Benjamin R. K. Runkle
Academic Education and Professional Career
2020-present, Associate professor, Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas
2014-2020, Assistant professor, Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas
2013-2014, Fellow, University of Hamburg’s Center for a Sustainable University Post-doctoral College
2010-2014, Post-doctoral scientist, University of Hamburg, KlimaCampus, Institute of Soil Science, Research Group “Regional Hydrology in Terrestrial Systems” (Prof. Lars Kutzbach), Excellence Cluster “Integrated Climate System Analysis and Prediction CliSAP“
2005-2009, Ph.D., University of California – Berkeley, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Dissertation: “Plant water use and growth in saline soil environments”. Committee: X. Liang, J. Dracup, D. Baldocchi, G. Sposito. (Degree Dec. 2009). Funding through US NSF and UC-Berkeley Graduate Fellowships.
2003-2004, M.S., University of California – Berkeley, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
2001-2003, Research Associate, The Stockholm Environmental Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
2000-2001, Fulbright student scholarship, University of Mauritius, Mauritius
1996-2000, B.S.E., Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Degree awarded June 2000).
For publications click here.
For information on oSTEM at the University of Arkansas, an LGBTQ+ affinity group, click here.
Professional certification
PE license – Arkansas #18338 – awarded May 24, 2018, following exam in April 2018
Awards
2024 AGU Biogeosciences Section Sulzman Award for Scientific Excellence through Education and Mentoring
2024 Departmental Research Award, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas
2023 Departmental Student Service Award, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas
2022 Departmental Research Award, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas
2021 Honors College Distinguished Faculty Teaching and Research Award, University of Arkansas
2021 Departmental Teaching Award, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas
2020 University of Arkansas Alumni Association Faculty Rising Teaching Award
2020 Dean’s Award of Excellence- Collaborative Research Faculty Award, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas
2019 Early Achievement in Education Award, Biological & Agricultural Engr. Division, American Society of Engineering Education
2019 Recognition, Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, for Excellence in External Research Awards
2018 Distinguished Rice Research and Education Team Award, presented by the Rice Technical Working Group, 2018: “Advancing irrigation water management practices to achieve sustainable intensification outcomes”.
2018 Rising Teacher, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas
2016 Departmental Teaching Award, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas