. and Rita L. Stout Outstanding International Graduate Student Award, 2012
  • Gold Medal, 2008
    Awarded in B-Tech. Agricultural Engineering for securing highest OCPA
• Other Professional Activities
  • American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • American Society of Agronomy
  • Soil Science Society of America