Dr. Keith Cherkauer

Biography

Keith Cherkauer is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University and serves as the Director of the Indiana Water Resources Center. He specializes in Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, focusing on the integration of field-based observations and remote sensing products to enhance hydrology models and address environmental change. His academic journey includes a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Augustana College, a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering with a focus on Environmental Remote Sensing from the University of Colorado, and a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington. Since joining the ABE department in 2004, he has contributed significantly to understanding land-atmosphere interactions within the hydrologic cycle, including analyzing the impact of snow, soil frost, and surface water energy balance in the upper Mississippi River basin. His recent research has also involved monitoring stream temperatures using aircraft and satellite-based thermal remote sensing.

Research Interests