Conrad Heatwole, associate professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of associate professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive an emeritus certificate from the university.

A member of the university community since 1986, Heatwole made a significant impact on the improvement of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay through his work to develop and apply geospatial analysis tools for mapping, analysis, and modeling of watershed hydrology and pollutant fate and transport from field to watershed scales.

During his career, he received more than $3 million in external funding as principal investigator to support his research. He was the author or co-author of numerous journal articles, book chapters, reports, and conference papers.

In the classroom, Heatwole taught both undergraduate and graduate courses focused on nonpoint source pollution modeling and management and geographic information systems for hydrologic analysis.

He conducted summer study abroad experiences for Virginia Tech students and coordinated exchange programs with three Brazilian universities, providing scholarships for Virginia Tech students to study abroad.

Heatwole also led research and education programs in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Tanzania, and Zambia, focusing on capacity building through training and education and increasing the knowledge and expertise of host-country professionals.

Heatwole was a Fulbright senior specialist in environmental science at the Federal University of Espirito Santo in Brazil in 2005 and was a member of the Center for Watershed Studies team to receive the Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence in 2009.

Heatwole received his bachelor's degree and master’s degree from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida.

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