Isaya Kisekka

Isaya Kisekka is a Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Engineering. He serves as the Director of the UC Davis Agricultural Water Center of Excellence and as Graduate Program Admissions Chair. His work integrates hydrology, irrigation engineering, and sustainable agriculture to address water scarcity challenges.

Education:

• BSc in Agricultural Engineering, Makerere University, Uganda
• MS and PhD in Agricultural and Biological Engineering (Hydrologic Sciences), University of Florida

Dr. Kisekka's research focuses on developing precision irrigation technologies, simulation-optimization models, and management strategies to enhance water use efficiency, crop productivity, and environmental sustainability. His work spans from field-scale experiments to basin-level modeling, with applications in almonds, alfalfa, corn, sorghum, and tomatoes. He emphasizes climate change adaptation, groundwater sustainability, and minimizing nitrate pollution.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in integrated modeling (e.g., DSSAT-MODFLOW), precision irrigation (e.g., mobile drip, microirrigation), and climate-resilient agriculture. His work increasingly connects water management with bioenergy, food security, and policy.

Scientific Awards:

• 2022 ASABE Netafim Award for Advancements in Microirrigation
• Excellence in Education Award, Irrigation Association (2020)

Dr. Kisekka leads major research initiatives on groundwater sustainability and irrigated agriculture, securing significant grants. He mentors graduate students and collaborates widely across institutions. He previously served as Assistant Professor at Kansas State University, focusing on the Ogallala Aquifer region.

He leads the Irrigation and Water Management Research Group at UC Davis, which conducts experimental and modeling studies on soil-plant-water dynamics, fertigation, and salinity management. The team works on cutting-edge sensing technologies and decision support systems for farmers.