K-State Biological & Agricultural Engineering

We're proud to share that graduate students Kelechi Igwe, Torsha Goswami, Laura Krueger, and Menard Soni recently attended and presented their research at the UCOWR/NIWR Annual Water Resources Conference in San Antonio, Texas! Each student delivered a 15-minute research presentation to rooms of researchers and professionals, showcasing the impactful graduate work happening right here in our department.

All attendees received the Kansas Water Institute (KWI) Travel Award to support their trip. A special congratulations to Kelechi, who was also honored with the NIWR Great Plains Regional Student Travel Award. Additionally, Kelechi, Laura, and Torsha served as session moderators throughout the conference.

Student Spotlight:

As part of their senior design capstone project, BAE students Timber Neal, Chase Swanson, and Jack Scattini designed and installed a lift for an AgrAbility client whose business was impacted by an amputation. By providing safer and easier access to his payloader, the lift helps the client work more efficiently and minimizes stress on his joints. Through their innovation and hard work, this client will be able to continue to run his business for many years to come.

This spring and summer, graduate students from Dr. Vaishali Sharda's WARMMS Lab took science beyond the classroom, participating in four K-12 STEM outreach events across Kansas:

1. Family STEM Night at Kansas City Kansas Community College: where Alireza Monavarian and Kelechi Igwe talked to students and families about the impact of extreme precipitation on soils and landforms as part of a Kansas NSF EPSCoR activity.

2. Party for the Planet at Sunset Zoo in Manhattan: where Gloria Ramos and Mahekpreet kaur conducted activities connecting conservation, climate, and agricultural science with curious young minds.

3. Flint Hills Festival in Manhattan: where Mahekpreet kaur and Manavjot Singh engaged the public on climate extremes, infiltration and stormwater runoff.

4. 4-H Discovery Days on the K-State Campus: Alireza Monavarian, Kelechi Igwe and Manavjot Singh introduced high schoolers to hydrology, soil water, and water management.

The next generation of engineers and scientists solving food security, water scarcity, and climate adaptation may be in 4th grade right now. We're proud to help make sure they know science belongs to them.

The Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department and the Kansas Agriculture Safety and Health Program are proud to support the K-State Extension ATV Safety Program. Through recently sponsored instructor certification training, we're helping ensure youth and adults across Kansas have access to quality ATV safety education and hands-on training.

Help us welcome Rachel Pratt to the Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering! Rachel is a K-State Alum and will join the team as the Academic Program Specialist.

Congratulations to the Helwig Farms K-State Quarter Scale Tractor Team on a 4th place finish at the 2026 ASABE International Quarter Scale Tractor Design Competition in Bloomington-Normal, IL!

Competing against 24 universities, the team defended their streak to 4 consecutive top-4 finishes and 23 top-4 finishes in 29 all-time competitions. K-State leads all universities with 9 overall championships. A legacy worth celebrating!

Dr. Mark Wilkins, K-State Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department Head, is giving an invited talk at the 12th International Bioprocessing Association Meeting at Braga, Portugal in September. K-State Engineering

Two days left in the countdown to Day of Giving!

At the Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University, students and faculty are solving real-world challenges—developing sustainable food systems, protecting natural resources, advancing biomanufacturing, and designing technologies that improve lives.

Your support fuels hands-on learning, cutting-edge research, and student opportunities—from lab and field experiences to competitions and internships that prepare the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers.

Every gift helps us “bring solutions to life” and make a lasting impact on our communities, our environment, and our future.

Join us in making a difference on April 8th! 💜🌾

Interested in joining the BAE team?
Apply now! 👇🏻👇🏻

Academic Program Specialist - Manhattan, Kansas, United States About This Role The Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) is seeking an Academic Programs Specialist. This position provides administrative coordination for the undergraduate programs and/or graduate programs in BAE, serving as a point of contact to stud...

At the Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University, students and faculty are solving real-world challenges—developing sustainable food systems, protecting natural resources, advancing biomanufacturing, and designing technologies that improve lives.

Your support fuels hands-on learning, cutting-edge research, and student opportunities—from lab and field experiences to competitions and internships that prepare the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers.

Every gift helps us “bring solutions to life” and make a lasting impact on our communities, our environment, and our future.

Join us in making a difference on April 8th! 💜🌾