Dr. Haimanote Bayabil

Associate Professor - Water Resources lab in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Dr. Haimanote Bayabil is an Associate Professor of Water Resources in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida. He conducts his research and extension program at the Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) in Homestead. Dr. Bayabil holds a Ph.D. in Biological and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University with specialization in hydrology, and soil and water management.

His previous research has focused on topics that include irrigation scheduling; hydrologic and water quality modeling; field monitoring and modeling of hillslope runoff and erosion processes, and soil moisture dynamics; evaluating and developing of best land and water management practices; climate change impact modeling; and greenhouse gas flux monitoring.

Dr. Bayabil’s research and extension program at UF/IFAS TREC primarily focuses on developing practical and sustainable water management practices that conserve water and improve water quality in agricultural and urban areas with emphasis on improving water productivity of the agricultural sector, the largest consumer of fresh water, while at the same time enhancing crop productivity, water quality, and ecosystem services.

• Specific Research Areas of Interest
  • Improving water use efficiency of urban and agricultural areas through use of innovative technologies and practices
  • Assessing the impact of climate change on crop water requirements and water resources
  • Assessing the effects of land and water management practices on water quality and quantity using field observations and model simulations
  • Integrating field observations with remotely sensed data to understand soil moisture and evapotranspiration dynamics, crop water stress for different cropping and management systems
  • Understanding hillslope biophysical processes (e.g., runoff, erosion, nutrients etc.) at plot, field, and watershed scales through modeling and field observations.
• Graduate Student Opportunities

  Students who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree, should contact Dr. Bayabil directly at hbayabil@ufl.edu with their CV to express their interest. Ideal candidates will have a background in hydrology, environmental engineering, water resources management, and irrigation with strong programming and data analytics skills.

• Education
  • Ph.D. Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 2015
• Publications
  • Google Scholar
  • ResearchGate
  • Extension Publications
• Awards and Honors
  • 2024 University of Florida Water Institute Career Faculty Fellow
  • 2021 Outstanding Young Extension Award, issued by the Florida Section of the American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (FL ASABE)
  • 2020 Outstanding Young Extension Award, issued by the Florida Section of the American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (FL ASABE)