Derek Heeren
Professor and Irrigation Engineer Irrigation and Agricultural Water Management (IAWM) Education Coordinator, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Emphasis Area: Precision Irrigation Systems University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Contact
- Address
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CHA 239
Lincoln NE 68583-0726 - Phone
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BSE Front Desk - 402-472-1413
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derek.heeren@unl.edu
- Website
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Heeren Research Website
- Website
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Educational Programs in Irrigation
- Website
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Department of Biological Systems Engineering
- Website
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Water for Food Global Institute
- Website
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Irrigation Innovation Consortium
About Derek Heeren
The objective of Dr. Heeren's teaching program is to prepare students to be wise managers of irrigation, water resources, and agricultural systems. He advises undergraduate and graduate students and teaches courses in agricultural systems technology and agricultural engineering. Students working with Derek get hands-on experience with irrigation technology while working with industry partners. Derek published a textbook on Irrigation Systems Management, available at https://asabe.org/ism. He also has various leadership roles in ASABE and is the Irrigation and Agricultural Water Management (IAWM) Education Coordinator for the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI). For information on Derek's research, visit his research website at https://heeren.unl.edu/. Before starting graduate school, Derek spent two years working at a civil engineering firm in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. He grew up on a farm in southeastern South Dakota and developed an interest in conserving natural resources while participating in FFA land judging and natural resources competitions. He is married to Amber and has four children (ages 13 to 20).
Appointment
- 58% Research
- 40% Teaching
- 2% Service
Education
- Ph.D., Biosystems Engineering, Oklahoma State University, 2012
- M.S., Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, 2008
- B.S., Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, 2004
- Licensed Professional Engineer, State of Oklahoma
Certifications
• Ph.D., P.E.
Curriculum Vitae (CV):
Current Project on AI for Irrigation:
Learn more here.
Textbook: Irrigation Systems Management
More information: https://www.asabe.org/ISM
Areas of Research and Professional Interest
Research Interests:
- Irrigation engineering and management
- Sprinkler and variable rate irrigation systems
- Irrigation management based on remote sensing
- Nitrate leaching to groundwater
- International irrigation development
Teaching Interests:
- Agricultural systems technology (new major!)
- Irrigation systems management
- Agricultural engineering
- Natural resources and irrigation engineering
Courses Taught
- AGST 452/852 Irrigation Systems Management (fall semesters)
- AGEN/AGST 854 Irrigation Laboratory and Field Course (summer of even years)
- AGST 855 Advanced Irrigation Management (spring of odd years)
- AGST 462/862 Equipment Systems (spring semesters)
Honors and Awards
- Heermann Sprinkler Irrigation Award. 2023. Amercian Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
- Omtvedt Innovation Award for Teaching. 2023. UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- A. W. Farrall Young Educator Award. 2018. Amercian Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
- Distinguished Alumnus Award. 2017. Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University.
- ASABE Superior Paper Award. 2016. For the refereed journal article: Heeren, D. M., G. A. Fox, and D. E. Storm. Heterogeneity of infiltration rates in alluvial floodplains as measured with a berm infiltration technique.