Auburn University’s Biosystems Engineering faculty and students garnered high honors and awards recognition through a prestigious international organization. Earlier this month, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and their international partners met for the annual conference in Ontario, Canada. Auburn was well-represented with 30 faculty and students attending the conference.
Auburn University faculty and students delivered 35 presentations highlighting the impactful work being conducted in the Biosystems Engineering department. Students and faculty also participated in research-based competitions, placing in a variety of categories.
Associate professor and Alabama Extension Specialist Simerjeet Virk was bestowed one of the ultimate accolades during the ASABE Conference: the Larry W. Turner Young Extension Professional Award. Virk uses his expertise to take innovative research straight from the field to Alabama’s agricultural producers. Virk’s passion to provide agriculturalists with research-based knowledge to improve production and simplify practices is his primary focus.
“My role is to evaluate various precision agriculture technologies through on-farm research trials as well as on the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Stations across the state,” said Virk. “That helps in testing these newer technologies in different production systems and also allow us to work with growers to demonstrate their benefits and real returns on investment on their farms.”
Virk’s goal of demonstrating how to best implement new agricultural technologies and practices has remained steadfast throughout his career. Virk received his master’s degree in the Auburn College of Agriculture Biosystems Engineering department before going to work in the private sector and later pursuing his doctorate at the University of Georgia. He explained that his devotion to education and outreach led him back to Auburn, where he could continue empowering communities through agricultural research and Extension programs.
“While I was a graduate student at Auburn, my mentor, Dr. John Fulton [currently at the Ohio State University], showed and trained me on how to conduct relevant, grower-centric research and develop an effective and impactful Extension program,” Virk said. “Being in his role now, I am honored to have been recognized for my Extension efforts by our society and my peers. Being part of this society since I started my career almost 15 years ago, it feels like I have come full circle, and it is very special to me.”
Virk and the Biosystems Engineering team rose above the competition, securing top honors in multiple award categories and cementing their status as leaders of the society. Department Head Oladiran Fasina recently completed his term on the ASABE Board of Trustees. At the same time, Professor Jeremiah Davis began his three-year tenure as an elected member. Biosystems Engineering faculty continue to serve ASABE as true change-makers in the society as they carry out esteemed leadership roles.
The Department of Biosystems Engineering, part of both the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture, participates in professional societies that promote interdisciplinary collaboration. These partnerships help strengthen the department’s influence in addressing agricultural and engineering challenges in an ever-evolving world.
Awards and recognition are important, but the department’s ultimate mission is to keep the biosystems engineering students involved and at the forefront, Virk explained. Preparing future leaders ensures that the department makes lasting contributions in research and teaching beyond the classroom.
“Our department is dedicated to providing opportunities for our students to grow professionally so they can succeed in their careers. Whether that means getting them involved in professional societies or encouraging them to participate in student competitions or internships,” said Virk. “We are shaping future leaders who understand the needs of the modern agricultural industry and are prepared to deliver the agricultural technology advancements and solutions.”
Below is the list of awards and recognition the Auburn team earned at the 2025 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Annual International Meeting:
Boyd Scott Graduate Research Award: Edith Ngoupeyou (PhD category) – 3rd place
Bioprocess Startup Competition: Vivian Usha, Edith Ngoupeyou, Natacha Kakama – BioCore Shield; 3rd place
Bioprocess Startup Competition: Ayden Kemp, Dale Hartman, Clay Dorrill, Privakana Boini, Sagar Kafle, Sudip Kapota – Bioseal Mulch; 2nd place
Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award: Linhoss, J., Dougherty, M. Davis, Jon and Megan Slatton for their work on Undergraduate Research Improving the Student Experience
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Board of Trustees: Jeremiah Davis and Oladiran Fasina
Larry W. Turner Young Extension Professional Award: Simerjeet Virk
