Amilcare Porporato

Position
Thomas J. Wu '94 Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Role
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the High Meadows Environmental Institute
Office Phone
Office
E407 Engineering Quad
Education

PhD          Polytechnic of Milan, Italy, 1996.

MS           Civil Engineering, CPolytechnic of Milan, Italy, 1992.

Bio/Description
Concurrent University Appointments
  • Associated Faculty, High Meadows Environmental Institute
  • Adjunct Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University
Honors, Awards, DISTINCTIONS
  • Highly Cited Researcher, Web of Science
  • Hydrologic Sciences Award, AGU
  • Borland Lecture – Hydrology Days
  • American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fellow.
  • Inaugural Landolt Chair in Sustainable Development and Innovation, EPFL, Switzerland
Research INTERESTS

Dr. Porporato's research focuses on the quantitative description and prediction of the complex dynamics of the terrestrial water cycle, with special interest in the impact of the hydrologic cycle on temporal and spatial variability of ecosystem processes (eco-hydrology) and the related energy, carbon and nutrient cycles. He uses both theoretical and experimental approaches to isolate and describe the dominant dynamical components of these physical and biological interactions. Specific research areas focus on soil moisture-microbes-plant dynamics, mathematical modeling of biogeochemical cycles, soil-atmosphere dynamics, and sustainable use of soil and water resources (irrigation, soil salinization and remediation) with particular attention to semiarid ecosystems, both natural and agricultural. Because of the inherent interdisciplinarity of such problems, his research methods draw from fluid mechanics, soil physics, plant physiology, statistical physics, nonlinear dynamics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, and complex system science.

COURSES

CEE 587 / ENV 587 Ecohydrology
ENV 385 / CEE 385 Environmental Thermodynamics

Selected Publications