Dr. Amilcare Porporato

Professor

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Biography

Amilcare Porporato is the Thomas J. Wu '94 Professor of Civil Environmental Engineering at Princeton University and an associated faculty member at the High Meadows Environmental Institute. His research focuses on the quantitative description and prediction of complex dynamics within the terrestrial water cycle, emphasizing the impact of the hydrologic cycle's temporal and spatial variability on ecosystem processes. He employs both theoretical and experimental methods to isolate and describe the dominant dynamical components of physical and biological interactions. His specific areas of research include soil moisture-microbe-plant dynamics, mathematical modeling of biogeochemical cycles, soil-atmosphere interactions, and sustainable soil water resource management, particularly in semiarid ecosystems. His interdisciplinary approach integrates concepts from fluid mechanics, soil physics, plant physiology, statistical physics, nonlinear dynamics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, and complex systems science. Porporato has held concurrent appointments at prestigious institutions, including an adjunct professorship at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, highlighting his extensive collaboration and contributions to the field of environmental engineering.

Research Interests

Courses

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

Requirements for Princeton University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Speaking
Required:27
IELTS
Speaking
Required:8
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in engineering or science Strong background in mathematics, materials, physics, or related engineering
Application Checklist
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • Application Fee
Specialization Notes

GRE scores are not accepted. Ph.D. is the primary degree; students are not required to hold an M.S.E. prior to admission.